S&W 10 or 15
- Thread starter moo123
- Start date
Assuming it's a steel frame gun.
If it has fixed sights, it's a Model 10.
If it has adjustable sights, it's a Model 15.
Or, you can simply swing the cylinder out, look on the inside of the crane (That's the split part of the frame where the cylinder swings out) and you'll see a number like 10-5 or 15-3. That's it.
That's the short version.
If it has fixed sights, it's a Model 10.
If it has adjustable sights, it's a Model 15.
Or, you can simply swing the cylinder out, look on the inside of the crane (That's the split part of the frame where the cylinder swings out) and you'll see a number like 10-5 or 15-3. That's it.
That's the short version.
Winchester_73
New member
Cajun bass is right except with that SN, it has to be either a combat masterpiece aka model 15 or perhaps a target masterpiece if a 6 in a model 14.
In those days, many J frame guns had no prefix, the K frame target and combat guns had a K prefix, model 10s would have had a C. After the C, came the D prefix later. N frames at the time had a S prefix. Many people refer to this as the "old S frame guns" but it was still the N frame. It was just the prefix that changed. It became the "N" that we all know today around 1968.
I also am not sure if it will be a model marked gun. I think my 1953 K-22 is a K207XXX. Your gun is probably from the 1955 to 1957 time frame. It might be a 4 or a 5 screw (upper side plate screw makes it 5 screw, its in front of the hammer on the right side).
In those days, many J frame guns had no prefix, the K frame target and combat guns had a K prefix, model 10s would have had a C. After the C, came the D prefix later. N frames at the time had a S prefix. Many people refer to this as the "old S frame guns" but it was still the N frame. It was just the prefix that changed. It became the "N" that we all know today around 1968.
I also am not sure if it will be a model marked gun. I think my 1953 K-22 is a K207XXX. Your gun is probably from the 1955 to 1957 time frame. It might be a 4 or a 5 screw (upper side plate screw makes it 5 screw, its in front of the hammer on the right side).
S&W pics
thanks, neither model 10 or 15 visible
R with 33996 under it on the crane with the cylinder open.
it has adjustable sites. does that now mean 15?
i received a pm telling me not to put the complete serial number in a post. is this forum policy? if not what reason would there be?
i am a collector and when stuck for information and i post on other forums and giving the complete serial number has been helpful many times.
thanks, neither model 10 or 15 visible
R with 33996 under it on the crane with the cylinder open.
it has adjustable sites. does that now mean 15?
i received a pm telling me not to put the complete serial number in a post. is this forum policy? if not what reason would there be?
i am a collector and when stuck for information and i post on other forums and giving the complete serial number has been helpful many times.
Attachments
Cajun Bass and Winchester have it..
the serial number dates it as a 1956
and The K designation was used in the serial numbers
in these models 14,15,16,17,18,1948,53,66,67,68 and their pre model number variations.
in 1957 the model number started being stamped in the crane
so it looks like its a pre model 15 or a combat masterpiece
they are a fine shooter..the mate would be a model 18, same frame, near same weight, but in 22lr.
the 14 and 17 were 6" models
the 15 and 18 were 4"
enjoy it..
the serial number dates it as a 1956
and The K designation was used in the serial numbers
in these models 14,15,16,17,18,1948,53,66,67,68 and their pre model number variations.
in 1957 the model number started being stamped in the crane
so it looks like its a pre model 15 or a combat masterpiece
they are a fine shooter..the mate would be a model 18, same frame, near same weight, but in 22lr.
the 14 and 17 were 6" models
the 15 and 18 were 4"
enjoy it..
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From the serial number you have a Combat Masterpiece that was shipped in 1956, this was one year before S&W changed form model names to model numbers. Your should have some sort of collectors value.
Would you be willing to let us know what you paid for it?
P.s. just noticed yours has diamond magnas, very nice.
P.p.s some folks don't post the full serial number to prevent another party from Falsely claiming you have their revolver that was stolen years ago. I don’t know if this has ever happened but nothing would surprise me in this day and age.
Would you be willing to let us know what you paid for it?
P.s. just noticed yours has diamond magnas, very nice.
P.p.s some folks don't post the full serial number to prevent another party from Falsely claiming you have their revolver that was stolen years ago. I don’t know if this has ever happened but nothing would surprise me in this day and age.
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thanks to all, interesting stuff.
i guess it makes sense about the serial numbers.
my guns are all registered, so if one got by the nics, i would be glad to return it.
old bear, i paid the buyers asking price, $100, it was his grandfathers gun.
i am really not a 38spl fan, and bought 2 in a week the other is a dan wesson, i thought model 14, turns out to be a model 8 (whatever that means).
i wrote to the dan wesson site, sent pics etc., also a nice bunch, but did not get a lot of detailed info.
tks
pat
i guess it makes sense about the serial numbers.
my guns are all registered, so if one got by the nics, i would be glad to return it.
old bear, i paid the buyers asking price, $100, it was his grandfathers gun.
i am really not a 38spl fan, and bought 2 in a week the other is a dan wesson, i thought model 14, turns out to be a model 8 (whatever that means).
i wrote to the dan wesson site, sent pics etc., also a nice bunch, but did not get a lot of detailed info.
tks
pat
Winchester_73
New member
Its also a 4 screw. Trigger guard screw without upper side plate screw.
Very nice 38 combat masterpiece / pre model 15.
Its worth about $125 in its current condition. I would buy it and this way you could make 25% on it. Its a good idea.
Very nice 38 combat masterpiece / pre model 15.
Its worth about $125 in its current condition. I would buy it and this way you could make 25% on it. Its a good idea.
. If you bought it from a friend or coworker you need to get them a good bottle of liquor or treat them to a NICE lunch
Winchester_73
New member
It depends on the era. Alternate barrel lengths are RARE on 5 screw pre model number guns. You are right in what you said. They also made an 8 3/8 model 48 22 mag target masterpiece and IIRC 8 3/8 model 53 22 rem jet a well. These are all K frame target masterpiece guns. I am not sure if the model 16 was offered in that barrel length, but it didn't sell well anyways.
After you get into the model marked guns, post 1957, model 14s were 6, 8 3/8 and a short run of 4in barrel guns. Model 17s were 6 in mostly, with 8 3/8 for a short time and then some 40 to 50 years later, when the 18 was discontinued, the 17 was in 4in. The model 15 was offered in a 2 in barrel, not 2.5in. 2.5 in was a combat magnum barrel length aka 19/66. The 2 in model 15 was designated to basically to replace the model 56, which was the same concept, a target sight 38 k frame snub.
Per carguychris, model 15s were also available as 6in or 8 3/8 guns as well. You may ask, well isn't that a 14? No, its not, because the models 15 and 18 had the lightweight taper barrels, whereas the 14 and 17, 48 and 16 had the heavy weight barrel. In addition, combat masterpieces usually had ramp aka baughman front sights whereas the target masterpieces often had target aka patridge (NOT paRtridge, patridge) front sights.
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Winchester_73
New member
No its not a policy, its an old wive's tale that if you do that, you could risk someone claiming the gun as their own. I never heard of it actually happening BUT on the other hand, the last 2 of a SN are seldom needed for dating or identification purposes. If a SN ends in a letter, like many Colts do, always put that such as 27XX J. In your case, we could have gave you the same info with a sn given as K 267XXX.
Anytime you post a SN, be sure its the correct length and be sure to post ANY prefixes or suffixes. Aside from that, the last 2 numbers can be X's as I said.
swing open the crane and you will see model number and production variant. "10-4" or whatever the model is. nice purchase and congrats. dont ever sell it, give it away when money no longer matters to someone who will appreciate it and not sell it for 100 bucks to just anyone.
Winchester_73
New member
Its clearly a model 15 variant, and if you read the first post, it is NOT model marked in the crane. That only started in 1957, prior to that, the models were mostly named guns such as "38 combat masterpiece" which this gun is. Since we already know that the gun was made in 1956, with model numbers starting only in 1957, so it cannot be model marked.
Read (re-read?) post #5 - it has all the info you need.
aarondhgraham
New member
You have a true classic,,,
Your Combat Masterpiece used to be the issue sidearm for the USAF.
There is a strong argument that it is the finest .38 special revolver ever made.
I don't know if I go that far,,,
But it is my all-time personal favorite revolver.
Here is what the 2010 Standard Catalogue of Firearms has to say about it:
Remember though,,,
This book is almost 3 years old now,,,
I believe the value estimates have gone up a bit in that time.
Three years ago I paid $500.00 for an absolutely pristine specimen,,,
It included the original box, tool kit, and packaging,,,
I was happy to get it for that price.
Aarond
.
Your Combat Masterpiece used to be the issue sidearm for the USAF.
There is a strong argument that it is the finest .38 special revolver ever made.
I don't know if I go that far,,,
But it is my all-time personal favorite revolver.
Here is what the 2010 Standard Catalogue of Firearms has to say about it:
Remember though,,,
This book is almost 3 years old now,,,
I believe the value estimates have gone up a bit in that time.
Three years ago I paid $500.00 for an absolutely pristine specimen,,,
It included the original box, tool kit, and packaging,,,
I was happy to get it for that price.
Aarond
.