Can anyone help ID this revolver?

[MoBigAl]

No access to the serial number right now but hopefully someone can tell me what this is and the value.

 

[rincar]

It appears to be a S&W Model 15 Combat Masterpiece. Or an early version of the Model 15. It could even be foreign Copy of the Model 15.The grips have been tampered with.

 

[murphydog]

It appears to be a .38 Combat Masterpiece from between 1949 - 1957, with an aftermarket front sight base and blade, a Millett rear sight and later Target stocks.

 

[rbmac52]

Looks to be a 5-screw .38 S&W Special Combat Masterpiece with an aftermarket Millett rear sight and a factory Target Hammer. The front sight is not the standard factory type one would normally find on this gun (a Baughman ramp on ramp base).

The grips are factory but are not original to the gun and a much later vintage. The butt plate was a popular addition by police officers back in the day.

I put the value at $500 on the low end, maybe higher to the right buyer.

 

[Truckman]

I'll only note the addition of a non-factory trigger stop......Ben

 

[MoBigAl]

It appears to be a S&W Model 15 Combat Masterpiece. Or an early version of the Model 15. It could even be foreign Copy of the Model 15.The grips have been tampered with.

This was my initial assessment also. It's in .38 special and the buttplate was attached by the cop that carried it in the 60's-70's.

What's a fair value?

 

[pawncop]

I have seen that style of butt plate on some law enforcement revolvers, most notably on Houston PD guns.

I have no idea if Houston issued Model 15's.

 

[MoBigAl]

Looks to be a 5-screw .38 S&W Special Combat Masterpiece with an aftermarket Millett rear sight and a factory Target Hammer. The front sight is not the standard factory type one would normally find on this gun (a Baughman ramp on ramp base).

The grips are factory but are not original to the gun and a much later vintage. The butt plate was a popular addition by police officers back in the day.

I put the value at $500 on the low end, maybe higher to the right buyer.

Well, $500 is exactly what I was thinking too. The front sights are King and this revolver may have been worked on by the King shop. I think they were pretty renowned in the 50's-60's for their action jobs.

 

[B_Still]

what was the purpose of the butt plate modification? just reinforcement for strength? or for a striking surface?

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[rbmac52]

what was the purpose of the butt plate modification? just reinforcement for strength? or for a striking surface?

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I've heard various explanations:

To protect the base of the grip from damage

To tack up wanted posters

Headknocking

 

[Truckman]

what was the purpose of the butt plate modification?

The screws normally held a metal identification plate (badge number, department ID, etc)...Makes a dandy headknocker, and tends to leave a distinct mark for later identification......Ben

 

[Xfuzz]

HPD never issued S&W model 15's...
The butt plate IE..."ego plate" as stated... normally
had the officers name and badge number engraved.

 

[Walter Rego]

Are the barrel roll marks too far to the rear for it to have originally been a K-38 Masterpiece ? A cut barrel would certainly be a reason for the new front sight. And I wonder why someone would go to the trouble and expense to replace the factory micrometer rear sight which is certainly a good one under normal use.

 

[rbmac52]

Barrel roll marks look to me to be positioned correctly for a 4" K-frame.

Millet rear sight was a popular aftermarket accessory for target shooters, as was the king front sight. Both probably done at the same time by a previous owner.

I can't tell for sure from the pictures, but it may be that the factory front sight ramp and blade were separate from the barrel and affixed with two pins in the barrel rib (before they became forged and integral with the barrel). Maybe someone more knowledgeable about early Combat Masterpieces can offer clarity on this.

 

[MoBigAl]

Here's a better look at the front sight

 

[Peak53]

Yes, as mentioned above, the gun is not in original condition. So what. It was modified to someone's liking, obviously for shooting. Funny how King sights on N frames draw a bunch of wow!, but not so much on this K frame. But, I'll place a bet right now that it is a dandy of a shooter. I think the $5 bill estimate is a bit low.

 

[Muley Gil]

I have seen that style of butt plate on some law enforcement revolvers, most notably on Houston PD guns.

I have no idea if Houston issued Model 15's.

These butt plates were popular in the Birmingham, Alabama area back in the '80s. Some were 1/4" thick brass and had badges, names and also the S&W logo engraved upon them.

 

[mscampbell2734]

Learn something new every day. I had never seen or heard of the buttplate and I started in LE at the tail end of the revolver era.

Of course where I work we just used the barrel, converting to a full profile bull barrel was very very popular, to persuade people to get with the program. The side would raise a knot, the blade would require a trip to the County ER for some stiches.

 

[rincar]

Yes a barrel Swung with the proper amount of speed was a good persuader. Just watch out for those Grey Hound buses loaded with gawkers. That stop to watch.

 

[cgt4570]

The King's mirror front sight and Millett rear sight would cost at least half the value of the revolver if someone was looking for them.
A very nice period modified Combat Masterpiece. I wouldn't be embarrassed to have it in my safe.
I would put correct period stocks on it, though.
I have a similar set of stocks in my stash with an aluminum head knocker on the bottom.
They were referred to as 'Bear Butt' grips back in their day