Model 15 Stainless

[minconrevo]

The strangeness continues. On factory nickel 15's the star is blued, not some shiny finish. Shiny is shown for this pistol's star.

 

[Grayfox]

OMG! Unicorns do exist!

I can't even imagine what that gun would bring at auction. If you do confirm it and sell. Please let us know what it went for.

 

[Truckman]

Sorry, but a magnet will stick to a stainless gun with just about as much force as a regular one.

I've tried it more than once, on guns and the difference between the two is noticeable...But I realize you have a lot more experience in metals than I do so I'll take your word on the different grades of stainless...I would like to hear the OP's report on the magnetic qualities of his 15 and any blued or nickeled Smiths he has...

I don't know whether I even have a stainless gun in my safe as I don't really care for the appearance, but if I don't I'll try my pocket buddy at the next gun show on somebody's table...As Sheriff Bart said, "Pardon me while I whip this out"......Ben

 

[Hair Trigger]

The experimental stainless M15's had case-hardened hammers & triggers, as well as the bright-polish finish I mentioned earlier. They were built five years before the M60 and, same as with the earliest M60's, especially using the bright-polish finish, S&W didn't have a hard-fast plan on exactly what and how they would do with some of the parts when planning future mass production.

My money is definitely on the gun in question being original...
DC

Having both stainless and nickel guns, I'm convinced this is nickel plated, not stainless. Stainless guns also usually have hard-chromed hammer and trigger, this one has color case hardened hammer and trigger, which nickel plated guns have. I don't know about the "SS" stamping inside the yoke cut. Look at the breech side of the cylinder, is there a "N" anywhere between the charge holes, and is the extractor star blue or silvery? Blued would also indicate a nickel plated gun.

I've got my knife and fork ready, serve up the crow and I'll eat my share. I'm rooting for this to be a stainless M15, but I'd have bet my left gonad this was a nickel gun. I'm speculating the "SS" in the yoke cut was a reminder to not send this to the bluing tank or to say "this ain't nickel" since it was a model that usually got one or the other of those finishes.

Gotta watch this guy, next gun he gets will probably be a M28-1

 

[LPD256]

Very cool story. Does the OP's presentation case give any clues? Would that case have been around in the 60's? By the way notabot, we have a member jcelect that restores the boxes for a very reasonable expense.

 

[murphydog]

Very cool story. Does the OP's presentation case give any clues? Would that case have been around in the 60's? By the way notabot, we have a member jselect that restores the boxes for a very reasonable expense.

From the size of the revolver cutout, I think the case is for a 4" N frame.

 

[NotaBot]

I've tried it more than once, on guns and the difference between the two is noticeable...But I realize you have a lot more experience in metals than I do so I'll take your word on the different grades of stainless...I would like to hear the OP's report on the magnetic qualities of his 15 and any blued or nickeled Smiths he has...

I don't know whether I even have a stainless gun in my safe as I don't really care for the appearance, but if I don't I'll try my pocket buddy at the next gun show on somebody's table...As Sheriff Bart said, "Pardon me while I whip this out"......Ben

Just did a magnet test. Just as magnetic as my Model 63, my childhood revolver. First gun I ever fired.

 

[AlHunt]

Here's hoping we get the back story of this revolver and what happens to it.

 

[NotaBot]

Wow, so which one is it, 823, 25, 26, 27, 28 ?

Guess its OK to let the cat out of the bag.

Serial ends in 25, so HH Harris. Would this have been shipped to them to supply one of their clients or presentation piece?

As for selling or keeping. Im not sure yet. I dont consider myself a gun collector, but with a dozen or so around I might be called one. I have always been a collector of militaria, rare coins/currency, and watches. So might as well add guns to that list, as many that know me might have already.

 

[NotaBot]

Here's hoping we get the back story of this revolver and what happens to it.

I own it and I myself wanna know where its been since '63.

 

[Peak53]

Wow! Wordsmith rarely weighs in here. His words are highly regarded, as of course are our own Handejector's and Doc44. Letter ... more pics ... premature congratulations!

 

[DARE]

Cool

Very cool NotaBot. I don't know who H H Harris was, but he was probably a big deal if he got one of these guns.
Also, your thread is now a notable thread, which I think is also a big deal.
Congratulations on a very rare gun.

 

[MrG5122]

My M65 sticks to the magnet under my desk as well as my 581.

 

[Chuck24]

Here's hoping you captured the unicorn

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Since I've been called out , Welcome to the forums from the cotton and peanut covered plains of the Wiregrass! I can't add anything here but my admiration on a unique and valuable acquisition. I've held the only Model 28-1 known and would love to hold this one. But, I'll just admire it from afar. There is a Smith & Wesson Collector's Association symposium in June in Concord, NC. It would be wonderful if this gun was on display.

 

[Truckman]

Just did a magnet test. Just as magnetic as my Model 63, my childhood revolver. First gun I ever fired.

Then I'll stand corrected...I'm out......Ben

 

[murphydog]

I own it and I myself wanna know where its been since '63.

The letter of authenticity will give a history of the .38 Combat Masterpiece/model 15, then the last paragraph typically has the specifics of the gun in question. In general, it will not have any history of the gun after it left the factory aside from the ship date and destination, and in some instances a serial number will be documented as "open on the books", meaning there is no record of to where or whom it was shipped.

Usually the only way a specific gun's history is found is through a personal or family record of ownership, or in the case of rare guns a known auction/transaction history. If you find it was shipped to an individual, sometimes contacting the family (if possible) may reveal information. Highly unlikely the first owner is still alive 60+ years later.

 

[hsguy]

H H Harris was a large dealer in Chicago and received many unusual guns other dealers didn't so makes sense it was shipped there.

 

[AlHunt]

I own it and I myself wanna know where its been since '63.

If you don't mind indulging me, we all like a good story about finding the Holy Grail. It sounds like a recent find. Did you stumble into this in a classified, inherit it, a pawn shop find or something like that? Did you suspect it was special when you received it, or was it a happy surprise?

If you'd rather not say, it's fine. We just appreciate knowing this one surfaced. You do have the big dogs off the porch and sniffing around.

 

[steelslaver]

First congratulations on owning a truly rare S&W revolver and one of the real steps in their history.

The reason for so much early doubt is people showing up with guns that are from the non stainless models that have been nickel plated or a process called hard chrome believing they are rare stainless ones is a regular occurrence. This is the first time I know off that it is the real deal.