Brought the Model 15 no dash home. *Updated with pics

[mistermills357]

The Model 15.

That is a good gun, and the grips are Pachmayer Gripper, by the looks of them.
(I snagged a shot of the grips in my pic, from CheaperThanDirt.com)
These particular ones are for a Charter Arms revolver, but they serve my purpose.
(Pachmayer makes a lot of models, who can keep up with all of them?)
The original grips were wood, and probably slender. The Gripper is easier to hold, and is good for fast-fire; but the wood is better looking.
And if you get wooden grips, make sure they fill your hand, as thoroughly as the Gripper does.
Pachmayr Gripper Grips Charter Arms Small Frame Revolver Finger Grooves Rubber Black 02521

 

[ladder13]

This thread is in the wrong forum, that gun is either a ND or -1. I'm thinking -1 going by the serial number.

I ran into a -1 last week that was almost like new. Original stocks, speedloader and new holster(both of which I'd sell to lower the cost) @ 529. The 15-1 is really primo.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/418556-15-1-price-check.html

 

[raylan007]

There are no bad M15's

I think you scored a nice deal even if you payed $400. You can change the grips at your leisure, I doubt you will be unhappy with the pachmayrs unless it a fitting issue. If you don't mind going outside the realm of correctness check out some nice Ahrends in the Retro model, for $70 you can't go wrong. I would venture to guess you will never be selling this fine example of a M15 so do what you want to fit your personal needs. Here is a M15-2 I was lucky enough to have found. I have a few 4" and 1-2" and I am not finished. Try Terri at grippseller on ebay for the best selection of Ahrends. These are both 15-2's

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Here's a picture of my own pre-M15 Combat Masterpiece. It's called a "5-screw". See the screw head up by the rear sight? That's #5. There's another screw in the front of the trigger guard. That's #4.

Engine49guy think's you have a 4-screw. I think I can see #4 too. If that's the case, then you have an interesting variation. A 4-screw pre-M15. I think these were made for about one year, before the first Model 15's came out in 1957. BTW, that 4th screw was abolished in 1962 with the M15-4.

I'd love to have a 4-screw pre-M15, and do think it's rarity is worth a small premium over an otherwise similar Combat Masterpiece.

 

[gwalchmai]

Good job! If I had to pay the $425 asking, I would. Ebay is a good source of S&W wood. Have bought a number of sets there. Most of my revolvers wear target grips (SMITH, or Herrett) Just feel good to me. Do not have a 15, but a 67, no dash. (stainless 15) Good shooting guns. Post pics when you get her home and cleaned up. Bob

Bananaman, what model are those grips? They look great.

 

[linde]

. . . Can someone help with a Date of birth? Serial number K3999XX . . .

I would estimate late summer 1960.
Edit to add: a 1960 should be Model-marked 15 and have a 4-screw frame (screw in front of trigger guard) making this an even better deal.

. . . zooming in on the OP pic you can make out the large Ampersands and trigger guard screw and no visible groove cut behind ejector knurling all pointing to it being a 15 no dash, The updated post with serial confirms its in the model 15 (no dash) range . . .

This thread is in the wrong forum, that gun is either a ND or -1. I'm thinking -1 going by the serial number . . .

. . . Engine49guy think's you have a 4-screw. I think I can see #4 too. If that's the case, then you have an interesting variation. A 4-screw pre-M15. I think these were made for about one year, before the first Model 15's came out in 1957. BTW, that 4th screw was abolished in 1962 with the M15-4 . . .

We seem to all agree the OP is looking at (hopefully buying) a 4-screw but we have probably totally confused him on whether it's a pre-model, a model 15 (no dash), or a model 15-1. That's quite a wide range of speculation . . . even for being in the wrong revolver section.

Oh wait . . . I've got an idea . . . let's wait for the OP to bring it home and tell us what's stamped in the yoke cutout of the frame. I know . . . that takes all the fun out of guessing

Russ

P.S. Kernel, I think you meant the 4th screw was eliminated in 1961 with the 15-2.

 

[Jim NNN]

What information do I need to take with me as far as value and to figure out it's age?

I bought one similar to it for almost the same price within the last year - even had the same grips. Mine has a somewhat nicer finish, overall (very nice, actually), but a little bit muzzle wear, which the pictured gun doesn't seem to have. I felt lucky to get mine at that price, as I don't see all that many 15's...but I'd try to talk him down, first. Don't let a few bucks stand between you and what looks to be a great gun. Best wishes.

 

[Engine49guy]

IMO 4 screw "Non Model marked" K target site guns exist in the various models in 1957/58 in the K300000 -K319000 range but by 1960 and the K399900 range model marking is the norm.

 

[4barrel]

I could not stand just looking so I dug mine out made in 1959. I am the second owner and it belonged to a prison guard. Forget the 55 in the photo. I shoot it every month but not with the good grips. His # is a little later. 3999xx--383686-$425 looks like a fair price to me if the timing & lockup are good.

 

[MattO]

I"m headed to the bank to grab some $$$ and then headed to the gun shop to pick it up tonight. I'll be sure and post some photos of it later tonight. Thanks for all your help. I'll even post it in the right forum since I now know it's an older than I thought gun.

 

[ladder13]

I"m headed to the bank to grab some $$$ and then headed to the gun shop to pick it up tonight. I'll be sure and post some photos of it later tonight. Thanks for all your help. I'll even post it in the right forum since I now know it's an older than I thought gun.

Matt, you can ask the mods to move it.

We still want to know what dash it is.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

P.S. Kernel, I think you meant the 4th screw was eliminated in 1961 with the 15-2.

Your right. I was thinking of dash numbers for the M10.

 

[Otreb]

Great revolvers, my highest mileage center fire is 15-2.

 

[MattO]

My new Model 15 no dash

I stopped at the LGS the other day to look at a trade in rifle they got in. I peeked into the used case and saw a Model 15. I honestly don't know a lot about classic Smith and Wessons. However it called to me. I didn't get my Rifle I was looking at. The money was spent on this instead. It's no safe queen by any means. But what a sweet trigger and nice looking rig for something much older than me. I will be taking it to the range next week to run some rounds through it and see how it does.

MJO_9181 by MattOphotog, on Flickr

MJO_9183 by MattOphotog, on Flickr

MJO_9184 by MattOphotog, on Flickr

MJO_9185 by MattOphotog, on Flickr

MJO_9186 by MattOphotog, on Flickr

MJO_9187 by MattOphotog, on Flickr

MJO_9190 by MattOphotog, on Flickr

 

[papajohn428]

That's SWEET!

No Model 15 is a bad choice, I didn't know I needed one until I found a badly abused 15-3 at a fair price at a LGS. I talked them down a bit because the rear sight blade was dinged up and it had a lot of finish wear, but I still got a good deal. Since it was cosmetically challenged, I decided to round-butt it, to accommodate customized stocks that fit my "little girly hands" better.

It's one of the better shooters I own, and it will stand up to a steady diet of warmish 38 loads, all my handloads are Plus-P level to simulate factory defensive loads, something it will probably never see, but that's how I roll.

 

[MattO]

It's great to see such love for this model Revolver. until I posted this, I had rarely seen a Model 15 mentioned. It seems it was the work horse of many Police departments.

 

[Ohsheepdog]

My favorite center fire gun to shoot is my well-worn 5 screw CM! You'll love it...welcome to the club!

 

[linde]

MattO

Congratulations . . . you will enjoy taking that Model 15 to the range.

The ejector rod appears to have been replaced so it may have been reconditioned by a previous owner. If you're not comfortable checking it out, have a qualified gunsmith do it for you.

Russ

 

[MattO]

Russ I'm curious what makes you think the ejector rod has been changed? I have a friend who is a smith at the Range. I'll have him go over it before I shoot it next week.

 

[gwalchmai]

The bluing on the rod isn't worn consistently with that of the barrel. Typically the rod loses blue faster.