Model 15 Info

[DuneShoot]

Picked up a Model 15-3 today. Action has been worked over and the trigger pull is EXCELLENT! Target hammer and trigger. Side of barrel says "38 S&W Special CTG"

Shows some wear but seems to be in decent shape. Owner claims it's rare to have S&W factory installed 6" barrel. See photo of the tag that was on it. I paid considerably less and would like to hear your opinions on what's it's worth as well as if the 6" barrel is 'rare' on this model.
No box or original grips.

Any other info is appreciated!

Edited at add proper model, Not a 15 no dash but rather a 15-3.

What are the numbers on the bottom of the frame/butt and why are they different that the serial?

 

[gunnails]

Have you had the grips off yet to see if the frame was cut for them?

 

[29aholic]

It is a put together gun. A 15 no dash would have been made early to mid 60's. I think it's a much later barrel if it is factory at all. I am not aware of any underlugged 38's but someone else might be. I'd say the TH and TT have been added too.

 

[DuneShoot]

I have not had the grips off and barrel says 38 S&W Special CTG.

 

[arjay]

A 6" model 15 is rather rare.Ive never heard of one with a full under lug.Should make a good target shooter
Edit: The front of the frame is squared off rather than tapered like a standard 15,so I'd say it was built for a straight 6" barrel like a 14.Interesting gun.

 

[Buford57]

Barrel is almost certainly from a 586. There were limited runs in .38 Special and so marked. If the frame is marked Mod 15 the barrel was installed after it left the factory. Far and away the majority of Model 15s were 4" with 2" an option and some special runs of 5". The similar gun in 6" was the Model 14.

Looks like a good shooter and in the category of "a gun S&W should have made".

 

[Tom K]

As 29aholic said, a put-together gun. You can ignore what the tag says, likely everything on it is wrong.

Since it is marked .38 Special, the barrel is likely from a Model 14-5 or 14-6. They were made from the factory with full underlug barrels, but not in 1970 and not Model 15s.

What is stamped on the frame at the crane? I highly doubt that the frame is a Model 15 no dash (unless it is some kind of mis-stamp, which is not particularly uncommon). A Model 15 would have had scallop cuts at the front top of the frame where it would mate with the narrow rib of a Model 15 barrel, as opposed to this wide rib barrel. There would be an obvious mismatch at the barrel/frame joint, unless someone went to all the trouble of welding up the scallop cuts, then reshaping and reblueing.

 

[DuneShoot]

Turns out I am blind and didn't see the whole model. It's a 15-3!

What year was this made?
Edited at add proper model, Not a 15 no dash but rather a 15-3.
Added pic's of the frame with the grips off.

What are the numbers on the bottom of the frame/butt and why are they different that the serial?

 

[DuneShoot]

As 29aholic said, a put-together gun. You can ignore what the tag says, likely everything on it is wrong.

Since it is marked .38 Special, the barrel is likely from a Model 14-5 or 14-6. They were made from the factory with full underlug barrels, but not in 1970 and not Model 15s.

What is stamped on the frame at the crane? I highly doubt that the frame is a Model 15 no dash (unless it is some kind of mis-stamp, which is not particularly uncommon). A Model 15 would have had scallop cuts at the front top of the frame where it would mate with the narrow rib of a Model 15 barrel, as opposed to this wide rib barrel. There would be an obvious mismatch at the barrel/frame joint, unless someone went to all the trouble of welding up the scallop cuts, then reshaping and reblueing.

You're are correct, it's a 15-3. I did not see it, my bad! Added pic's to original post.

 

[arjay]

Serial number dates it to '77
The 6" full underlug barrel on the 14 happened in the early 90s
It's a mystery!
Edit: What strikes me is how the top front frame corners corners are squared off like a 14 rather than beveled like a 15

 

[Tom Kent]

It looks like an old PPC competition gun.

 

[Inusuit]

What are the numbers on the bottom of the frame/butt and why are they different that the serial?

The number on the bottom of the butt (12K0835) IS the serial number. The other digits are assembly numbers to keep fitted parts together at the factory prior to final assembly. They have no particular meaning or relevance now. The only way to determine the configuration of your revolver when it left the factory is to request a letter from Smith and Wesson.

If it left the factory as it now sits, and that is confirmed by a S&W letter, you bought it cheap IMHO. If it's a frankengun put together as a competition revolver, my guess at value in the condition shown in your photos is $350-$400.

 

[DWalt]

The other number on the side of the grip frame is an assembly number. The SN dates it to 1977. The 15-3 range is 1967-77, so yours is a late one. As others have said, it's doubtful the barrel is original. But it if shoots as it should, so what?

 

[Eddietruett]

Not sure what it is, but I really like it. I'd love to see a range report

 

[CajunBass]

It looks like an old PPC competition gun.

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[DuneShoot]

Previous owner said he used it for competition.

 

[D Brown]

I saw something similar about five years ago, only it wasn't a Model 15-3; it was a Model 14-3.

That particular gun belonged to a friend of mine who had accidentally ruined the original barrel, and had returned the gun to Smith & Wesson for repair. Smith & Wesson informed him they had no more original barrels for the Model 14-3 to replace the damaged one, but they DID happen to have a new 6" full lug barrel originally intended for a Model 14-5 if he wouldn't mind the heavier barrel. My friend went for it and was extremely happy with the resulting hybrid.

 

[KEN L]

Way cool. Congratulations!!

 

[Dale53]

DuneShoot;
That looks like a dandy! It will probably be a GREAT shooter!

Enjoy!

Dale53

 

[Tom K]

I saw something similar about five years ago, only it wasn't a Model 15-3; it was a Model 14-3.

That particular gun belonged to a friend of mine who had accidentally ruined the original barrel, and had returned the gun to Smith & Wesson for repair. Smith & Wesson informed him they had no more original barrels for the Model 14-3 to replace the damaged one, but they DID happen to have a new 6" full lug barrel originally intended for a Model 14-5 if he wouldn't mind the heavier barrel. My friend went for it and was extremely happy with the resulting hybrid.

That could be what happened, or the original owner just wanted a 14-5 or 14-6 barrel installed. And, a Model 15-3 would normally have the scallops at the front of the frame unless it was originally a 2" barrel.

Here's a Model 15 on the left and a Model 14 on the right.

A Model 15 with a 2" barrel would look like the Model 14 frame. (Not my picture, I can't find one of my 2" M15-2 handy.)

Another clue that the barrel is not meant for that frame is that the ejector rod shroud is mismatched where it meets the bottom of the frame. A frame meant for that barrel (like a 14-5) would have an extended flat to mate up with it.

 

[29aholic]

I think Tom K might be onto something. It probably started life as a 15 snubby and got re-barreled.

 

[blasterp7]

It is a put together gun. A 15 no dash would have been made early to mid 60's. I think it's a much later barrel if it is factory at all. I am not aware of any underlugged 38's but someone else might be. I'd say the TH and TT have been added too.

I would tend to agree. To me, It looks like an L frame barrel. L frames were made much latter than the 15-3.

 

[DuneShoot]

S&W customer service confirmed it was a 1977 model but also said a 6" wasn't offered for a model 15 until 1986. No way to tell if they installed it or someone else.

 

[BoCash]

It is a put together gun. A 15 no dash would have been made early to mid 60's. I think it's a much later barrel if it is factory at all. I am not aware of any underlugged 38's but someone else might be. I'd say the TH and TT have been added too.

Fully agree with 29..................

That barrel appears to be off of a model 14-5 Full Lug. Also, it is unusual to find TT and TH on that model.

2 cents, Y'all take care, Bo

 

[DuneShoot]

Shot this today. Trigger is AMAZING!
However I found a few pieces of bullet jackets falling out of the cylinder when I was emptying rounds. Looks like it's out of time

This model 15 and a 686 will go to Frank Glenn in a month or so.
686 just needs an action job.

Live and learn!