S&W Model 15 rescue....

by Catoosa, Saturday, May 27, 2023, 09:47 (545 days ago) @ A K Church

Three or four years ago we went to an estate auction up in the hills next to the Kentucky border. Several guns sold, but for more than they were worth IMHO. As the sale was winding down an older S&W came up. Grimy and neglected, but seemed solid. Most of the serious buyers had left, and the scruffy old Smith was about to go for $250. I just could not stand to see an S&W K-frame go that cheap so I "rescued" it for $265.

When I got it home it turned out to be an early 1950s vintage pre-Model 15 Combat Masterpiece. I cleaned the cobwebs and crud out, touched up the finish in a few places, and lightly lubed the innards. The wonderful old 1950s action came alive again. Found a set of nonmatching but correct diamond Magnas to go on it, and an old basket stamped El Paso Threepersons holster. Rob supplied a matching cartridge slide, and it made up into a pretty classy rig. This is one that will stay around as long as I can still pull a trigger.

They didn't call 'em "the Masterpiece" for nothin'.