Did Model 15-3 have red ramp sight?

[jamesallen]

There is a model 15, I believe it's a -3, for sale at a gun store near me. The sight has one of those orange inserts that are on the new Classics models. Did those exist on models as old as 15-3, or is it safe to assume that this gun has some sort of aftermarket sight added?
Picture:
Model-15-for-sale hosted at ImgBB — ImgBB

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

Not sure on the sight. I’ve never seen a 15 with a red ramp, but that’s not to say it couldn’t have been ordered. If it’s aftermarket, it looks really good. What’s really a crying shame is what some moron did to what would have otherwise been a beautiful set of what look like walnut diamond target grips! Butchery like the way those were hacked on should be punishable with jail time! My poor stomach is still turning!

 

[VaTom]

My 15-3 from 1973 does not.

 

[Doug M.]

What’s really a crying shame is what some moron did to what would have otherwise been a beautiful set of what look like walnut diamond target grips! Butchery like the way those were hacked on should be punishable with jail time! My poor stomach is still turning!

*
I am going to presume that there was a functional reason for that - speed loader clearance comes to mind, maybe something related to hand size. Remember that this revolver was and is first and foremost a tool, presumably for a serious purpose (fighting, the primary purpose of a firearm). Few if any cared or even thought about what a future collector would think.

This revolver is more or less from the era when I started studying handguns, and many users for good reason just pitched the factory grips and and replaced them with something more functional; witness the mods done by the various LAPD folks, various rubber grips, etc.

 

[VaTom]

SCSW 4th Edition page 212 under Model 15. “1/8” Baughman Quick Draw front sight on a plain ramp base…..” no mention of red insert.

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

Doug,

I totally hear you and I get it. I’ve seen grips hacked up many times for the reasons you described. I guess to each his own. I own two 15-3s, both fitted with football targets (no speedloader cut) and both work fine with my HKS speedloaders without me having to hack up the grips. As to the red insert, none of my 15s (2 15-3s and 2 15-4s) have it. The finish looks great on that 15 and the red insert wouldn’t make me walk away if the price was good.

 

[Engine49guy]

The red ramp was not standard but was an option, not a difficult modification and often added,
When I see a factory red ramp I expect a white outline rear.

Many stocks were modified or simply swapped for Pachmayers and tossed in the trash with the box back in the day, I'm old enough to remember when factory wood stocks were often found in a box of misc stuff at many gun stores for $5.00.
While I agree it is sad to see diamond target stocks modified like that at least they were late production walnut variation which are at the bottom of the K diamond target stocks for desireability.

 

[JackM]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but that gun looks like it left the factory with a 2” barrel, judging by the contour of the frame, upper front. By the way, a generation or so ago, you could bring any S&W right to the repair facility, walk right in, and have a red ramp installed, actions smoothed, new grips, etc.

 

[Engine49guy]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but that gun looks like it left the factory with a 2” barrel, judging by the contour of the frame, upper front. By the way, a generation or so ago, you could bring any S&W right to the repair facility, walk right in, and have a red ramp installed, actions smoothed, new grips, etc.

That one got right by me,
You're right that's a 2" snub frame with a 4" barrel, the frame on a 4" steps down slightly where it meets the barrel where the snub frame did not so it could mate to the snub fs ramp.

 

[gmborkovic]

Brad, you may be old, but still have a sharp set of eyes.

 

[Nframe_is_no1]

Jack,

I looked at the photo again and you’re absolutely right! It got by me too. That’s definitely a 2” frame with a 4” barrel just as you said. You can see where the front of the frame is not scalloped. I guess someone really wanted a 4”. Ironic because the 2” is harder to find in my experience.

 

[Doc44]

The left stock panel has been modified to include a thumb rest.

Bill

 

[jamesallen]

Good catch. These posts have very much reduced my desire to acquire that revolver.

 

[Arm]

My 15-3 plain sight

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I have a Model 15 shipped June 23, 1964 with a blue finish, Target Hammer, Target Trigger, Red Ramp, White outline and Goncalo Alves Target Stocks. It shipped with a .22 Combat Masterpiece. It shipped to Dan Wesson Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass. It was in at least two auctions when I bought it. It is in the box for the Model 18. Another reason you should get a letter.

 

[Retired W4]

My 15-1 has TT/TH/TS with WO/RR and it looks stone original. My letter should be on the way soon but I'm pretty sure it came from the factory that way. I have an 18-2 from 1964 in the same configuration.

I think I need a picture of the 15-1 and 18-2 together, plus the 17-1. Of course the 17-1 has Patridge front sights.

 

[CH4]

My 2” -3 and -4 are black. The rear sight tang on the 2” should be flush with the front of the frame, mating with the barrel rib.

 

[Engine49guy]

Just opened the OPs picture again,
Noticed that besides the snub frame that does not step down that it does appear to have the long snub leaf that goes all the way to the front of the frame,, if you look closely it appears someone slightly notched the edges of the frame as well, my guess is it was likely done at the same time as the barrel swap.

 

[shawn mccarver]

There is a model 15, I believe it's a -3, for sale at a gun store near me. The sight has one of those orange inserts that are on the new Classics models. Did those exist on models as old as 15-3, or is it safe to assume that this gun has some sort of aftermarket sight added?
Picture:
Model-15-for-sale hosted at ImgBB — ImgBB

The Model 15 of that era usually did not come equipped with a a red ramp. That said, the red ramp was available for special order or could be installed if the gun were sent back to the factory. Or, it could have been done after-market.

Either way, unless it is a poor installation, it is worth keeping it that way. I agree with what the others say about the frame being for a 2-inch barrel, so it looks like someone had the 4-inch barrel installed. Where the work was done is anyone's guess unless the factory would have some records available through the normal letter and records requests. I do not believe that revolver left the factory with that barrel because of the mis-match of the barrel to the frame.

 

[S&W Fan]

If I were interested I’d ask the shop to remove the grips to see if there are any factory re-work stamps on the grip frame.