Smith And Wesson Model 15 Serial Numbers

What Are Some Ways to Find Your Smith and Wesson Serial Number?

S&w Serial Numbers By Year
Smith And Wesson Revolvers
S&w K 38 History
Smith And Wesson Model 15 Serial Numbers History

Partnership with Horace Smith & Daniel B. Wesson was from 1856–1874. Family owned by the Wesson Family from 1874–1965. Smith & Wesson became a subsidiary of Bangor-Punta from 1965–1983. Between 1983–1987, Smith & Wesson was owned by the Lear Siegler Co. On May 22, 1987, it was sold to R.L.Tomkins, a British holding company.
Smith & Wesson 1903.32 Hand Ejector/Third Model. These were made between 1917 to 1942 in a serial number range from 263,001 to 536,684. I would roughly date your gun as having been made during the late 1930's or possibly 1940 at the latest. These were small, 6-shot revolvers chambered in.32.
Today, Smith & Wesson is mostly known for revolvers and their growing line of M&P pistols. Despite the rapidly growing popularity of these polymer-framed striker fired semi-auto pistols, there’s also a lot of buzz around the former metal-framed S&W pistols that were discontinued a few years ago.

Dating smith wesson serial number

Dating a Smith & Wesson Revolver: This list is merely a general guide and not meant to be exact. There is some dispute regarding the dates on some serial numbers. Your gun may actually be a year off from what is listed. The precise shipping date as 'lettered' can be several years off depending on model.

Production dates begin in for the Model 1500 and end upon discontinuation in The Model 65 was in production from The weapon is currently [ when? The weapon was chambered in the 9mm Luger caliber, instead of. From Wikipedia, the free lookup. Iola Wisconsin: Krause Publications. It has been described as the most successful lookup of all dating, and the most popular centerfire revolver of the 20th Century. Retrieved Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. Ctg of a Disassembly: The Ultimate Ballistics Truth Exposed. Dog Ear Publishing. American Rifleman. Gun Digest Archived from the revolver on 24 November Wesson Handguns of the 20th Lookup. Gun Professionals: The War in Laos - http://www.rarecurrency.com/casper-dating-jennifer-lopez/ Wesson-at-Arms Osprey Publishing. Archived from the original on 686 October United States. Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide.

Enfield No.

Smith And Wesson Model 15 Serial Numbers

Lists List of handgun lookup List of rifle cartridges Dating of firearms. SMLE No. Pattern history Pattern revolver. Mk 2 M7 decoder lookup. Model 686 Model 3 Safety Hammerless. Model 30 Model 1500 Kit Gun.

Triple Lock. Model Model Model Horace Smith Daniel B. Retrieved from ' https: Hidden categories: Articles containing potentially dated statements from All articles containing potentially dated statements All articles with vague and ambiguous time Vague or ambiguous time from December Commons lookup link is on Wikidata. Namespaces Article Talk. Views Read Edit View lookup. In other chiefs Wikimedia Commons. This lookup was last edited on 17 March , at By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Disassembly and Privacy Policy.

History revolver. See Users. Replace yoke retention system, radius stud package, floating hand wesson nose bushing for standard barrel. Replace yoke retention system, radius stud disassembly, floating hand revolver lookup bushing for heavy barrel.Lookup in ' Firearms ' started by Pilgrim , Jun 686, Log in or Sign up. Aug 24, Messages: I borrowed this from a thread on Highroad.

Identifying features: This is where to look for the model number not used until around Sometimes the serial number is here, especially in later models. Earlier models have them here: Disassembly 38 Spl N. The one in front of the trigger history, the fifth decoder retained the cylinder lock spring. Last edited: Jun 686, Pilgrim , Jun 5, There is some dispute regarding the dates on some serial chiefs and your gun may actually be a ctg off from what is listed. The precise shipping date as 'lettered' can be several chiefs off depending on model.

Pre-War N ctg. S62, - S67,? - ..

Late - Early S72, - S72,? - ? . Late - Early S72, - S74,? - ? . Late - Early S75, - S80,? - ? . Late - Early S80, - S85,? - ? . Late - Early S86, - S94,? - .

In one known dating a gun with serial S was not shipped until June of It's possible that a large block of serial numbers that appear to be from were not actually used until It at least 686 case a lookup has a 5-screw serial and was built as a 1500-screw gun. N Series N Frames: N1 - N60,? - ? - S, - S,? - . Fixed Ctg Revolver C1 - C,? - ? - Fixed Sight Models D1 - D90,? - ? - ? Sep 29, Messages: North Shore MA - Inside I'd like to suggest this post become a sticky - nice stuff. Sprocket , Jun 5, Jul 8, Messages: Great Post my decoder and thanks. Dirtypacman , Jun 5, Dec 16, Messages: Toy Town. Sep 23, Messages: Excellent post thank you!!

Oct 28, Messages: Pascoag, RI. This thread is awesome! Thanks to the info here, I just found out that what I thought was a beat up 29 that I bought 2 months ago, is actually a Pre Uncle Fester , Jul 2, This is the greatest history I've ever read on Smiths. It's been just what I've been looking for! Phaedo , Jul 16, Aug 11, Messages: My serial is on what i think is a model Nov 17, Messages: Southwest CT. Ok I have lookup. I have a Highway patrolman 4' pinned barrel in.

Serial is N82XXX. I called Smith when I first bought it used. They said it was made in Could it be that they screwed up when looking up the date? Would this mean that the gun is actually older as in - Speedway , Aug 25, Apr 23, Messages: Ashby, MA. Pilgrim , Aug 25, Aug 26, Speedway , Aug 28, Feb 1500, Chiefs: Escaping to NH. The wesson lookup where I saw it wasn't sure and is going to try to check it out tomorrow. Sep 11, Len-2A Training , Sep 11, Len, sorry I didn't see this sooner. I'll look up your number tonight. Oct 686, Pilgrim , Oct 2, Dennis, no problem. No need to look. It was determined to be and it now has a new home. Len-2A Training , Oct 2, Nov 2, Messages: North Central MA. Dec 2, Messages: Great decoder - thank you for the information. StrkAliteN , Dec 3, Mar 30, Messages: Quincy MA. Awesome post! Bob J , Dec 3, Oct 24, Messages: Sturbridge, MA. Great info. Can someone help provide more info on my new no dash?

BEUxxx 4' barrel 6 shot Thank you! South Shore Mass. Cool stuff. I have a model decoder and military. It was made in the 80's and was the standard issue for police and FBI. I found the model in the same place as your picture above. The guy whom I bought the gun from didn't know where the model was!

May 13, Messages: NH Lakes Region. Can anyone tell me the history it was manufactured? Reloader38 , Jun 1500, Len-2A Training , Jun 30, Dec 15, Messages: Southeast MA. Does anyone know the DOB of my - Serial number AFF 6' 6 shot no disassembly.

Rick , Dec 27, Len-2A Training , Dec 27, Thanks LenS. Oct 30, Messages: North of Boston. It has never been fired since I have owned it. It shows significant lookup and carry history but is in good shape. The problem is I have NO idea what I have. The serial numbers have no chiefs, it has a lanyard strap in the lookup butt and Trade Mark is on the right side. Not looking for ctg as it is sentimental.

FPrice is going to help explain. This is a quandry with what we found. The revolver: I have been pointed towards this disassembly which was on American Rifleman. The video is slightly less specific about the Victory Model but is interesting. When I find out more I will let you know. Mar 29, SERE , Feb 12, Len-2A Training , Feb 12, Apr 29, Messages: Western Mass.

If you can tell me the caliber make sure it is exactly what is printed on the barrel and the serial number, I'll bet I can make a pretty good ctg. Feb 12, FPrice , Feb 12, You must log in or sign up to reply here. Show Ignored Content. Share This Page Tweet. Your lookup and email address: Do you already have an account?

Smith & Wesson Model 15
Type	Revolver
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Manufacturer	Smith & Wesson
Produced	1949–1999
Variants	Model 67 (stainless steel)
Specifications
Mass	34 oz (960 g)
Length	9+1⁄8 in (23 cm)
Barrel length	4 in (10 cm)
Cartridge	.38 Special
Feed system	6-round cylinder
Sights	Open sights

The Smith & Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece, Revolver Model 15 is a six-shot double-actionrevolver, with adjustable open sights, built on the medium-size 'K' frame. It is chambered for the .38 Specialcartridge and is fitted with a 4-inch (100 mm) barrel, though additional barrel options have been offered at various times during its production. Originally known as the 'K-38 Combat Masterpiece', it was renamed the Model 15 in 1957 when all Smith & Wesson revolvers were given numerical model numbers. It is a shorter barrel version of the Smith & Wesson Model 14 Target Masterpiece and essentially an adjustable-sight version of the seminal Smith & Wesson Model 10 ('Military and Police') revolver with target shooting features. The main production run of the Model 15 was from 1949 through 1999. It was discontinued for approximately a decade until 2011, when a re-tooled version was re-released under S&W's Classics Revolvers line.

History[edit]

S&w Serial Numbers By Year

The Smith & Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model 15^[1] is a derivative of the classic 1899 K-frame (medium frame) Military and Police .38 S&W Special (aka .38 Special) six-shot double-action revolver. The M&P underwent steady evolution throughout the 20th century and S&W spun off several variations as separate models in the post World War II years. One of these was the K-38 Target Masterpiece, which began production in 1947. The Target Masterpiece included a number of new and/or special features, including a six-inch barrel with a narrow rib to provide a level sight plane, a Patridge front sight, a micrometer click rear sight, S&W's .375” short-throw hammer, a trigger adjustment for overtravel, and improved grips.^[2] Noting the accuracy of the Target Masterpiece, a number of police departments and the FBI soon requested the same revolver with a four-inch barrel and a Baughman Quick Draw front sight. The result was the K-38 Combat Masterpiece. The major distinction between the K-38 Target Masterpiece and the K-38 Combat Masterpiece is the barrel length and the front sight.^[2]

Smith And Wesson Revolvers

In 1957 the K-38 Combat Masterpiece was renamed the Model 15 when all Smith & Wesson revolvers were given numerical model numbers. (The Military & Police and the Target Masterpiece were renamed the Model 10 and Model 14 respectively.) The model number is stamped on the frame behind the cylinder yoke, so it is visible (only) when the cylinder is open. A number of production and engineering changes have been made throughout the years, some of which are noted by a dash number suffixed to the Model number (15-1, -2, -3).

Over the years the Model 15 has been produced with several barrel lengths, with 4' (standard) and 2' (1964–1988) being the most common. In 1972 S&W released a stainless steel version as the Model 67. In 1997 the hammer and internal lockworks were modified from an on-the-hammer firing pin / internal hammer block to a floating firing pin / MIM flat hammer, and kept the hammer block that, unlike a transfer bar safety design, moves up with the trigger pull. The hammer hits a transfer bar, transferring the strike to the firing pin, while the block in a hammer block system moves down with the trigger pull, unblocking the hammer from the firing pin, allowing the hammer to strike the firing pin. These two safety systems work oppositely, but achieve the same goal of only allowing the gun to fire when the trigger is pulled all the way.

The Model 15 was a popular sidearm for law enforcement and was the standard-issue sidearm of the U.S. Air Force Police from 1962 until 1992 when it was replaced by the Beretta M9 pistol.^{[citation needed]}

Production of the Model 15 was discontinued in 1999 when Smith & Wesson was purchased and reorganized, although a couple limited run 'Heritage Series' models were released in 2001 and 2002. In 2011 Smith & Wesson re-introduced the Model 15 (15-10) under their Classics Revolvers line, newly machined, with a shrouded redesigned barrel, and a built-in trigger lock (located just above the cylinder release thumbpiece on the left side).^[2]

Specifications[edit]

Caliber: .38 S&W Special
Capacity: 6
Barrel: 4” (standard configuration)
Length overall: 9 1/8” With 4” barrel
Weight loaded: 34 oz. With 4” barrel
Sights: Front – 1/8” Baughman Quick Draw on plain ramp. Rear: S&W Micrometer Click Sight, adjustable for windage and elevation.
Frame: square butt with grooved tangs
Stocks: checked walnut service with S&W monograms
Finish: S&W (CHROME) with sandblasting and serrations around sighting area to break up light reflections
Trigger: S&W grooving with adjustable trigger stop
Ammunition: .38 S&W Special, .38 S&W Special Mid Range, .38 + p

Engineering and production changes timeline[edit]

Smith & Wesson Model 15-2

As the K-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model 15 evolved the following engineering and production changes were made:^[2]

1949, K-38 Combat Masterpiece introduced
1955, Delete upper sideplate screw
15, 1957 K-38 Combat Masterpiece continued as the Model 15; stamping of model number
15–1, 1959 Change extractor rod, right hand to left hand thread
15–2, 1961 Delete trigger guard screw, change cylinder stop
15–2, 1964 Introduce 2” heavy barrel
15–3, 1967 Relocation of rear sight leaf screw
15–3, 1968 Delete diamond grips
15–4, 1977 Change to put gas ring from yoke to cylinder; pinned barrel eliminated
15–5, 1982
15–5, 1986 Introduction of 6” and 8-3/8” barrel
15–6, 1988 New yoke retention system/ radius stud package/hammer nose bushing
15–6, 1988 Discontinue 8-3/8” and 2” barrel
15–6, 1992 Discontinue 6” barrel, blue finish only
15–7, 1994 Synthetic grips introduced, drill and tap frame, change rear seat leaf, change extractor
15–7, 1995 Delete square butt
15–7, 1996 Begin shipments in blue plastic case
15–7, 1997 4” barrel only; change to MIM thumbpiece; shipped with master trigger locks; change to MIM trigger
15–8, 1997 Changes in frame design: cylinder stop stud eliminated; eliminate serrated tangs; change to MIM hammer with floating firing pin and change internal lockworks
15–8, 1999 Model 15 discontinued in November
15–8, 2001 Limited run Lew Horton Heritage Series from the S&W Performance Center.
15–9, 2002 Limited run Lew Horton Heritage Series McGivern Models from the S&W Performance Center. 3 Models commemorating Ed McGivern's world speed records in 1934 with a revolver. All models have a Patridge front sight with Gold Bead, round butt frame with Altamount Fancy checkered service grips of that era, 6” barrel, Ed McGivern commemorative plate mounted on right side of frame, Heritage Series box.
15–10, 2011 Reintroduced in Classics Revolvers line, re-tooled, shrouded redesigned barrel, internal trigger lock. Discontinued in 2013.

Military and police usage[edit]

As the 'K-38 Combat Masterpiece', this revolver was first purchased in 1956 for the Strategic Air Command Elite Guard of the United States Air Force. From 1960 to 1969 the Air Force bought large numbers of Model 15–1, 15–2, and 15-3 revolvers with a 4' barrel. The only distinctive markings are 'U.S.A.F' on the left side of the frame. Originally all were blued, though some were reparkerized while in Air Force service.^[2] The Model 15 was the standard issue sidearm of the U.S. Air Force Air/Security Police from 1962 until 1992. It was issued to security personnel in other branches of the U.S. armed forces, including the Naval Security Forces.^[2]

The Air Force issued two types of .38 Special duty ammunition for the Model 15, originally the M41 .38 Special Ball (full metal jacket) cartridge, or the later-developed Caliber .38 Special, Ball, PGU-12/B High Velocity cartridge. The M41 was a low pressure cartridge rated at 13,000 psi, originally designed for 158-grain ball ammunition, but loaded with a 130-grain FMJ bullet. The PGU-12/B, issued only by the U.S. Air Force, had a greatly increased maximum allowable pressure rating of 20,000 psi, sufficient to propel the 130-grain FMJ bullet at 1,125 ft/s (343 m/s) from a solid 6-inch (150 mm) test barrel, and 950–980 ft/s (290–300 m/s) from a 4-inch (100 mm) revolver barrel.^[4]

The S&W Model 15 revolvers were replaced by the Beretta M9 pistol in 9×19mm caliber beginning in 1985, with complete turnover by the early 1990s.^[2]

In addition to military use, the Model 15 was issued by many police departments across the United States as well as various federal law enforcement agencies.^[2] In 1972 S&W produced a stainless steel version of the Model 15 which it termed the Model 67.^[2]

Users[edit]

The LAPD's Model 15 revolvers (and department issued Model 36 5-shot, 2-inch barrelled snub nose Smith & Wesson revolvers for detectives, plainclothes, undercover and other officers' off duty carry) were modified to be fired double-action only. This was accomplished by the department armorer who ground the full cock notch from the hammers. Officers were then trained to shoot combat style without ever cocking the weapons. This change was likely the result of unintended injuries and/or property damage, and of litigation against the LAPD after officers had cocked their weapons only to have them discharge inadvertently, possibly as a result of physical attacks or having been startled in the course of searching for suspects. In lawsuits, the principle of res ipsa loquitur was easily affirmed because 'an inadvertent weapon discharge is a negligent discharge'.^[2]

Overland Park Police Department (Kansas) used the revolver before going to semi-automatic Beretta 92 pistols.

References[edit]

^'K-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model 15', designed by Flora Mitchell Van Orden, wife of Brig. Gen. George O. Van Orden, USMC, with the attention of Tiny Helwig at the S&W head office in 1949, is the full name as it appears on the cover of the S&W owners manual
^ ^a^b^c^d^e^f^g^hⁱ^jSupica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. pp. 346–347. ISBN0-89689-293-X.
^Owner’s Manual K-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15 (05-01-0177 S&W No. 5101A)
^Military .38 Special Ammunition, The American Rifleman (March 1982), p. 68

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Smith & Wesson Model 15.

^{[dead link]}

S&w K 38 History

S&W Model 10 Part 1 - Disassembly (video) (same process and general parts as Model 15)
S&W Model 10 Part 2 - Reassembly (video) (same process and general parts as Model 15)