An Unusual Model 15

[s3dcor]

I attended the Great Falls Montana gun show last weekend and found a nice
revolver. The old man said "it's a Model 15." I looked it over but could not read the model number on the crane. I explained to the man that it had to be a model 14 because that's the way they were. Well, we settled on $475 and I was on my way. I did notice the beautiful non-relieved target diamond grips, SCORE.

So, when I get home with a magnifying glass I see it is marked 15-5 with a AVC serial number and the SCSW shows indeed that is correct and it was made in 1986 and there was a transition where M14's were discontinued and M15 made a few in 6" & 8 3/8".

I find very little info about them on the web or this forum so I think this is a great find for me. I have several M15's, but this is the first long barrel for me.

Look forward to your comments.


https://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=734402&stc=1&d=1745862665

 

[murphydog]

The models 15-5 through -7 were essentially model 14s made after the latter was discontinued. These have the heavy, wide rib model 14 style barrel that the earlier model 15s did not.

The 6” and 4” are much more common than the 8 3/8”.

 

[s3dcor]

After I cleaned the revolver and replaced the grips.

https://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=734434&stc=1&d=1745871001

 

[Breakaway500]

You bought the grips (k frame non relieved diamond targets) and got a gun for free! Well done.

 

[-BTM-]

I need to start paying more attention, this is news to me. Good news.

Also just noticed the 2” versions have that square frame at the top like a stubby 19.

 

[Exchipy]

… just noticed the 2” versions have that square frame at the top like a stubby 19.

Well, this one started out as a 2” Model 15. But then, something happened:

 

[CALREB]

2" inch 15s have always had the square top strap like a 14. It's actually thicker than a regular 14, to get the rib and front sight to regulate or something like that. Have a 4" 15-6 to match up with my 17-6. All nice guns

 

[BarryinIN]

Well, this one started out as a 2” Model 15. But then, something happened:

I know it’s not, but the proportions and front sight make that look like a High Standard .22 target pistol barrel!

 

[Exchipy]

I know it’s not, but the proportions and front sight make that look like a High Standard .22 target pistol barrel!

It’s a prefab’d Clark Custom barrel, made by them from a Douglas 1:10 twist .357 blank. The front sight, I hand filed out of eighth inch thick steel, which I then epoxied into an eighth inch slot milled into the barrel.

 

[Exchipy]

2" inch 15s have always had the square top strap like a 14. It's actually thicker than a regular 14, to get the rib and front sight to regulate or something like that. Have a 4" 15-6 to match up with my 17-6. All nice guns

M14s have a bit of contouring at the front end of the topstrap, which the 2” M15 doesn’t have, making the 2” M15 a better candidate, aesthetically, for installation of a heavy PPC barrel. 4” M15s have even more contouring. Also, the rear sight assembly on 2” M15s extends all the way to the front end of the topstrap, which is not the case with 4” M15s and 6” M14s, which all stop a bit short of the front end.

 

[s3dcor]

OP here, I have one of those Clark custom revolvers on a Model 19-2 frame.

 

[RebCop]

At one time I owned two S&W's that were identical one was marked M-14 and the Other M-15.