S&W 15-3 mfg date?

[erniestu]

I'm looking at a 15-3 that the seller notes was manufactured in 1955.
I thought that -3 series wasn't built till the mid-60s...am I missing something?
Any questions I should be asking?
Thanks.

 

[BillCA]

First of all, be wary of what this seller tells you. Either he's full of bovine dung or he's trying to get more money by passing it off as an "older" gun.

S&W did not start marking model numbers on it's guns until 1957.
Thus, if it's stamped "Mod 15" or "Model 15" in the yoke, it's a '57 or later gun.

The -3 variant was introduced in 1967 (relocated the rear sight leaf screw) and in 1968 the -3 lost the beautiful diamond insert grips.

If you can get the serial number and post it in the form of A-123xxx we can provide a manufacturing date (or year range) for you.

As this gun is approaching it's 40th year, carefully inspect it to make sure it's in good condition. Read Jim March's excellent posting on How to check out a used revolver before parting with your cash.

 

[erniestu]

S# K8662xx

BillCA, thanks for your note.
The seller says the S# is K8662xx and the 15-3 stamp is on the crane arm. He says the box S# matches the gun and that paperwork inside the box indicates at 1955 date, but it's unclear to me if that's just a trademark or manual date or something else.
Any ideas?
Thanks again.