Need Info About An Old Model 15

[mhl6493]

A friend of mine invited me to stop by his house this morning if I had time. I did, and knowing my love for revolvers, he gave me an old Model 15 (no dash). Obviously, from the pictures, it hasn't exactly been babied. I was hoping to glean from the vast knowledge of all you S&W revolver aficionados some info about this gun.

1) I'd love to know approximately when it was made/shipped. I don't think my friend was the original owner, but he seemed to think it was 50 or so years old. Don't know if it goes back that far or not. Anyway, it's a Model 15-no dash, and the Serial Number is K345xxx. If any of you can help me on this, I'd be grateful.

2) Depending on the age, is this a gun rated for +P?

3) The finish is pretty beat up. Is this nickel, or stainless? Is it possible for stainless to show this much and this kind of wear?

4) I was planning on giving it a good once-over with Ballistol this afternoon, before I do anything else. If it's nickel, is this OK?

5) I would love to have this thing restored as closely as possible to what it once was, both externally and internally (if needed - not sure how to tell just by looking at it). But I don't feel like I have the knowledge or skill to do it (unless is it was fairly easy), and I'd hate to do any more damage to it. What would y'all recommend I do? Is there someone who had a good reputation for restoring old revolvers without breaking the bank?

I'm sure I'll think of a thousand other things, but that's all I can come up with to ask at the moment. I'm thrilled and honored that my friend has given me such a gift, and I want to do what I can to take maximum advantage of it.

If you can think of anything else I might need to know about this particular gun (or the model in general), I'd love to hear it. I've learned so much from perusing this forum over the last year, and I appreciate the knowledge and wisdom that's shared here.

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[GunarSailors]

It's from around 1958... +P is just fine. And that is Nickel.

[mhl6493]

Originally Posted by GunarSailors

It's from around 1958... +P is just fine. And that is Nickel.

Thanks. What's the best way to clean up nickel finish? Is Ballistol OK, or will it cause even more damage?

[damienph]

That's a good friend. A model 15 would only be Blue or Nickel. Stainless would be a model 67. Actually, I think that it looks pretty good. I've used very fine automotive polishing (not rubbing) compound and Mother's Mag polish to lightly buff nickel. I have a few old top break revolvers that hax worst rust than yours, I polished the rust off and left the steel in the white and it blended in with the remaining nickel fairly well.
I am interested in the cutout on the left stock.

The model 15 is one of my favorites. Enjoy it!

[mhl6493]

Originally Posted by damienph

That's a good friend. A model 19 would only be Blue or Nickel. Stainless would be a model 67. Actually, I think that it looks pretty good. I've used very fine automotive polishing (not rubbing) compound and Mother's Mag polish to lightly buff nickel. I have a few old top break revolvers that hax worst rust than yours, I polished the rust off and left the steel in the white and it blended in with the remaining nickel fairly well.
I am interested in the cutout on the left stock.

The model 15 is one of my favorites. Enjoy it!

Thanks. I hadn't noticed the cut-out until you mentioned it. It fits my thumb perfectly. Did the grips come like that, or was it done by the owner?

[GunarSailors]

Originally Posted by mhl6493

Thanks. I hadn't noticed the cut-out until you mentioned it. It fits my thumb perfectly. Did the grips come like that, or was it done by the owner?

It was done by someone after it left the factory.

[growr]

Personally I LIKE S&W's with character and attitude....clean it, shoot it, grin and repeat!!

Randy

[mhl6493]

Originally Posted by growr

Personally I LIKE S&W's with character and attitude....clean it, shoot it, grin and repeat!!

Randy

Thanks, Randy. Given the significant marks and nicks in the nickel finish, what would you recommend cleaning it with so as to avoid any further damage?

[jsfricks]

I would go over it with Mothers Mag Cleaner, available at most automotive stores and Walmart. That will bring a good shine back. There's nothing you can do about the pits in the metal. The amount of buffing required to remove that would leave the gun looking like it was an obvious refinish. Shine it up and apply some Johnsons Paste Wax (Lowes or Home Depot $8 a can) and go out and enjoy it. You could replace the grips by putting a WTB ad on this forum or look on Ebay if the cutout bothers you but keep those grips if they number to the gun.

[raylan007]

I HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT THE COST OF A NICKEL RE FINISHING JOB BUT DUE TO IT BEING A GIFT MAYBE THIS IS AN OPTION. JUST A THOUGHT.
MODEL 10-6 BACK FROM S&W

[mhl6493]

Originally Posted by raylan007

i HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT THE COST OF A NICKEL RE FINISHING JOB BUT DUE TO IT BEING A GIFT MAYBE THIS IS AN OPTION. JUST A THOUGHT.
MODEL 10-6 BACK FROM S&W

Thanks. I may give the folks at the Performance Center a call and see what they say. If I e-mail them the pics, maybe they can give me some idea of what restoring it might cost.

[mhl6493]

Well, so much for the Performance Center idea. I sent Customer Service and e-mail, and just got this in response:

"Dear Customer,
Unfortunately we cannot work on firearms manufactured before 1959 and the no dash version of the Model 15 was manufactured before that date. The finish is too far gone as well. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Smith&Wesson values its customers and we are happy to have served you today. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require further assistance.
Regards, Ashley"

Oh well, maybe I can find somebody else who would do the same thing the PC would have done. Or, as they said, maybe it's too far gone to do anything, though I find that hard to believe...

[mhl6493]

I was just thinking, since this gun was made/shipped in or around 1958, maybe this should be moved to the "1896 to 1961" section. Not sure if it would get more traffic/responses there or here...

[Retired W4]

Yep, even if the gun were newer I doubt S&W would tackle a refinish as there is too much metal to remove due to the pitting. How is the bore and chambers, lock up and timing? This could be a good shooter.

[mhl6493]

Originally Posted by Retired W4

Yep, even if the gun were newer I doubt S&W would tackle a refinish as there is too much metal to remove due to the pitting. How is the bore and chambers, lock up and timing? This could be a good shooter.

The bore and chambers all look good, and the lock up and timing seems fine. I may just clean it up, shoot it, and enjoy it. The only thing I may invest in is getting a gunsmith locally to take it apart and give the internals a good cleaning. No way I'm taking that side plate off myself - I'd never get it back together...

[Retired W4]

Sounds like an excellent plan.

[fat tom]

Originally Posted by mhl6493

I may just clean it up, shoot it, and enjoy it.

There ya go!
f.t.