I recently looked at what the seller advertised as a 16-3, but instead of caliber 32 it was 38 special. He said he had contacted Smith and Wesson and they said because of slow 32 caliber sales, some of the last 16-3s were made as 38 specials. As the cylinder lengths are the same between the two calibers, I would think the change could be made with a cylinder and barrel swap out.

The model number of the gun is the issue. It appears to my eye to be a 15-3, but the top of the '5' is rounded more like a 6. The back of the '6' is open, so it looks more like a 5. So I am not completely sure of the model number. The gun serial numbers to 1971. I see no obvious evidence of a barrel change.

Does anyone have any info on model 16s being made in 38 special, from the factory? The seller is going to re-contact Smith and Wesson for more info, if available. He is also trying to contact the previous owner for a copy of the registration. The seller was not asking a lot for the gun, so I thought it might make a conversation piece and a good shooter, if it is indeed a model 16. Thanks for help.

It is not unusual for a particular frame to be used for multiple different calibers, If the 16's were laying there not needed, the shop foreman would move them to the Mod 15 assembly. Most often the # was overstamped. Several years ago I saw a Mod 14 in Single Action only with a Mod 16 frame overstamped to Mod 14. The "6" was clearly visible under the "4".

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Strictly the same frame could be used for any center-fire cartridge available for the K-Frame. The only difference between the standard barrel Model 15 frame and all others which used the heavy profile barrel is two small "nicks" in the top front corners of the frame to better match the narrow rib. Late Model 15s have a heavy barrel and an identical frame to the Model 14 and Model 16.

Since S&W models are defined by their characteristics, not the model number stamped in the frame, since the gun is, I assume, a 4" barrel, target sights and .38 Special caliber you have a Model 15 that may be mis-marked as a Model 16, but nonetheless is still a Model 15.

Instead of guessing at what you can see with the naked eye, get a magnifier and look at the stamp, it should be obvious what the model marking is then.

Thanks for info. I did look at the number with a magnifier and my old eyes could almost see both a 5 and a 6. So, H Richard may be correct, that the factory did an overstamp of a 16. The gun does have the Baughman front sight of a 15, rather than the Patridge front sight of a 16.