What model S&W is this?

[farmerjohn]

Need some of you S&W gurus to tell me what model this is. Like Dusty I wish I could buy every S&W that has the firing pin on the hammer. Picked this one up this week, I like the 38 spec anyway. K on the butt, but a 35 doesn't make sense to me, pinned but not recessed... any help would be much appreciated, John

 

[norton850]

Early model 15. Before S&W number there revolvers. You found a great one.

 

[Bill K]

Early Model 15 and the beginning of the Model 19, I believe.

 

[rogina]

Need some of you S&W gurus to tell me what model this is. Like Dusty I wish I could buy every S&W that has the firing pin on the hammer. Picked this one up this week, I like the 38 spec anyway. K on the butt, but a 35 doesn't make sense to me, pinned but not recessed... any help would be much appreciated, JohnView attachment 1203058 View attachment 1203059 View attachment 1203060

None of the model 15's were ever recessed.

 

[norton850]

Read what he said, not recessed. Pre model 15, no model numbers used until about 1956. It is a pre model 15. No 38s were recessed as far as I know just 357s.

 

[farmerjohn]

Thank you guys a lot, guess I should get me a book as much as I like the old Smith's, I thought that the K thing was a later adding. And I thought that pinned and recessed were an early thing and recessed was dropped first and then they stopped with the pinning. If it's a Winchester you can't fool me back to the Henry, but man these Smith's are something... thanks again John

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Very nice piece john.

 

[jds holler]

Looks like it's got the wide hammer spur and trigger. --I think. What a peach. jd

 

[tsyarnall]

That sure looks like a nice one.

 

[farmerjohn]

Yes, it looks like what I would call target sights, trigger, and hammer
, I just never thought about it being pre 1956, I figured late 70s
John

 

[Ken]

A call to S&W might help get more info if you want more.

 

[biggun2869]

Yes, it looks like what I would call target sights, trigger, and hammer
, I just never thought about it being pre 1956, I figured late 70s
John

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas is a great book. They are available and not that expensive. By the way I have one of the 4" model 14 Target Masterpiecesthat my book says they made 184 of them in 1965 pg 112. I have heard there is a later book where they found some more of them but I have never seen a copy. Gary

 

[dickn52]

My first duty weapon was a K model Masterpiece Mod 15. Very nice weapons.

 

[Bill K]

My first duty weapon was a K model Masterpiece Mod 15. Very nice weapons.

You must have stated a little prior to me.(61) My first duty weapon was the model 19. It was a very sweet handgun also.

 

[sdbob]

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas is a great book. They are available and not that expensive. By the way I have one of the 4" model 14 Target Masterpiecesthat my book says they made 184 of them in 1965 pg 112. I have heard there is a later book where they found some more of them but I have never seen a copy. Gary

Amazon has the 2016 edition hardcover for $40.....enjoy

 

[Minshooter]

Be aware there are several editions of this book.
Each adds more information, and some more color photos.
I believe the 4th edition is the latest, but someone else fill in if that's not correct.

You won't be disappointed in this book.

 

[jepp2]

Yes, it looks like what I would call target sights, trigger, and hammer

I think you will find the hammer is the 0.375" width which isn't a target hammer. The trigger is the standard issue and the front sight is the ramp style vs the Patridge style. And excellent early S&W. Are the grips numbered to the frame? I would guess they are. The official legal serial number is the one stamped on the bottom of the grip frame.

 

[shoot4fun]

@farmerjohn how many side plate screws on yours?

 

[farmerjohn]

I think you will find the hammer is the 0.375" width which isn't a target hammer. The trigger is the standard issue and the front sight is the ramp style vs the Patridge style. And excellent early S&W. Are the grips numbered to the frame? I would guess they are. The official legal serial number is the one stamped on the bottom of the grip frame.

You are exactly right, .375 hammer and the serial number is on the inside of the grip and @shoot4fun , looks to have 3 screws on the right side...

 

[shoot4fun]

I think they went to that side plate around 1955 and would have started model numbers stamped in the yoke around 1957.
If so, they likely referred to that one as a K38-Combat Masterpiece. Very nice revolver!