Combat Masterpiece and early Model 15 questions...

[jonh1373]

Prior to 1957 the model 15 was the combat masterpiece or pre-15. The S&W book says the the magna grips were the standard fitted stocks.
First question, could an early gun be ordered with target grips?
Second, if target grips were ordered, did they have to have the target hammer and trigger also or were they separate order items?
Next, were the trigger and hammer case hardened on early guns or when did they become standard, if they did, on the model 15?
Can someone post some pics of any early combat masterpiece/model 15 guns please?
Thanks in advance.

 

[JP@AK]

Prior to 1957 the model 15 was the combat masterpiece or pre-15. The S&W book says the the magna grips were the standard fitted stocks.

Model marked guns didn't show up until 1958. They retained the name, with the model number added to it.
And yes, Magna stocks were standard.

could an early gun be ordered with target grips?

Yes. They became an extra cost option when introduced c. 1950.

if target grips were ordered, did they have to have the target hammer and trigger also or were they separate order items?

The three target options were entirely separate. Target hammers and stocks became available first, then the triggers.
All four configurations are seen: no target options at all; target hammer, standard trigger, Magna stocks; TT and TH, Magna stocks; 3T.

Next, were the trigger and hammer case hardened on early guns

Case hardened trigger and hammer were standard for decades. Only in recent years did MIM come along.
The issue is more complicated on the stainless models. I'll not try to spell that out.

 

[vrichard]

Prior to 1957 the model 15 was the combat masterpiece or pre-15. The S&W book says the the magna grips were the standard fitted stocks.
First question, could an early gun be ordered with target grips?
Second, if target grips were ordered, did they have to have the target hammer and trigger also or were they separate order items?
Next, were the trigger and hammer case hardened on early guns or when did they become standard, if they did, on the model 15?
Can someone post some pics of any early combat masterpiece/model 15 guns please?
Thanks in advance.

Early 4 scew model 15--ser.# K342608 (maybe 1958) top model 67
bottom model 15-- DIck

 

[Truckman]

Can someone post some pics of any early combat masterpiece/model 15 guns please?

I've shown this one before, so I won't clutter the thread with many pics...My Model 15 lettered as having shipped 6/16/1960 exactly as shown with 9 others just like it......Ben

 

[wfmiller]

Old thread but my 15 was purchased when I left the crotch in 71', that was my very first pistol I purchased at the age of 19 living in Hawaii enjoying life. I remember living at one place on top of this hill with one other house and shooting at mangos growing wild and hitting the suckers. Became friends with a guy from the Corp who was on the pistol team and used to give me cases of hardball 38 ammo lol. Probably shot over 50k rounds through this weapon and only had it to the smith once for timing as it spit badly after so many rounds;. Only weapon I currently own (5 gun safes) that I memorized the serial number lol....

 

[JP@AK]

Okay. Since we are coming back to this thread, I'll add a photo.
This is a Model 15-2, shipped in June 1966. It has the target trigger and hammer but came from the factory with Magna stocks. I have the original box and stocks. The GA target stocks shown are from a Model 19-2 of the same era. The picture shows the way this .38 Combat Masterpiece was configured when I got it from my dad a couple decades ago. I didn't find the box and Magna stocks until after he passed away.

 

[VaTom]

My 1974 Model 15-3. Factory grips numbered to revolver. .375” “semi target” hammer.