Smith & Wesson Model 1500

[DALE9251]

Dear all, this is my first post to this forum as I only joined last week, however, I have just picked up a Smith & Wesson Model 1500 bolt gun in 7mm Rem Mag ( I don't have the serial number of the rifle yet as it's being shipped to my local dealer as I write ) what years were these rifle manufactured?, late 70's or early 80's?, how can I tell if it's the standard model or the deluxe model?
Please note, I live in Australia and there seems to be very little information on these rifles
Any help appreciated
Regards
DALE9251

 

[Troystat]

There are a few other posts on this sight, I believe these are mid to late 1970's firearms. I have one, they are the same action as a Weatherby Vangard. They were made by Howa and there is a safety recall for the bolt, if you disassemble the bolt and put it back together incorrectly the rifle will fire when the bolt is closed. Howa has you send the bolt back to them and they fix it and send it back. Check some of the other posts and there are more details. Other than that little problem they are nice rifles and shoot well.