Pre Model 15

[ShakyJake]

Hi,
I just acquired a 1952 I believe Pre model 15 in nickel. The .38's I am using are 158 gr sjhp from aguila they rate at 900fpm on their web site. Is that a little stiff for this senior citizen? She is very tight right now and looks like she has had little use. Thanks for your input. Ser# K1684xx Desperately wanted to post pics but computer is just not cooperating. Have them in my pictures but can't seem to upload.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[ShakyJake]

Hi,
I just acquired a 1952 I believe Pre model 15 in nickel. The .38's I am using are 158 gr sjhp from aguila they rate at 900fpm on their web site. Is that a little stiff for this senior citizen? She is very tight right now and looks like she has had little use. Thanks for your input. Ser# K1684xx Desperately wanted to post pics but computer is just not cooperating. Have them in my pictures but can't seem to upload.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[pj150]

Congrats. I just acquired a 1952 myself in blued but it might have another owner soon.

 

[29aholic]

Personally I would shoot a good quality lead cast load in it.
it's kinda funny you dont see nickel pre-15's and now this makes 2 this week.
Here's one I just bought

Shipped 10/55

 

[Homie]

Very nice!

Are these "special order" or "factory refinished"?

Good shooting.

 

[ShakyJake]

Hi Homie
I am still having trouble with the computer getting pictures uploaded. Maybe I need a review on how to get pictures to show up. My understanding is that you could special order nickel in 1952. My revo has an R mechanically imprinted on the left grip frame.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[Art Doc]

Any factory loaded 38 Special ammo is fine in your gun. They would not sell anything that would be harmful to a quality made gun.

 

[29aholic]

Originally posted by Homie:
Very nice!

Are these "special order" or "factory refinished"?

Good shooting.

Homie,
The finish on mine is factory original. These were cataloged by S&W but rarely encountered. In 30 years of being a gun enthusiast especially S&W's mine is the first one I've seen. Now thats not to say they werent there, but I normally dont pay much attention to nickel guns or even K-frames. This one was at an Indian Artifacts show so it kinda stood out amongst the arrow heads

 

[will5a1]

I don't know how many rounds I've put through the top one (excuse the ugly pachs) but its fired a bunch, some assorted factory but mostly my handloads pushing a 158gr LRN at about 840fps. I haven't had the chance to shoot the bottom one much yet. I shoot the pre-15 more than any other gun I own, my handloads are cheap I just flat out enjoy shooting it.

 

[29aholic]

Originally posted by ShakyJake:
Hi Homie
I am still having trouble with the computer getting pictures uploaded. Maybe I need a review on how to get pictures to show up. My understanding is that you could special order nickel in 1952. My revo has an R mechanically imprinted on the left grip frame.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

Shaky is the "R" followed by an "N"? and is there an "N" on the barrel flat with the serial number?

email the pics to me and I'll post them for you.

 

[ShakyJake]

Hi 29aholic
Thanks for the offer. Let me get everything together and I will e-mail it to you. I really think these are some kind of beautiful revolvers. Normally I lean toward blue but this one just called to me. It does not have an N next to the R and there is no Ser# in the crane only on the heel of the grip frame. The # on the crane is a 4 digit # and is repeated on the cylinder and the grip frame, possibly an assembly #?
Thanks again and e-mail to follow
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[ShakyJake]

Hi All
I think I may have figured out how to post some pictures. Here we go!!!

[URL=http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee44/temak_2007/CIMG0125.jpg%5B/IMG%5D]
[img]http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee44/temak_2007/CIMG0125.jpg
What do you know this ole codger did it.
A few more particulars: there is no N on the revolver grip frame or cylinder. Appears not to be factory original. Will try to get a picture of the grip frame in the future. front area has inprinted R, rear area has imprinted 8 77 and unreadable characters in box. The Ser # has a star following it on the cylinger and underside of the barrel. B-C gap is uniform .003 with no fore and aft movement. Lockup is tight. Will be trying 158gr lswc over 3.8 of W231 and will let you know how she likes it in a few days. Cost of Revolver was $395 in trade value of a hard used 3913, one of first.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[29aholic]

With the Star and the 8 77 it does sound like a factory refinish. I cant tell from the pics...is the front sight blue or nickel?

 

[ShakyJake]

Hi 29aholic
The front sight is white matte, probably nickel, but definitely not blue. Same for the hammer and trigger. Action is smooooth DA and SA. Would be very happy if it would be a factory refinish. With my new found knowledge will try to get some new pics up soon. Thanks for your help
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[29aholic]

Originally posted by ShakyJake:
Hi 29aholic
The front sight is white matte, probably nickel, but definitely not blue. Same for the hammer and trigger. Action is smooooth DA and SA. Would be very happy if it would be a factory refinish. With my new found knowledge will try to get some new pics up soon. Thanks for your help
TaKe CaRe
Ted

Shaky...if the front sight isnt blue like the one I posted further up, it is most likely a refinish. The frame markings you have told us that are on your gun definitely indicate a trip back to the factory (8 77= Aug 1977) also the star and the R.
My gun shows an S on one side of the frame, and an N (for nickel) on the other side.

 

[ShakyJake]

Hi All
You have been so helpful. I have included a few more pictures. What I am most interested in is does anyone know what kind of stocks these are and/or if they have any special value. There is no ID on the inside but they seem of good fit and quality. Appreciate your help. Finally getting to understand how pics work.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[ShakyJake]

I apologize for the size. It was suppose to be 800X600. Guess I still have some work to do.
TaKe CaRe
Ted

 

[29aholic]

The grips appear to be later model Herrett's...possibly "Shooting Stars" definitely aftermarket, but if they are what I think they werent cheap ~75-100 new

 

[sw44spl]

very nice

 

[john traveler]

The stocks look like Herrett Jordan Troopers.