The K Frame

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Alexd,

Since you have not mentioned the caliber (which will be written on the side of the barrel) I can only guess that it's a .38 Spl. and not a .38/.357. As it has a Baughman ramp front sight I'm figuring it's not a M14

Open up the cylinder and look at the yoke. You will see the words "Mod 15" with possibly a dash and another number behind that. The serial number will be on the butt but may also be on the yoke. The gun has a short through hammer and a trigger stop so it's likely from the 80s or late 70s. If you want to know list the serial number here just replace the last 2 digits with xx for privacy.

tipoc
 
Alexd, the grips look like they have an uncheckered diamond around the screw estucheon. If they're original the gun was made before 1968 when the diamond was deleted. Going on that assumption the gun is no later than a 15-3. If there is no model number stamped inside the yoke then you have a pre-15 K-38 Combat Masterpiece made between 1949 and 1957. The serial number on the butt posted a 1234xx, as tipoc has already mentioned, will tell us what we need to know.
 
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Just re-read your post and would like to point out a few things.
I recently came on this gun for essentially free. I think it's a Model 15. I CC a G19 and was never into revolvers. I've always liked militaria and tacticool plastic guns but this thing is cool!
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Be careful, a pre-10 M&P ran my Glock 22 off and replaced it with several 1911s and some more K frame friends. :evil:
It blows my mind it was essentially designed 100+ years ago.
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I think that's one of the most amazing things about these guns. The fact that the M&P, now known as the M10, has been in continous production for over 100 years is mind blowing. The other K frames like this M15/K-38 Combat that are essentially refined M&Ps is very cool. It's a testament to just how great the core design is.
I might even start carrying it in my backpack when I don't feel like taking out the expensive pistol.
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In the condition that revolver is in it's worth more than your Glock now. With collector interest in classic S&Ws growing everyday it will continue to steadily appreciate in value. Keep it and enjoy what a treasure you have.
I think it may have been purchased 40-50 years ago and never fired.
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If it's that old it affirms my suspicion that the diamond magnas are indeed original, and that you very likely have a pre-15 K-38 Combat Masterpiece, or an earlier 15 at the latest.

It's a very cool gun either way though. Thanks for sharing the pics, take core of it, and have fun with it too! :D
 
* Uncheckered diamond around screw estucheon - YES
* Chambered in "38 S. & W. SPECIAL CTG" as per right side of barrel
* Yoke shows serial number and underneath "MOD-15" followed by no dash - markings
* Several other tiny numbers, including a larger "6" on the arm connecting the frame to the cylinder

...so it sounds like pre-1968, Model 3 or older...

I'd like to find out more using the serial number, but I'd rather not post. Could I PM someone in the know?

btw, I shot it more today and it's a way better range handgun than the glock - i like the weight, the distance between front/rear sights and the simple, intuitive design
 
Here's My Only Current K Frame S&W, My MOD617 SB 4" 6 Cylinder 22lr
I've been looking very hard at a MOD66-2 RB 2 1/2" w factory Combats, It might be my Next K Frame..
Enjoy!!
Gary/B92
mod617blingigf4.jpg
 
S&W went to the model numbering system in 1957 which was the first year that they stamped the guns with the numbers on the yoke. The name "Combat Masterpiece" was what the gun was called when it was first introduced in 1949. The M15 lasted only 2 years until the M15-1 was brought out in 1959 so your piece if a no dash, dates from about there.

Your gun is a 5 screw type with the semi target hammer and trigger.

The only difference between the M15 and the 15-1 was that the threads on the ejector rod are a right hand thread while on the 15-1 they are left handed. This means that under recoil the ejector rod may want to back out on you so now and again give it a slight twist, to the right, to make sure it's still tight.

You have a very good and desireable gun there. If you want to know more on it's particular history you can contact S&W historian Roy Jinks and for $30. he will look up the production date, etc. and send you a letter.

tipoc
 
Just added another K to my stable. I've never owned a snubby before, and I noticed a good condition 66-2 with a 2" barrel.. or maybe it was 2 1/2" .. I don't know, I bought it anyway. It was a little dirty, but everything checked out fine other then some spots of finish wear on the cylinder. Some of you guys know I like to do extreme polish jobs on my stainless smiths anyway, so I think it'll clean up nice. For $300.08 after taxes I though it was a decent deal. Also I'm quite happy because the store clerk told me that some of the issues with local county permit amendments (have to get one for each new gun here in NY) have cleared up and it's no longer a month wait on each one before picking it up. So, I should be able to pick it up monday. I'll take some pics then. :)
 
I have a number of K-frames. These are my last acquistions

Mdl 14 and 17

Kframes.jpg
[/IMG]
 
Hex, congrats on your first snubbie K and I hope the local authorities let you take it home quickly.

Iggy, that's a very nice pair of KTs.
 
I can finally join. Here is my Mod 19-5 2 1/2". This is my first and seems as if it could easily become and obsession.

Model201920Smith_small.jpg
 
Hex, congrats on your first snubbie K and I hope the local authorities let you take it home quickly.
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Thanks ugaarguy :) The store employee was correct, and my county is indeed back to same day purchase/pickup (as long as you want to drive to the store, buy drive back the county office, then back to the store in the same day). This is a huge thing for us, as we got changed from that a while back to a several month wait on each purchase. For now everything is back to normal. I did pick up the 2 1/2" Model 66, it was actually a 66-3 and not a 66-2 like I thought. It's got some scratches, but its in pretty great shape for the price. So I'm happy with it. No pics unfortunately. My camera is still on the fritz, and I'm now apparently banned from using my wife's since I accidentally deleted some of her pictures.. *sigh*

My 4" 66-2 is little too nice to carry, at least as far as I'm concerned, but since this 2 1/2" has some wear already, I can see myself using it as a possible alternative carry gun to the FS 1911 I normally carry. The 1 1/2" difference really isn't much as far as size and weight go from the 4" though. I just need to find a decent holster for this one. If anybody has an extra open top holster for the 2 1/2" K , or maybe some round butt ahrends grips around, please let me know.
 
Finally got pic of the new K I picked up on monday. Nothing special I guess. Pretty standard when shown next to all these beautiful guns in this thread, but it's my first revolver with a barrel under 4" so I'll show it anyway.

66-3-1psd.gif
 
I guess I'm joining the K frame club too.

I went out with the intention to buy a GP-100 because I didn't have a revolver, and I decided that I should have one. After debating with myself over the 686, 620 and GP100, I went down to my local shop to order the the GP. I looked down in the case, and there was a super cherry 19-3 6" in flawless bright nickel on consignment for a price I was more than willing to pay, which I was able to get lower still.

To hell with the GP.

Is it OK to post pics of a dirty gun? Because I plan on shooting the crap out of it when I a go pick it up. :)
 
Now, that's the spirit.
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Now, I got no beef against the GP, but it just doesn't have the good looks of the 19, nor does it have near the trigger or fit and finish. I still like the GP, and may end up getting one for a truck and boat gun, but as was pointed out to me on another board I visit, those 19s aren't being made any more, and the GP can found just about anywhere.

I ended up getting the 19 for a good bit less than I would have got the Ruger for, and it could not possibly have been fired enough to make it "Not New" as far as I'm concerned. It doesn't even have a turning ring worn on the cylinder. Not a mark on it anywhere that I could find.




Welcome in Revrat.
And welcome to THR.
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Thanks!
 
Is it my imagination or do the older Smith's just seem to have better fit and finish?
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You're seated firmly in reality. My two 1940s K frames are fit and finished far better than the newer ones.
 
btw, I shot it more today and it's a way better range handgun than the glock - i like the weight, the distance between front/rear sights and the simple, intuitive design
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It appears that you have been bitten by the revolver bug. You may not be experiencing the symptoms now, but give it a few more weeks. Months perhaps. Symptoms include:

- Weakness in knees and wallet at sight of a fine wheelgun, e.g. S&W Model 13, Colt DS, Colt Python, S&W Model 57.
- Mild/low voltage electric shocks, resulting from visiting pic-heavy threads such as this and drooling on the keyboard
- Denial (having acquired a wheelgun and swearing you will aquire no more - that your bases are covered)
- Sleepless nights spent dreaming of more wheelguns, usually within hours of swearing you wouldn't buy anymore :evil:

I could go on and on. And FYI, there is no cure. You can only temporarily ease the symptoms, by buying more wheelies:neener:. BTW, that is a gorgeous Model 15-0 you have there. I am jealous! As ugaarguy suggests, it is probably worth more than your Glock, so don't carry it in a backpack thinking it's a $199 Taurus or Rossi (no offense at all to said Taurus or Rossi). Perhaps a 3", well worn S&W Model 10 for carry? :evil:

Iggy,

Your photo of your fraternal twin Models 14 and 17 looks similar to mine; think they're related? :p


17-0 on top, 14-4 on bottom (EDIT: eek, don't know why the pic is so small):

b9a4.jpg

14 top, 17 bottom:

IMG_1641.jpg
 
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