Help Needed! 15-4 2" Snub,

[justdust00]

Gentleman,
I'm looking for some insight on a model 15-4 I saved from its previous owner. Condition is fair. There is no deep rust, just surface rust and speckling throughout the frame. Slight blue wear on the end of the muzzle. The worst of the bad is the grips. They made them "nice and shiny" by apparently coating them with a clear lacquer/epoxy?

Serial number 236k85*

Looking for any info possible. Year of manufactured. What do you think a resale value is, as is. Is it worth buying new grips? Should I have it reblued, or leave it be to tell its story? I have no other info on it from previous owner.
Mechanically it seems pretty sound.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Brian

 

[Eddietruett]

Pretty sure gun shipped in 1982.

 

[justdust00]

Thank you for the quick response Eddietruett

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[shouldazagged]

I'd love to have one like that; but the stocks would have to go, or at least be refinished.

 

[wood714]

I'd take some 0000 steel wool to the grips to remove the shine and leave it at that.

 

[Warren Sear]

That gun has earned every mark on it (except for the slop on the grips). I urge you not to re-blue the gun or "restore" the grips.

Remove the thick finish on the grips with a chemical stripper. No sandpaper or steel wool! The checkering could be slightly deepened by someone who knows what they are doing, but do not try to make them look like new; they will only get worse if you over-do it. After that, brush on one or two THINNED coats of tung oil, tru-oil, or boiled linseed. Done!

Anyway, that is what I would do. If you want a new looking gun, you will be money ahead by selling this one and buying the gun you want.

Here's my 15-3 (and I wouldn't change a thing on it)...

 

[justdust00]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice. Any idea on a resale value? I don't have a Standard catalogue to go by.

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[D Brown]

Model 15-4 2"

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice. Any idea on a resale value? I don't have a Standard catalogue to go by.

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It's worth at least $500 just about anywhere, but... I wouldn't sell it if I were you. Hang onto it, they're not that easy to find.

 

[gfors]

You can always find another set of grips in the classifieds here, or eBay. I would think $40-50 for a decent but not perfect set. Or strip and oil the ones you have, as suggested by Warren Sear.

 

[Zipdog]

That 15 is in just fine condition for a carry piece. Nothing needs attention except the grips. I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[justdust00]

So I guess I did pretty well then for only having $260 into it. I do need to replace the rear sight. The notched blade is partly broken. And pick up a set of grips. I appreciate all of you guys, really.

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[loeman]

I would LOVE to have that gun AS IS! It is in the "perfect" condition for so many uses. The only thing I would do is put the stocks in a jar of acetone to remove the glop and put on an oil finish. I would also bet you a beer that they are numbered to the gun. And to think you only have $260 into one of the coolest snubs known to man. Don't sell it, love it!

 

[srsmyth]

I think loeman would win that beer, my 15-4 snub has grips numbered to the gun.

 

[justdust00]

Just an update, A friend of mine (The new owner) stripped the grips, recheckered them, and put on a coat of tru-oil. I think it compliments the gun very well.

 

[Warren Sear]

^^^ Perfect!!!

 

[justdust00]

Warren, you were the main one I was thinking of when posting the pics,lol. He did exactly what you said to do.

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