S&W Model 38 Question
- Thread starter ccnv
- Start date
It is an assembler's, fitter's or inspector's stamp, a factory internal code that has no significance after production.
If it was owned by a PD at one time that might be a rack number.
Have a look at the sides of the grip frame with the stock panels removed. 
The vintage of the gun makes a big difference of the location of several markings.
By 1959 there was no assembly # in the yoke cut of the frame; it was moved to the left side of the grip frame and later on the right side sometimes and it's always a 3 to 5 digit #.
Your gun should have the serial # and Model # in the yoke cut.
The inspector markings moved around over time and the E15 is almost assuredly an inspector ID code.
ASSEMBLY (factory work) #s: These multi-digit numbers of 3 to 5 digits, are on the yoke at the hinge, in the ‘yoke cut’ of the frame opposite the yoke near the hinge (usually accompanied with the inspector’s letter or # code stamp of approval, but not always), and inside of the sideplate, for the pre war and early post war period thru ~early 1958.
After the 6/22/1957 change order, Model #s were assigned and eventually stamped on the frame in the yoke cut. The serial # was soon after added in the ‘yoke cut’ as well and the assembly # moved to the left side of the grip frame parallel to the butt. More currently beginning in the 1980’s we see non-matching multi-digit numbers parallel to the butt left or right side, and inside the side plate. Once the gun is shipped, the only use for the assembly # is to confirm the three parts it's stamped on, are original to the gun. These are still in use to this day.
By 1959 there was no assembly # in the yoke cut of the frame; it was moved to the left side of the grip frame and later on the right side sometimes and it's always a 3 to 5 digit #.
Your gun should have the serial # and Model # in the yoke cut.
The inspector markings moved around over time and the E15 is almost assuredly an inspector ID code.
ASSEMBLY (factory work) #s: These multi-digit numbers of 3 to 5 digits, are on the yoke at the hinge, in the ‘yoke cut’ of the frame opposite the yoke near the hinge (usually accompanied with the inspector’s letter or # code stamp of approval, but not always), and inside of the sideplate, for the pre war and early post war period thru ~early 1958.
After the 6/22/1957 change order, Model #s were assigned and eventually stamped on the frame in the yoke cut. The serial # was soon after added in the ‘yoke cut’ as well and the assembly # moved to the left side of the grip frame parallel to the butt. More currently beginning in the 1980’s we see non-matching multi-digit numbers parallel to the butt left or right side, and inside the side plate. Once the gun is shipped, the only use for the assembly # is to confirm the three parts it's stamped on, are original to the gun. These are still in use to this day.
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