I am looking at a S & W Model 15-2 38 Special revolver, would like to know of the year before purchasing, also wondering what price range it should be. The Serial # is K4951XX. It does have holster wear on the barrel, not in mint condition by any means, but looks to be a good shooter. Any help is appreciated.
Serial number look up for a 15-2
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familyman357oh
Member
Should be 1962.
Smith&Wesson K Frame Serial Numbers by year of manufacture
I can't really speak to the value; so much depends on condition.
Smith&Wesson K Frame Serial Numbers by year of manufacture
I can't really speak to the value; so much depends on condition.
You didn’t mention barrel length. The snubby is going to be worth a bunch more everything else the same that the 4 or 6”. You’re probably looking at a $450 gun. I see lots of 15 priced in the high $500 range but they sit.
The 2" Model 15-2 wasn't available until 1964. There were no Model 15-2 units with factory 6" barrels.
Welcome to the Forum! The K38 Combat Masterpiece was manufactured between 1949-1957, and then became the Model 15 Combat Masterpiece from 1957-1999. The only barrel length was 4" until 1964 when the 2" was added. The 15-2 was introduced in 1961, and yours (s/n K4951xx) is from 1962. This is an interesting time for the Model 15s, as many were purchased by the USAF and other gov't and law enforcement agencies. Have you checked that revolver closely for any agency stamps (U.S.A.F., DPS, CID, etc.)? The USAF in particular purchased large numbers of 4" bbl. 15-1, 15-2, and 15-3 revolvers from 1960-1969. Any military provenance would greatly increase its value. We have a 2" Model 15-2 that was the EDC for my wife's grandfather...a Calif. LEO and Chief of Detectives. The frame (s/n 509199) was manufactured in the middle of the production range of the rare U.S.A.F. 2" Model 56 (500001-515205), but the 2" barrel wasn't commercially available until 1964...when this particular revolver was shipped. Chances are that our revolver was supposed to be part of the U.S.A.F. Model 56 production (15,205 revolvers) but ended up going to the police instead, and it does not have the "U.S." stamp. Apparently most Model 56s were destroyed by the gov't. and only a few survive. In it's described condition, and if the price is right ($450-$500), I wouldn't be afraid to take a chance on that Model 15-2. Good luck with your decision.
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I’ll buy every 15-2 you can show me for $450 around here. Unless it was in a house fire. But things are just different here in NY.
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StrawHat
Member
Snooze, lose.
Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure about the shipping date is to request an Authentication Letter. S&W is known for shipping out of order and not shipping in numerical order.
Kevin
Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure about the shipping date is to request an Authentication Letter. S&W is known for shipping out of order and not shipping in numerical order.
Kevin
