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	91⁄8 in (23 cm)
Barrel length	4 in (10 cm)
Cartridge	.38 Special
Feed system	6-round cylinder
Sights	Open sights

1. Smith And Wesson Serial Number Date Of Manufacture K Frame
2. Smith And Wesson Serial Number Date Of Manufacture K Frame For Sale

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.

The Smith & Wesson K-38 Combat Masterpiece, Revolver Model 15 is a six-shot double-action revolver, with adjustable open sights, built on the medium-size 'K' frame.It is chambered for the.38 Special cartridge 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. Model 17-5 with 8-3/8 heavy barrel and wide target hammer and trigger serial number BBB1573 September 1988. Not for certain what screwdriver, if any, came with your gun, but I bought a M617 in 1989 and it came with a little oval piece of blue metal, about the size of a half dollar, that had a screwdriver blade at each end.

Serial numbers assigned in chronological order. For 1927-1944 year of manufacture date codes, see 'Spanish Year Of MFG. Date Codes' in this section. # end 1999Since 1968-1969 was a transition period in Browning 0001 1999 -1- 222509. .Note that a number of N frames with serials in the S138000-S140000 range (and the range may be wider either way) are seen that were shipped much later than the serial would suggest should be the case. In one known example a gun with serial S136431 was not shipped until June of 1958. Need some help guys. I loaned my S&W book out to a friend, and now I have someone asking me about a date of manufacture. His is a K-22 with a serial number of K91xx.

History[edit]

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]

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 blued carbon steel 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

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.

See also[edit]

• The Model 10 Military & Police (cornerstone of the S&W .38 Special line of revolvers)
• The Model 14 Target Masterpiece (6' barrel predecessor to the Model 15)
• The Model 18 Combat Masterpiece (.22 caliber version of the Model 15)
• The Model 19 Combat Magnum (.357 magnum version of the model 15)
• The Model 67, the stainless steel version of the Model 15

References[edit]

1. ^'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
2. ^ ^abcdefghijSupica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. pp. 346–347. ISBN0-89689-293-X.
3. ^Owner’s Manual K-38 Combat Masterpiece Revolver Model No. 15 (05-01-0177 S&W No. 5101A)
4. ^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 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)

HISTORY OF SMITH & WESSON
Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson formed a partnership in 1852 to manufacture a firearm that could fire a fully self-contained cartridge. From the beginning, Smith & Wesson® firearms were noted for their innovative design, high quality production and reliability. The accomplishments of Smith & Wesson are numerous and its contributions to the history of firearms are vast. Smith & Wesson was an industry leader in 1852 when it was first founded and continues to lead the world today with innovations into the 21st century.
Over 165 Years of Excellence.
1852
A Partnership is Forged
Horace Smith & D. B. Wesson form a partnership to manufacture a firearm that can fire a fully self-contained cartridge.

1854
The Volcanic Pistol
The first American firearm capable of firing a fully self-contained cartridge was manufactured by Smith & Wesson in 1852. This repeating pistol fired as quickly as the shooter could operate the lever and it was dubbed “The Volcanic,” since the rapid-fire sequence appeared to have the force of an erupting volcano.

1857
Model 1 Revolver
Originally called the Seven Shooter, the Model 1 was introduced in 1857. This .22 rim fire revolver was the first practical cartridge revolver and its introduction heralded the end of percussion firearms.
1870
Model 3 American Revolver
Introduced in the summer of 1870, the Model 3 American was the first large caliber, centerfire, cartridge revolver manufactured in the United States.
1880
.38 Double Action Revolver

Smith And Wesson Serial Number Date Of Manufacture K Frame

By 1880, the demand for self-cocking revolvers was so great that Smith & Wesson introduced a complete series in three different caliber sizes.
1887
● .38 Safety Hammerless Revolver
In the early 1880s, D.B. Wesson and his son, Joseph, began developing a revolver that didn’t have an external hammer. The Safety Hammerless, which debuted in 1887, was the world’s first double action concealed hammer revolver.
1899
.38 Military & Police Revolver
In 1899, Smith & Wesson introduced what would become its most successful revolver, the .38 Military & Police. Everything about this firearm was innovative, from its solid frame and its hand ejector system to the cartridges it fired. The .38 Military & Police, now known as the Model 10 revolver, has been in continuous production since 1899, and over six million units have been produced.
1913
.35 Automatic Pistol
After years of development and testing, Smith & Wesson produced its first automatic pistol on May 3, 1913. The .35 Automatic featured two safety devices and was available in blue or nickel for $16.50. The odd caliber and production stoppages due to the more important war time production of World War I, kept sales of the .35 Automatic relatively low. A total of 8,350 units were manufactured until 1922.
1935
.357 Magnum® Revolver
Initially conceived of as a custom-built, heavy load, deluxe handgun in 1934, the .357 Magnum revolver quickly caught the interest of law enforcement agencies. Handgun cartridges of the day could not penetrate bulletproof glass and armor-plated vehicles, but the .357 Magnum cartridge could. Many of these revolvers were purchased by numerous law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
1942
Victory Model M&P® Revolver
During World War II, the British Commonwealth approached Smith & Wesson for revolvers. The guns, which were basically an updated version of the .38 Military & Police revolver, were eventually given a V prefix on their serial number and called Victory Models. By the war’s end, Smith & Wesson had made over 800,000 revolvers for Allied troops.
1950
Model 36, Chiefs Special® Revolver
This small revolver, designed primarily for plainclothes and off-duty police officers, made its public debut at a police conference in 1950. At the conference, the Smith & Wesson sales force asked the police chiefs to vote on a name for the new revolver. The most commonly suggested name was .38 Chiefs Special.
1955
Model 39 Pistol
In 1955, the first American-made double action auto-loading pistol, the Model 39, was introduced. In 1968, the Illinois State Police adopted it and the Model 39 became the first 9mm Double Action auto-loading pistol ever used by any state law enforcement agency in the United States.
Model 29, .44 Magnum® Revolver
At the urging of handgunner Elmer Keith, Smith & Wesson developed the .44 Magnum. Completed in 1955, the .44 Magnum revolver was originally available in two barrel lengths, 4 inches and 6 ½ inches. The model sold well and in a few years a third barrel length of 8 3/8 inches was added. Demand for the firearm decreased in the 1960s but skyrocketed in the 1970s after the release of the film, Dirty Harry, starring Clint Eastwood. In 2005, Field & Stream rated the Model 29 revolver as the 5th best gun ever made, the only handgun to make their top ten.
1957
Model 41 Pistol

Smith And Wesson Serial Number Date Of Manufacture K Frame For Sale

Prior to World War II, most competitive shooters shot revolvers. After the war the trend to use autoloaders became more popular. Smith & Wesson began the development of a high-grade .22 caliber rim fire target pistol in the late 1940s. The pistols were heavily tested, adjusted and modified for almost ten years. Finally, in 1957, the Model 41 pistol was made available to the public.
1961
Model 52 Pistol
In 1960, the U.S. Army Marksmanship Training Unit asked Smith & Wesson to build a pistol similar to the Model 39 pistol that could fire the newly developed .38 AMU cartridge. The Model 52 pistol was the most accurate target pistol of its day and featured an innovative ball-bushing barrel.
1965
Model 60, Stainless Steel Chiefs Special® Revolver
The Model 60 revolver was the first stainless steel handgun manufactured by Smith & Wesson. Originally available in a highly polished finish, the finish was changed to a satin polish after law enforcement agencies objected to the bright finish.
1979
Model 439 Pistol
Smith & Wesson debuts the first of the Second Generation pistols, updated and stainless steel versions of the semi-automatic pistol line. The Model 439 pistol is an updated version of the Model 39 pistol featuring an alloy frame. It is a Second Generation semi-automatic pistol, denoted by the three digit model number. First generation models have a two-digit model number, Second generation models have three digits, and Third generation models have four-digits.
1987
Third Generation Semi-Automatics
With 42 models in 121 variations, Smith & Wesson’s Third Generation Semi-Automatics were the broadest handgun line in the world.
1990
Model 4006 Pistol
The Model 4006 is a 3rd Generation pistol first introduced in January 1990 alongside the new .40 S&W cartridge. The .40 S&W cartridge was developed jointly with Winchester in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who had requested a 10mm cartridge loaded to less-than-full-power. The result was the shorter .40 S&W that allowed for a more comfortable grip when used in a double-stack magazine. Early detractors doubted the viability of the cartridge, but today it is one of the most successful law enforcement cartridges.
2003
Model S&W500™
An entirely new frame size was developed to fire the new .500 S&W Magnum cartridge. The Model S&W500 revolver is the biggest, heaviest, most-powerful factory production, double action revolver in the world.
2005
M&P® Pistol
Smith & Wesson debuts the M&P Pistol Series, a new line of polymer-frame pistols. Championed by law enforcement officials, the new line is adopted by over 100 departments in its first year.
2006
M&P®15 Rifle
The M&P15 rifle, a modern sporting rifle, was introduced. It is first in the highly successful M&P® Rifle Series.
2011
M&P®15 -22 Rifle
Introduced in 2009, the M&P15-22 rifle offers the fit and feel of the popular M&P15 rifle, while chambered in the more economical .22LR ammunition. In 2010, ground-breaking rifle received the “Rifle of the Year” award from the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence.
2012
M&P Shield® Pistols
This slim, concealable, lightweight, striker fired pistol is released. Within three years, one million of these pistols were manufactured.
2015
SW22 Victory® Pistol
The SW22 Victory, a modular design, metal-framed pistol with fiber optic front and rear sights. This highly customizable and incredibly accurate blow back .22 pistol will keep you on target round after round, and provide years of unmatched performance.
2017
M&P® M2.0™ Pistol
Building on the proven reliability and success of the M&P pistol series, M&P M2.0 pistol is the culmination of a decade of research and design. Designed for professional, personal and sporting use, the M&P M2.0 pistol features upgrades to nearly every aspect including trigger, grip, frame, and finish.