My brother recently gave me as he says "an old S&W" pistol. It turned out to be a Model 15-3 K38 Combat Masterpiece with the 4" barrel, Serial number 3K559XX. Looks wise it has seen it's better days. Shooting wise, it still locks up tight and shoots awesome!

I would like to find out the date of mfg on this gun. What could it be worth? What should i do with this gun, i.e. re-blue, re-finish, restore, etc., etc. or just keep it around in it's present condition for a solid fun shooter?

I have included pictures to show you the current condition of this gun.

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Hi
First, you have one of the best revolvers that S&W ever made. The Combat Masterpiece is highly thought of by any of us who ever owned or shot one. I personally carried one for my two years in SE Asia and qualified as Expert Marksman with it. I have a few in my collection now and never tire of shooting them.

The 3K serial numbers were issued over a period of two years; 1971 and 1972. Yours, at 3K559XX, fits into the 1972 period of issue (3K31280 - 3K99999).

I would point out that the stocks shown in your picture are not original to your Model 15-3. That style, with the diamond at the screw location and the sharp shoulder were made and sold only from 1946 until sometime early in 1953. The sharp shoulder went away in 1953 and the diamond disappeared in about 1968.

Incidentally, your brother is a little bit confused. No one of my age is going to agree that your gun is "old." By the time it left the factory, I had completed my two tours and was back in the World with my wife and baby.

Enjoy your S&W revolver. It may not be pretty any more, but it is still a fine sidearm!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

The latter. Keep it as it is and shoot it a lot.

In that condition, not a whole lot. Maybe about $300 or a bit more.

On the other hand, the stocks by themselves are probably worth $100.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I've never seen a 15 with a thin trigger.Thought they were all target triggers.

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Remain Viable

I vote let it be. Keep it clean and shoot it often.

Keep it clean, keep it oiled and shoot it often.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Don't fiddle with! Shoot the snot out of it and appreciate it as the best 38 special revolver ever made. My personal favorite.

Just put new shoes on this old war horse; 1957 pre model Combat Masterpiece.

free upload image

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Jack, if you do decide to have your 15 refinished, there's only one place to go - Smith and Wesson. I've had 3 revolvers refinished in the past year and a half and have been exceptionally pleased with each job. For the high polish finish the price was $288 for each one. I don't imagine it has gone up much if it has. Anyway, the model 15 is a great shooting piece so enjoy yours.

I also vote for keep it as is. They are great shooters so oil it and enjoy!

Standard hammer & trigger were the norm. Target hammers/triggers could be special ordered or were added later.

Probably Oct/Nov time frame 1972. Normally, I don't advocate refinishing worn guns. In this case, where your investment is zero, it might warrant a trip back to the mothership for refinishing. I'd have it nickeled, but restoring the blued finish would also be nice.

Nice gun. I like this kind of project. A good shooter that needs to be spruced up. I would have it reblued. While I enjoy a mint gun all the time, I really enjoy fixing stuff up; cars, guns etc. Not so much with women though...

First off, congratulations! The Model 15 is definitely one of my all-time favorites. I agree with those who have posted previously---shoot it. That's what it was made for. Good luck and enjoy.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

A Combat Masterpiece was my first centerfire handgun back in about 1962. Traded it for a Ruger .357 Blackhawk. Recently acquired a 15-3 and a 15-6. They are excellent shooters and remind me of that first S&S.

Welcome to the FORUM! What can I say, that hasn't been. If you ever decide to do some blue touch-up, there are advanced (home) methods that are not bad. It will never look new though. I have a 67 no dash, which is the stainless version of yours. They are good guns. Enjoy it! Bob

Nice gun & picture! Your stocks are cool too! I have a N set like it for my 28, no dash. Feel great to me. Have always liked skip checkered. Bob

PoppyJack:

Welcome to the Forum.

Congratulations on your new revolver. You're lucky - the only thing my (youngest) brother ever gives me is grief. Case in point, a few years ago, our mother died, and she had asked him to dispose of all of her household goods. Said goods included her nightstand gun - a Model 64. I told him I would be happy to pay him the market price for this revolver as a remembrance of mom. He told me he had already made an even trade with it for a...Taurus!

As far as your Model 15 goes, personally, I'd have it refinished as others have recommended. I'd either go with a nickel finish, or a brushed chrome (matte). If you do decide to have it refinished, be sure to remove and keep the grips before sending it off. That way there is no chance they'll get "misplaced".

Good luck,

Dave

Yeah, I have to agree with Jack on this one. I picked up two M15 police trade-ins from J&G supply about 10 years ago and if memory serves, they were $259 a piece. BEST BARGAIN EVER!

They were both broken in nicely, no rust, just holster wear. They are both DAO actions. I should find out if they were delivered that way from the factory or were converted by the department armorer. I do not know what department they came from.

They both shoot like a house afire! Love them. My only gripe is I wish I had asked them to pull two with smooth trigger faces. As it is, I got one of each and my son has already put claims on the smooth face one!

WOW! Guys, I really appreciate all the comments/feedback. Time to grab a few boxes of .38 and head to the range. Best regards all.

Bob

New to this forum! Purchased a 15-3 Combat Masterpiece today and I’m thrilled. Original box with SW document enclosed along with cleaning tools, still sealed. Everything looks perfect! Box is like new. Doesn’t appear to have ever been fired. Absolutely gorgeous revolver! Called SW and they said it was manufactured in 1970. I’m 6’3 and my EDC is a 4’ 686-plus 357… also own a
38 bodyguard, 629 .357 Classic and a 629 6’ barrel 44 mag deluxe… can’t get enough SW! BUT… this 15-3 has immediately earned #1 spot for me!! It’s all in such pristine condition, I’m just going to keep it safely tucked away in my gun safe… and admire it often!! Gun shop said it was consigned it to them to sell…$599.00!!! It’s in such perfect condition I would’ve paid $1,000.00 easily! Anyway, enough rambling!!

Very neat gun, a classic, I would leave as is, keep it cleaned and lubed and shoot it

Model 15's were made to be shot. Here's two 15-3's and what they were intended for.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I have a shooter grade Model 15-3 and it is one of my very favorite S&Ws!

Not completely true, IMO.

Turnbull Restoration will do as good or better job than any of the mfgrs will on refinishing.

Haha maybe so but they’ll charge you a couple grand for their efforts.

That's the spirit, off to the range. I carried a 4" for a couple of years as a service firearm and still own a 4" and a 2". Shot the 2" yesterday and no problem keeping them all in the black.

Enjoy and shoot your 15 often.

Al

The M15 S&W made prior to the late 1990's is probably my favorite S&W revolver. Oh, I've got plenty of different models, barrel lengths and frame sizes for different calibers and purposes, but the M15 could be the best all around, well made, useful revolver the Company ever made. I also find it extremely accurate and easy to shoot while being utterly reliable and comfortable for almost everyone's hands.

I do own larger frame guns made by S&W but they are much heavier, harder to hold and holster all day long and no more accurate than the M15. The J Frames are great for CCW concealment however when it comes to shooting them accurately you pay the price for it's diminutive size and light weight. Shooting a J frame a hundred rounds or more can be a bit uncomfortable as well.

So your M15 is the best or one of the best they ever made! As far as it's condition and refinishing it is concerned, that has drastically changed in the last decade. The prices have really skyrocketed, people doing meticulous work have gotten harder to find and when you do find one the wait times are ridiculously long. Shipping has become real hassle and expense and loss has become a real concern. If the revolver is mechanically sound and no other repairs are required, yes you could spend the money and time to refinish it. If the gun has any sentimental value or is a family revolver, then do what your heart tells you to do. I too have spent money an a few guns that did not monetarily pay to refinish, but because they will always be in the family, I did not want to pass down a "rusty dog".

You will get many people that say just keep it as is, for what it is and tell you not to refinish. So it all comes down to you, your financial position and how long you can wait and be patient. I hope you do enjoy shooting it! Let us know what you decide.

Not at all. Depends on the condition of the gun before they start.

Not to mention, one gets what one pays for. I've seen examples of their work & it's simply breathtaking, IMO.

Lastly, one doesn't HAVE to order the Top Tier treatment on their gun either.

I see a LOT of complaints about Smith's warranty work. Guns going back for the same issue multiple times, etc. I can't say how much is true because I wasn't involved. But I've NEVER heard of complaints about Turnbull's work. Ever.

My .o2

I am a never refinish opinion guy.
To put it simply
If you have a $1000 collectible gun and pay $500 to have it refinished, it will now be worth $500!
If you have a $300 beater pay $500 to refinish it will then be worth $300.

Refinishing ( some rare exceptions like turnbull’s first class and extremely expensive) is always lost money. Shoot it and enjoy it.

This was with an M15-3 shot just a few weeks ago at our indoor Range shooting 158 grain RNL standard velocity.

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Try to keep it greased and clean, and shoot it frequently.

The first 5 shots with my 1954 Combat Masterpiece were all bullseyes. The 6th shot went an inch high because I was giggling so much.

This is a 15-3 that was almost that rough that I bought about 35 or so years ago. My son was 10 and got interested in shooting IPSC along with me so I started him out with a 2206 Smith. He quickly grew into it and was ready to move up in caliber when a gunsmith friend said he’d taken in this 15-3. The price was right so I decided to spruce it up. I had it need blasted and electroless nickel plated, the front sight replaced and a very slick action job done. It’s really been tgrough the ringer but still looks and shoots as good as the day I picked it up from the smith. My son will eventually get it but for now I’m enjoying it.

As to refinishing and not recovering the cost if you sell, I buy guns for enjoyment not as an investment. Shooting is a hobby not a business and I accept that I may loose money if I sell a gun. My decision to refinish and replace the sights, for me it added value. The value wasn’t necessarily monetary but it did improve performance and added visual appeal as well as adding an element of protection from the elements.

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Can't do any harm, can it? Cold blue usually wears off anyway with use and handling. All that shiny bare steel would distract me.

Congrats on getting a great shooter. It is a little ugly, and I really don't like ugly guns. If it were mine, I would seriously consider spending $300 or $400 to get it professionally refinished. Never mind what folks say about the value. A nicely refinished Model 15 will still bring $500 to $600. If funds are a concern, I would take to the worst areas with some extra fine steel wool, and do a cold blue finish myself. I did one on an old rifle my brother had. I headet the parts with a hair dryer before applying the bluing, and did several coats. Turned out pretty nice. If you do cold bluing, the gun will never be worth what it might with a professional finish, but it won't be ugly anymore.

Enjoy it no matter what you decide.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

They are marvelous revolvers. If the appearance doesn't give you heartburn, let it be; especially if you intend to sell it someday. If it's a lifelong keeper, as mine is, consider a reblue. As OldChief suggested, keep Smith and Wesson in mind. Turnbull does, from what I've seen, superlative work but at a price! It wouldn't hurt to get a quote from either or both to aid your decision.

Two threads in one! The OP hasn't been here for 7 1/2 years...

Several years back Turnbull Restoration stated they would not work on S & W revolvers, but a quick check of their website today makes no mention of this. Perhaps they'll accept one now, or tell you no if you ask.

Post #21 is from a new member who doesn't need to refinish his ANIB model 15.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220