RobertJ.
Member
Excellent photo and article!
I love the Model 10, and have always considered the Combat Masterpiece the "Model 10 Deluxe".
I love the Model 10, and have always considered the Combat Masterpiece the "Model 10 Deluxe".
Combat Masterpiece!
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With advancements in ammo, the 38 Special is a better performer today than it was in past decades.
In 1977, I stood amazed when ushered into the gun vault at the Missouri State Highway Patrol range at General Headquarters (GHQ) by Roy Bergman, who was in charge of firearms training at the time.
Then Sgt. Bergman let me look through the neatly stacked two-piece blue boxes, arranged four high and ten across, for a total of 40 new or near-new Model 15s on one shelf, and the same arrangement on a different shelf of Model 18s, which they used at the beginning of training until a recruit was ready to move up to 38 Special ammo. These revolvers, I was told, remained in the vault and were used in training, and later in the course of training, recruits would be issued the actual revolver they would carry on duty. That was quite a sight to behold, because, at that time, I had never seen that many of the same model stacked up like that.
I recall that the wax paper was gone from each box, and the cleaning kits that came with the revolvers were assembled, the brass bristle brush on the S&W cleaning rods, and all were laying in a tray or two on tables used for cleaning the revolvers.
Later considered a big no-no, but at the time they used WD-40 for both cleaner and lube and it was in large plastic bottles with a typical squeeze handle sprayer at the top. Cleaning consisted of "slathering" WD-40 all over the exterior and down the barrel and charge holes followed by a quick scrub of the barrel and charge holes with the S&W brass bristle brushes, followed by an exterior wipe-down with a shop rag and patches in the bore and charge holes. A quick process indeed. Sgt. Bergman inspected each revolver before it went back in its two-piece box and back on the shelf.
That same room had an armorer's assembly work station with parts drawers and S&W armorer's tools neatly arranged. Those drawers had a big supply of all of the parts needed to maintain the revolvers except frames, barrels and cylinders. All of the internals were represented in those little drawers, and any firearm could be repaired for common conditions of timing, etc. right on the spot. If replacement of a major component was required, the revolver would be sent to S&W. Sgt. Bergman did real duty action jobs, the S&W preferred way, the same way the factory trained him. As might be imagined, it did not involve merely replacing some springs from a "kit" and calling it a day. Judicious stoning and polishing made the actions he did very good indeed, but completely reliable in ignition.
Back in those days, much shooting was done in the classic NRA Bullseye stance, with some shooting in an isosceles two-hand stance when shooting the PPC.
Sorry for the long post, but seeing that beautiful Model 15 brings back memories. Sgt. Bergman retired as a Captain, and although he kept himself in excellent physical shape, he passed away suddenly in 2010 at 75 years of age, and without warning of an aneurysm, I believe. No way to predict it, no way to deal with it in most cases. Terrible loss.
Here is Bergman (on the right) after a lunch with him at Madison's in Jefferson City, Missouri just a few months before he passed away. Russ, George and I were treated to a great number of the "old stories of the road" during the extended lunch meeting.
In 1977, I stood amazed when ushered into the gun vault at the Missouri State Highway Patrol range at General Headquarters (GHQ) by Roy Bergman, who was in charge of firearms training at the time.
Then Sgt. Bergman let me look through the neatly stacked two-piece blue boxes, arranged four high and ten across, for a total of 40 new or near-new Model 15s on one shelf, and the same arrangement on a different shelf of Model 18s, which they used at the beginning of training until a recruit was ready to move up to 38 Special ammo. These revolvers, I was told, remained in the vault and were used in training, and later in the course of training, recruits would be issued the actual revolver they would carry on duty. That was quite a sight to behold, because, at that time, I had never seen that many of the same model stacked up like that.
I recall that the wax paper was gone from each box, and the cleaning kits that came with the revolvers were assembled, the brass bristle brush on the S&W cleaning rods, and all were laying in a tray or two on tables used for cleaning the revolvers.
Later considered a big no-no, but at the time they used WD-40 for both cleaner and lube and it was in large plastic bottles with a typical squeeze handle sprayer at the top. Cleaning consisted of "slathering" WD-40 all over the exterior and down the barrel and charge holes followed by a quick scrub of the barrel and charge holes with the S&W brass bristle brushes, followed by an exterior wipe-down with a shop rag and patches in the bore and charge holes. A quick process indeed. Sgt. Bergman inspected each revolver before it went back in its two-piece box and back on the shelf.
That same room had an armorer's assembly work station with parts drawers and S&W armorer's tools neatly arranged. Those drawers had a big supply of all of the parts needed to maintain the revolvers except frames, barrels and cylinders. All of the internals were represented in those little drawers, and any firearm could be repaired for common conditions of timing, etc. right on the spot. If replacement of a major component was required, the revolver would be sent to S&W. Sgt. Bergman did real duty action jobs, the S&W preferred way, the same way the factory trained him. As might be imagined, it did not involve merely replacing some springs from a "kit" and calling it a day. Judicious stoning and polishing made the actions he did very good indeed, but completely reliable in ignition.
Back in those days, much shooting was done in the classic NRA Bullseye stance, with some shooting in an isosceles two-hand stance when shooting the PPC.
Sorry for the long post, but seeing that beautiful Model 15 brings back memories. Sgt. Bergman retired as a Captain, and although he kept himself in excellent physical shape, he passed away suddenly in 2010 at 75 years of age, and without warning of an aneurysm, I believe. No way to predict it, no way to deal with it in most cases. Terrible loss.
Here is Bergman (on the right) after a lunch with him at Madison's in Jefferson City, Missouri just a few months before he passed away. Russ, George and I were treated to a great number of the "old stories of the road" during the extended lunch meeting.
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gtoppcop
Member
Wonderful Guns indeed. I wish that S&W would attach the old monikers to their guns. Names like Combat Magnum, Combat Masterpiece, Distinguished Combat Masterpice, Military and Police (revolver-type) are names that conjer the images of reading the old Gil Hebard catalogs from the 60s.
I have a 1975-vintage 13-1 that I'm going to have a Camp Pendleton-area trophy shop engrave: .357 MILITARY AND POLICE on the smooth backstrap. I will then fill it in with gold leaf paint for a nice nod to the past. With a set of Spegels (with open backstrap), it should be a decent-looking piece.
I have a 1975-vintage 13-1 that I'm going to have a Camp Pendleton-area trophy shop engrave: .357 MILITARY AND POLICE on the smooth backstrap. I will then fill it in with gold leaf paint for a nice nod to the past. With a set of Spegels (with open backstrap), it should be a decent-looking piece.
deserttrans
Member
Here is my 15-3, with 3 tees.
jsfricks
Member
This Pre 15 will soon be in my stable. A very early one shipped in August of 1950 to Gen. George Van Orden.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I grabbed a k38 combat masterpiece 4" and a k38 target masterpiece 6" barrel. These are my pride and joy older s&w revolvers there both pre model numbers.
What other barrel lengths did these come in?
What other barrel lengths did these come in?
sac-gunslinger
Member
I was at an NRA instructor's school back in the early 80's, worked hard to shoot perfect score with my 1911. Just for drill, I took my M67 (a naked Combat Masterpeice?) to the line. With no practice, no special ammo, no special stocks, I shot wihtin one point of my best 1911 score. Now that is a "user friendly" gun.
As I thought about this over the years, this convinced me to sell my 45s. I shoot only 38/357 now, still loooking for an M15 for general shooting use. My primary gun is an M66 with 2 1/2" barrel, arguably a descendent of the Combat Masterpiece.
As I thought about this over the years, this convinced me to sell my 45s. I shoot only 38/357 now, still loooking for an M15 for general shooting use. My primary gun is an M66 with 2 1/2" barrel, arguably a descendent of the Combat Masterpiece.
The Combat Masterpiece, later called the Model 15, was probably the ultimate expression of the classic .38 Special medium-frame revolver from Smith & Wesson. Although the basic frame and rudimentary lockwork originated way back in 1899, the Combat Masterpiece debuted in 1949. It was designed to double as both a defense piece and a target arm, and it certainly filled the bill.
It was equipped with the latest S&W adjustable rear sight, and the front sight was the classic Baughman ramp model for a snag-free draw. The hammer was either semi-target or target, and the trigger came in various styles as well. This revolver was made back in the heyday of S&W production care, and the parts were hand-fitted to assure smooth and proper function. The Magna-style stocks were individually fitted to the frames. The barrel rib was grooved, as was the rear sight topstrap and the back of the grip frame. The bluing was superb; that classic S&W blue-black color that was so deep you could swim in it. A trigger overtravel stop was incorporated. The K-frame seemed to be just about right in the hands of most folks; it was neither too light nor too heavy. The .38 special was a proven round that most people could handle well, both accurate and sufficiently powerful for self-defense.
This revolver was indeed a "masterpiece."
Production of the piece continued for 50 years, finally terminating officially in November of 1999, although some special editions were subsequently made.
The revolver pictured here is a Model 15-3, which I estimate was made in 1971. It has a semi-target hammer and a grooved trigger. The stocks are numbered to the gun on the inside. This is a particularly nice specimen, virtually untouched after so many years; I acquired it just recently.
I thought I'd share a picture of this classic revolver; a somewhat larger one is available in the pictures and albums section of the forum.
John
Wow! I'm glad that one was brought back.
Frank46
US Veteran
Been to more than a few gun shows and very rarely do I see model 15's up for sale. When I did they went for what I feel is overpriced and not exactly in the best of shape. To sum it up "them that has then aren't going to let them go anytime soon" 'Nuff said.And yes I have one. Frank
I disagree about the 10s and CMs being the quintessential S&W .38 revolvers.
I'm a lifelong Colt fan and find the Smith K frames to be the quintessential .38 revolvers, PERIOD. Regardless of make.
For me, they are the perfect size and are perfectly balanced.
Hell, I'd go as far as to say the CM is the quintessential DA revolver.
It's just so perfect. It's equally at home as a duty gun or a target gun.
Usually, there are compromises. Better at one, not so great at another.
With the CM, there seem to be no compromises.
I got lucky. Somebody had traded what became my 15-3 in on a Glock (BARF).
I got a good deal on it.
I ain't letting it go.
Damn sure, not for a stinking Block.
I'm a lifelong Colt fan and find the Smith K frames to be the quintessential .38 revolvers, PERIOD. Regardless of make.
For me, they are the perfect size and are perfectly balanced.
Hell, I'd go as far as to say the CM is the quintessential DA revolver.
It's just so perfect. It's equally at home as a duty gun or a target gun.
Usually, there are compromises. Better at one, not so great at another.
With the CM, there seem to be no compromises.
I got lucky. Somebody had traded what became my 15-3 in on a Glock (BARF).
I got a good deal on it.
I ain't letting it go.
Damn sure, not for a stinking Block.
Engine49guy
Member
The tapered barrel guns were only made in 4", 5" and 6" lengths although we have seen one special order 3" Pinto posted.
There was also a wide rib 2" HB Model 15 as well as wide rib 4",5",6" and 8 3/8" versions after the dash 4.
Great photos. Beautiful guns. Today I saw a 15-3 nickle that was in fantastic conditon. They were asking $450. I resisted today but thanks to all you enablers I will be there when he opens in the morning. It was a 2 inch. Love my 19-3s my 13-3 and my 686 but this 15-3 is calling me.
highpower3006
Member
I wish mine was in that condition. Mine dates from 1954 and has been rode hard and put away wet. BUT, it still shoots great and has that smooth trigger pull that come from being shot a bunch.
Old Corp
Member
7shooter
Member
I gave a beautiful Model 15 to my son when he graduated from law school. I got it cheap at a gun show because someone had messed up the trigger which my gunsmith did a great job fixing.
He is one lucky attorney.
He is one lucky attorney.
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This one has had a total of 6 shots fired through it. I don't usually buy safe queens but got this at a good price and decided to keep basically unfired. They balance great in the hand:
Moe Mentum
Member
i am blessed to have not one, but two of these fine pistols....
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