15-3 I was ready to buy, but now not so sure. Need help…

ChargerBill · Jul 15, 2026

I’m not exactly new to buying Smith & Western revolvers, but after taking a closer look at some photos I took of this gun, I’m a bit concerned. I put a deposit on it, but haven’t started the paperwork. It’s a model 15–3, snub nose, 38 special. It’s pinned and has a nosed hammer… so it checks a few of the boxes. My concern is that the blueing is pretty even and nice, but now that I look at enlarged images, I see all of these scratches and grinding marks under the blued surface. Is it possible this gun was reblued even though it looks factory finished? It just doesn’t look right to me, or maybe I’m being too picky. Were there factory grind marks under the blueing on these later revolvers?

TJm15.38 · Jul 15, 2026

I'm no expert, but I think the gun has been refinished.

Retired W4 · Jul 15, 2026

The top of the letters on the right side of the barrel appear to be dished out. They look like little pennants on the top left side where the polisher pressed down a bit too much. Otherwise a pretty good job.

series guy · Jul 15, 2026

it looks like the original finish to me. The displaced metal around the logo and letters still looks proud.

Greyman50 · Jul 15, 2026

Maybe a Monday or Friday one? Some places on it look questionable but others look fine....

C3Ranger · Jul 15, 2026

As you can tell from the first several comments, opinions are split. Still a good looking example for the age. Depending on cost, I would add it to my assortment.

gmarshall99 · Jul 15, 2026

Buy it.

Ameshawki · Jul 15, 2026

Normal wear and tear for a gun that has been used. I don't see that as a refinish. Actually pretty nice shape for a used gun.

Retired W4 · Jul 15, 2026

Greyman50 said:
Maybe a Monday or Friday one? Some places on it look questionable but others look fine....

I suppose the items I mentioned above could have been done at the factory. The logo does look good.

I don't think you are being too picky Bill. You have to be at all times.

ken158 · Jul 15, 2026

No refinish on that gun. Scratch looking marks look like kydex holster marks. My finish concern would be on the sideplate side of gun behind recoil shield where it looks like it was rubbed with something abrasive possibly to remove some surface rust? You didn’t include price so it could or could not be a good deal.

wterrell · Jul 15, 2026

This does not appear to be a refinished gun. The proud edges around the lettering and numbers does not appear to be polished or buffed. The sharp edges around the trigger area are not rounded from buffing or polishing.

H Richard · Jul 15, 2026

It depends on what you are intending to buy, a collectable to sit in your safe or a gun you actually shoot. These are hard ti find, but if you want Pristine you might want to look a little further. If you want a gun to love, carry and shoot, grab it. The 15-3's are known great guns. They often double as competition guns.

Retired W4 · Jul 15, 2026

If you enlarge the photo you can see about 20% of the ampersand is gone on the left side. I guess Joe Schumk could have been on the polishing wheel that day. I'm sticking with a very well done re-blue. I would still pay $500 if function is good.

Spurdann · Jul 15, 2026

Looks refinished to me, for 5 bills I would be on the fence.

MajorD · Jul 15, 2026

Spurdann said:
Looks refinished to me, for 5 bills I would be on the fence.

I am going with refinished, but considering how hard 2” 15’s are to come by I would be happy at 500

keithpip · Jul 15, 2026

Looks original to me. The side plate convinced me.

bigggbbruce · Jul 15, 2026

That's not refinished. Ymmv.

ChargerBill · Jul 16, 2026

Here’s what threw me for a loop: All the scratches you see are blued… the gun doesn’t show any shiny spots at all. They look silverish in the photos, but those are just reflections. I’m so unsure either way that it makes me uneasy.

The scratches I’m referring to are not the superficial scuffs… but the ones where they look like metal has been displaced. Could it be that someone filled in scratches? But then how would they match so well?

They're asking $800, and I think I might back out of the deal. The store owner has a 60 minute 2006 30 gun American Security safe in really nice shape, and my safes are full, so I may just reapply my deposit to that safe. I’d try to get them down to $500, but I think getting the owner/consigner to take $100 off might be hard enough.

I appreciate all the input.

ChargerBill · Jul 16, 2026

If this is all wear, how is it still blued?

kraynky · Jul 16, 2026

It also appears that the cylinder turn line is still blue. ? I still think it's a nice hard to find example that appears very lightly used. I'd like it better at $600.

Rpg · Jul 16, 2026

That’s a $700 gun to me. 2” 15’s are wonderful shooting guns.

Bald1 · Jul 16, 2026

No chance I’m paying $800.

Hawg Rider · Jul 16, 2026

It appears to be a decent 15-3, but $800 might be a little too pricey. I have a minty 15-2 snubby and it's a great shooter, so if you can get the price down on that 15-3 it would be a good buy. Interesting that there is no s/n stamped with the model number in the cylinder yoke recess...is that normal?

Redwood32R2 · Jul 16, 2026

Hawg Rider said:
It appears to be a decent 15-3, but $800 might be a little too pricey. I have a minty 15-2 snubby and it's a great shooter, so if you can get the price down on that 15-3 it would be a good buy. Interesting that there is no s/n stamped with the model number in the cylinder yoke recess...is that normal?

My 1970 15-3 snub does not have the serial number in the yoke recess. Just says Mod 15-3. Not uncommon with S&W revolvers, I have a Model 58, 2 Model 49,s and 2 Model 19-4,s that all have no serial number in the yoke recess.

Dave Haynes · Jul 16, 2026

MajorD said:
I am going with refinished, but considering how hard 2” 15’s are to come by I would be happy at 500

In Calif you just don't see these. $800 would be fine. You didn't see them 30 years ago, otherwise I'd own one or a similar Kit gun..

Retired W4 · Jul 16, 2026

Here is what I was referring to in post #13.

handejector · Jul 16, 2026

Retired W4 said:
Here is what I was referring to in post #13.
View attachment 896313

That roll die is worn and chipped. Those flaws are not from buffing.
What vintage (serial #) is the gun?
There were many finish problems in the very late 70s and early 80s.

KenTheHunter · Jul 16, 2026

C3Ranger said:
As you can tell from the first several comments, opinions are split. Still a good looking example for the age. Depending on cost, I would add it to my assortment.

Markings, lettering and logo appear sharp. No rounded edges, etc. I think that’s the original blue

Xfuzz · Jul 16, 2026

I think that is the original finish.
Cylinder notches still sharp.
About the right amount of bluing left on the ejector rod.
But 8 Bens is abit high.

ChargerBill · Jul 16, 2026

I went and talked to the gun shop today, expressed my concerns. They agreed that the finish wasn’t S&W’s best… but they were pretty adamant that it was factory. I guess considering the issues that Smith & Wesson was having back in the late 70s and 80s, there’s a chance that it just wasn’t done as well as others have been. They took $100 off of it… also added that it comes with its original serial number matching box in pristine condition, and a period correct holster. Kind of sweetens the deal a little bit, so I’m going to stick with it.

Thanks again everyone.

15-3 I was ready to buy, but now not so sure. Need help…

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