Another 15-2

[manderson]

Just walked in the door with this 15-2 and took some quick photos. I can't believe the condition. The grips are not original, but they are the only thing wrong with it. I took them off and they have $5.00 marked inside, so someone snagged a cheap set just to get something original back on the gun. Otherwise, the gun is like brand new, just needs a cleaning. Anything in the photos is glare or dust. Here's the unbelievable part, only $460 total including shipping and FFL transfer fee, from GunBroker, and only one bid! I can't believe one of you forum members didn't snag this away from me. I'm staying away from the hi-res pic, high price auctions. This auction had two photos and the description was: Used Nice Condition Smith & Wesson Model 15-2 38 Special Revolver,6 shot.4" Barrel.

I've been watching pretty close and it's hard to find 15-2's in this condition. There are more 15-3's, but even those are getting scarce.

Serial number is K48713x. I am guessing year of manufacture is around 1964-65. I would appreciate if someone can confirm this.

What really has me befuddled is what happened to the original grips? I could understand if the gun was really used, but this gun has hardly, if ever been fired. So why remove the original grips if you aren't going to shoot it? Oh well...

My only other question out of curiosity, were the original grips numbered to the gun during this time period?

Looks like there are K frame square butt magnas all over eBay at decent prices, or I'll post a WTB on the forum here. May as well get a nice set to match the gun.

 

[Engine49guy]

Im guessing more like late 1962 to 1963 ish,
Magna grips were numbered inside the right grip panel when your gun was made which continued until the mid 70's.

The correct era grips would be Walnut diamond Magnas with tapered shoulders, the ones on it in the pic are 70's era .

 

[jackvs1]

I have a 15-2, K573340, shipped in 12/64, with original numbered grips, exactly like Engine49guy described.

 

[manderson]

The correct era grips would be Walnut diamond Magnas with tapered shoulders

Thanks. A quick check makes me think a nice set could be a bit expensive. At first I thought the originals wouldn't be worth removing to sell separately, but I could be wrong. Not saying it's what happened here, but I still hate it when they do that.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Thanks. A quick check makes me think a nice set could be a bit expensive. At first I thought the originals wouldn't be worth removing to sell separately, but I could be wrong. Not saying it's what happened here, but I still hate it when they do that.

Probably were discarded during the great Goodyear craze. That's a nice one to be sure! I have only found dash three's around here and have two of em.

 

[Bluecoat76]

Beautiful! Good going.

 

[raylan007]

Accidental or unscrupulous sellers ? Me thinks Both

I don't think it is unusual somewhere in the process of changing hands for a seller to abscond with the premium diamond magna grip and claim ignorance when selling it. I purchased a beautiful M15-2 that came as yours did with the dime a dozen incorrect magna grips. It didnt keep me from buying as a result of not really liking the fit for my hand size but I really would have liked to have had the original and probably could have if the gun had been listed for a $100 higher. I put these Altamonts on it just due to having them and they turned out to be a very poor fit so I sold them and will probably end up going for function and beauty with a pair of retro Ahrends, something I can depend on, this is one more reason I am glad not to be a true collector of boxes, docs, matching this and that. If I see the beauty in the revolver that is sufficient, the rest is just the gilding the lilly.

 

[Bob L]

Great Find and a beautiful Model 15.

 

[manderson]

I don't think it is unusual somewhere in the process of changing hands for a seller to abscond with the premium diamond magna grip and claim ignorance when selling it. I purchased a beautiful M15-2 that came as yours did with the dime a dozen incorrect magna grips. It didnt keep me from buying as a result of not really liking the fit for my hand size but I really would have liked to have had the original and probably could have if the gun had been listed for a $100 higher.

...this is one more reason I am glad not to be a true collector of boxes, docs, matching this and that. If I see the beauty in the revolver that is sufficient, the rest is just the gilding the lilly.

That is a beautiful 15-2 you have there.

I'm with you, and happy as a clam with the excellent condition of the revolver. But I easily would have paid an extra hundred for the original grips. I didn't realize this happened as much with Smith & Wesson as it does with Colts. Those older Colts are always being raped for the full checkered stocks.

This is my other 15-2 from 1966. I'm guessing it also has the wrong "dime a dozen" magnas.

 

[trashy]

You have 2 very nice 15-2's. I believe it would be worth finding the correct diamond magnas.

 

[jackvs1]

Well since this may be a show in tell, here we go; my 15-2 with box & numbered grips.

 

[manderson]

You have 2 very nice 15-2's. I believe it would be worth finding the correct diamond magnas.

It would be nice. What I am seeing are not worth the asking prices in my opinion. I'm really not sure what a reasonable price is for a good condition set. I'll get a few searches going and see what pops up.

 

[Glynngaddy]

Really glad you found what you were looking for

 

[g8rb8]

Congratulations. Nice revolver.
re: your serial # K48713x
It does not look like anyone has provided a firm date to you so here goes:
From the SCSW (Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson)-
1962 K468099-K515478
I think everyone else has effectively answered the correct grips are walnut Magna style with diamonds around the screw escutcheon and, yes, they would have been numbered to the gun. Another option would be diamond target grips with relief cut out in the top of the left grip which I have infrequently seen on revolvers such as yours.

 

[bananaman]

Super nice 15's! You will find the right grips for it if you are patient. I myself don't have a 15, but do have a no dash 67. Enjoy your fine Smiths! Bob

 

[raylan007]

The Whole Enchilada

Well since this may be a show in tell, here we go; my 15-2 with box & numbered grips.

Now were talking!. I can't seem to convert to a full box and docs collector so I try to remain content with the gun only. I have picked up a couple of boxes correct to the revolver but without the paperwork. I think I would prefer to throw the extra $50-$100 bucks toward a nice pair of new stocks since I have a hard to fit grip. I do have more than a few grips correct to the gun but they are all in a box having been replaced by Ahrends and a few others. What you have is a very beautiful presentation of a model 15, Congratulations!

 

[raylan007]

I try and give mine equal attention

Super nice 15's! You will find the right grips for it if you are patient. I myself don't have a 15, but do have a no dash 67. Enjoy your fine Smiths! Bob

I to have both and if you close your eyes NOTE: empty chambers, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference, same great action. I am always on the hunt for both, at the present more toward the 67's which I know were made in a very small quantity compared to the 15's and the M67 is defiantly on the rise, especially the (no dash) which is what I would like. I have seen more than a few more expensive than the new release M67.

 

[JP@AK]

Since we are talking about the Model 15-2 and appropriate stocks, I thought I'd throw in a picture of a 3T Model 15-2 I received as a gift from my dad when he was still with us. I love diamond Magnas on guns that shipped with them, but I consider myself very fortunate to have this one with its original diamond targets on it. This one shipped in 1966.