Opinions on new purchase?

[wcwhitey]

Picked this up the other night, just stumbled upon it and could not walk away without taking it home. Its a 15-3 Serial number 5K855XX. Hard to tell from my not so great photography but the blueing is about 90% or better, has the usual cylinder ring and some muzzle wear. Action is tight as a drum and bore looks great. It has a wide target trigger and hammer. The target stocks I had laying around (scrapped the rubber that came with it). Price was $199 out the door.
Would like to hear your opinions and if anyone can date it I would appreciate it as I do not have a box or papers. Thanks in Advance, Bill

 

[longtooth]

If you need you money back I will do that for you. Dont worry about the box.
Coming to Texas any time soon???

 

[Shawnee]

Hi WC...

Unless there is a hornet's nest in the barrel you got a HECKUVA Great buy!

 

[crazyhorse]

Sorry to have to do this, but..........I'm gonna have to ste.....no-no,
I mean confiscate that 15. Started to say steal, 'cause that's whay you did.
Great gun at a great price.

 

[FPrice]

What the guys above already said.

You got one heckuva buy. Treat it well, shoot it often and keep 'er clean and you'll have a lot of fun.

 

[wcwhitey]

Thanks for the positive remarks. Now here is the rub, there was one just like it sitting next to it in the case for the same price. I did my best checking and this one called out to me, could not find fault with the other. Maybe a little more blue wear. The gunshop is T&T Gunnery in Seaford, NY (Long Island). If anyone needs more information feel free to ask. The old revolver rack is dusty and lonely but there are a few gems in there. Bill

p.s. anyone point me to the year of production based on the serial number, tks.

 

[treebeard]

Man....that is one sweet deal. Can I borrow it for awhile? Enjoy it and take care of it.

 

[chuck pullen]

My opinion ? I 'm jealous. Congrats on a great buy on a classic revolver. If you get bored and want to post more pics, I'll be here.

 

[jlundy46]

WOW, for that price, you should go back and buy the other one too!

John

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I would love to come out there and buy the other but that trip will have to wait for a while.

Very nice revolver, good deal!!

 

[RevolvingCylinder]

Mine cost $100 more. It wears the original grips and is nickel-plated.

 

[FPrice]

Serial number 5K855XX.

About 1974 according to the serial number-year of manufacture table in Supica and Nahas' book, Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

 

[Iggy]

Great find.. I see them priced at $399 here. That's why I don't have one!!

 

[jad0110]

$199 for one or $398 for two??? Dang, what a sweet deal. I vote for buying both. If you hit hard times, you could always sell one for a handsome ROI.

 

[applekev]

Re: S&W Model 15

I have a Model 15-4 that I picked up a few months ago for $239. It is a police trade in and seems to be real tight and quite accurate. Only drawback is that the bluing shows alot of holster wear. I may send it back to S&W to give it a check up and reblue it. I also would like original type wood grips put on it. It has Pachmyars on it now but I want it to look original. ABR4xxx Serial number; does anyone know how old this might be? Is this what is referred to as the "Combat Master" ? Sorry I don't have a pic to post at this time. Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[wcwhitey]

I would love to come out there and buy the other but that trip will have to wait for a while.


ArchAngelCD: The next time you come to visit I will take you over there, nice store, he has alot of surplus which I like. Bill


Both of the county PD's (Suffolk and Nassau) used the Model 15 at different times. Same with Model 10's, when the NYPD (my job) switched to the 9mm they were and still are a dime a dozen. I still see them for $100 all the time. Holster wear yes, but usually very tight. Most of my bretheren are not more than once a year shooters, so they got shot for qualification, cleaned (sometimes) and put back in holsters.

 

[Ala Dan]

I'll add, what a great find~! enjoy