Combat Masterpiece

napg19 · April 30, 2010, 10:15 PM

Back in 1975 I bought a Combat Masterpiece 38 Spl. with target hammer and trigger, 4" bbl. blued. Cannot remember if it was a model 15 or 17 or ? Bought it new. Sold it and many other guns to help move my family away from IMO crime ridden southern california. Don't regret the move, but that gun was so smooth and felt so natural in my hand I'd swear I was born with it in my hand. I would like to find another. Get some help on the model number please, and maybe some day I'll get lucky. Thanks.

Casimer · April 30, 2010, 10:31 PM

That's a Model 15.

napg19 · April 30, 2010, 11:04 PM

Thanks, Richard.

Casimer · April 30, 2010, 11:50 PM

You're welcome.

Here's a bunch of them - http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Sea...CountryCode=++

Webleymkv · May 1, 2010, 12:27 AM

S&W made four "Masterpiece" revolvers. The M15 was the K-38 Combat masterpiece and came with a 4" tapered barrel while the M14 was the K-38 Target Masterpiece and came with a 6" heavy barrel. The M17 was the K-22 Target masterpiece and like the M14 had a 6" heavy barrel. The M18 was the K-22 Combat Masterpiece and like the M15 came with a 4" tapered barrel. The M15 and M17 also have stainless steel counterparts being the M67 and M617 respectively.

Another interesting note, the M15 was the forerunner to the M19 Combat Magnum which differed in that it had a 2 1/2", 4", or 6" heavy underlugged barrel and was chambered in .357 Magnum. Also the M66 was the stainless version of the M19.

napg19 · May 1, 2010, 11:08 AM

Thanks again guys. Gun Broker has 2 mint one's. It'll take awhile to save for this venture but I see it will be worth it. I didn't really expect to see the $177 new price I paid for it in the 70's. This is the only time a man is allowed to whine, HA. I knew I should have bought 12 of every cool gun I saw back then. For the 15," I love it when a plan comes together" the colonel from the A Team.

aarondhgraham · May 1, 2010, 01:25 PM

IMHO (which actually means nothing at all),,,

The Model 15 Combat Masterpiece is the finest .38 ever made.

Now I'm going to sit back and read all the comments by people who think I am crazy and want to know what my criteria of "best" is.

My criteria is simply that of every .38 I have ever owned or fired,,,
That one was always my stand out favorite.

Try and find a Model 18 to go with it,,,
it's the .22 LR twin.

Cheap range shooting,,,
With exactly the same feel.

Casimer · May 1, 2010, 01:45 PM

A mint Model 15 on GB is going to be a little pricey, especially an older one. GB prices are often high to begin with + there's a large community of S&W collectors. But the 15's aren't uncommon. They were popular as service revolvers. You could probably find a nice one for a lot less through a local shop or gun show.

aarondhgraham · May 1, 2010, 02:11 PM

$439.00 and I think it is somewhere between very good and excellent.

They are not a rare handgun at all,,,
Don't think you have to buy the first one you see.

In January I found one that looked to be unfired,,,
It came with the box, unopened tool/cleaning kit, and papers,,,
I realize I got a great deal on it but I walked out the door for $500.00 even.

Casimer is correct,,,
People tend to pay high prices on GunBroker,,,
My Dad, who has been a reseller all his life, calls it "Auction Fever".

The 2010 Standard Catalogue of Firearms lists these price values:
Exc = 475
V.G. = 350
Good = 200
Fair = 175
poor = 125

I hope this helps,,,

roaddog28 · May 1, 2010, 04:02 PM

Hi,
Combat masterpieces are the best 38 special revolvers ever made. But like others said they are not rare and plenty of them do exist. I bought a pre-15 combat masterpiece for $299 a little over a year ago. The revolver has holster wear and was carried a lot. Might have been a police revolver. I just saw one on gunbroker about a week ago go for $330. My advice is be patient and you should pickup a shooters grade one for $300 to $375. I would not pay more. A unfired one with box and papers is worth $400 to $500 tops. Gunbroker for the most part are high on their auctions. But sometimes you find a reasonable buy.

Good luck,
roaddog28

napg19 · May 1, 2010, 06:27 PM

Thanks again, these posts are helping alot. I did notice that model numbers had a dash after the 15 even though they were all 4" bbl. that I was looking at. I'm not familier with Smith's numbering system. I thought it meant length of barrel. I will keep a lookout for a model 18 also.

aarondhgraham · May 1, 2010, 06:47 PM

Mine is a Model 15-4,,,
That means Model 15, 4th revision of the design.

Unfortunately I am not near my S&W book,,,
I can't tell you what dates the revisions were made.

S&W was kind of funny about barrel lengths,,,
For instance the Model 15 was catalogued as a 4" barrel,,,
But you do see 2" barrel models showing up at auction all the time.

I saw a 6" barrel version at a gun show one time,,,
But I think it was re-barreled with one meant for a Model 14.

Basically none of the model numbers had a specific barrel length,,,
A most common barrel length for sure,,,
But a single length per model,,,
Nope.

Now watch,,,
Having said that,,,
One of the real experts will prove me wrong.

napg19 · May 1, 2010, 06:57 PM

Thanks, Richard.

James K · May 1, 2010, 07:19 PM

Many (too many) years ago, I knew a police officer in Virginia. His issue duty gun was a beat to heck Colt OP. One day he was standing beside his car when I noticed the square notch in the front of his holster. I asked, with a smile, what part of the OP fitted that hole. He laughed, reached through the open car window and opened the glove box. He told me that when he reported for duty, the OP rode in his holster, but when he went on patrol, the Colt went in the glove box and THIS went in the holster. THIS was a Combat Masterpiece.

FWIW, the .22 version was produced for officers who carried the .38 Combat Masterpiece or the M&P and wanted a .22 for a training/practice gun.

Jim

aarondhgraham · May 1, 2010, 07:36 PM

Shooting off a rest or with a shooting stick,,,
I can hit clay pigeons 2-3 out of five shots at 50 yards.

My Model 15 dates from 1966,,,
It's well worn but not worn out at all,,,
In fact it has the best trigger of all my S&W's.

With the outrageous ammo costs these days,,,
My .22 LR companion pieces are great guns to own.

James K · May 1, 2010, 07:54 PM

Please don't take this wrong, but that gun should hit the clay birds every shot at 50 yards with decent ammo.

Jim

napg19 · May 1, 2010, 08:01 PM

Will the 15 take today's 38+P ammo?

aarondhgraham · May 1, 2010, 08:07 PM

If a half-blind old fart like myself can hit the pigeons even half of the time,,,
Think what a young eagle-eyed buck should be able to do with it.

A 3.5" clay pigeon is still "minute of jack-rabbit",,,
Come the revolution (or the next Red Dawn),,,
I'll still be able to feed my sorry old butt.

At least until that afore-mentioned eagle-eyed young buck,,,
Shoots me for my ammo and oh-so-fine brace of guns,,,
The brigand will probably get my Model 15 as well,,,
Curse his eagle-eyes to Hades and back!

Casimer · May 1, 2010, 09:37 PM

The rule of thumb for S&W's w/ +P is that it's OK for those w/ model numbers - i.e. if there's a model number, like 15, stamped on the yoke. IIRC these were implemented in 1957(?).

aarondhgraham · May 1, 2010, 10:32 PM

Before I call it a night,,,

Don't forget about the S&W Model 67,,,
It's the Stainless Steel version of the Model 15.

It doesn't have the nostalgic presence of the Model 15,,,
But I have seen them go for far lower prices than the Model 15.

But it is essentially the exact same handgun,,,
Gunbroker.com has eight of them listed for auction right now.

G'Night everyone,,,

napg19 · May 1, 2010, 10:35 PM

Thanks, Richard.

QUINTANASENA · May 1, 2010, 11:14 PM

I carried one on the job in early 1970's and like a dummy eventually sold it for an auto. Finally found another one and it only cost me $350 and it is in excellent condition. Little blue off from the left side of the tip of the barrel from holster wear, but other wise in great shape. I am happy a as a lark now!!

madcratebuilder · May 2, 2010, 10:33 AM

napg19, this should be similar to your old S&W, a 4 inch M15 K-38 Combat Masterpiece.

The model 14 K-38 Target Masterpiece fits your hand very nice, like the M15 it defines accuracy.

napg19 · May 2, 2010, 11:10 AM

Cool Pic's. That's exactly it. the accuracy part, never was a good shot but there was a few times that 15 made me look good when out with the guys. Thanks.

Oldjarhead · May 2, 2010, 11:46 AM

The Smith and Wesson Model 15 Combat Masterpiece .38 special, was the standard issue to the USAF Security Police for years. It was finally replaced by the Beretta 9mm. It was a fine weapon. The SP's used the factory issue with the round small factory stocks. The sorry 130 grain FMJ NATO round in it was worthless. I think pilots carried a snub version of it, but I can't recall exactly. I came across many AF SPs in the service. Some of them may be members of this forum and can relate more to you. Good luck finding one.

April 30, 2010, 10:15 PM	#1
napg19 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 434	Combat Masterpiece Back in 1975 I bought a Combat Masterpiece 38 Spl. with target hammer and trigger, 4" bbl. blued. Cannot remember if it was a model 15 or 17 or ? Bought it new. Sold it and many other guns to help move my family away from IMO crime ridden southern california. Don't regret the move, but that gun was so smooth and felt so natural in my hand I'd swear I was born with it in my hand. I would like to find another. Get some help on the model number please, and maybe some day I'll get lucky. Thanks.

May 1, 2010, 11:08 AM	#6
napg19 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 434	Thanks again guys. Gun Broker has 2 mint one's. It'll take awhile to save for this venture but I see it will be worth it. I didn't really expect to see the $177 new price I paid for it in the 70's. This is the only time a man is allowed to whine, HA. I knew I should have bought 12 of every cool gun I saw back then. For the 15," I love it when a plan comes together" the colonel from the A Team. Last edited by napg19; May 1, 2010 at 11:34 AM.

May 1, 2010, 01:25 PM	#7
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	You won't be sorry,,, IMHO (which actually means nothing at all),,, The Model 15 Combat Masterpiece is the finest .38 ever made. Now I'm going to sit back and read all the comments by people who think I am crazy and want to know what my criteria of "best" is. My criteria is simply that of every .38 I have ever owned or fired,,, That one was always my stand out favorite. Try and find a Model 18 to go with it,,, it's the .22 LR twin. Cheap range shooting,,, With exactly the same feel. __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

May 1, 2010, 02:11 PM	#9
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	My Evil Pawn Shop Guy has one now,,, $439.00 and I think it is somewhere between very good and excellent. They are not a rare handgun at all,,, Don't think you have to buy the first one you see. In January I found one that looked to be unfired,,, It came with the box, unopened tool/cleaning kit, and papers,,, I realize I got a great deal on it but I walked out the door for $500.00 even. Casimer is correct,,, People tend to pay high prices on GunBroker,,, My Dad, who has been a reseller all his life, calls it "Auction Fever". The 2010 Standard Catalogue of Firearms lists these price values: Exc = 475 V.G. = 350 Good = 200 Fair = 175 poor = 125 I hope this helps,,, __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

May 1, 2010, 06:47 PM	#12
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	The numbers after the dash are the revision numbers,,, Mine is a Model 15-4,,, That means Model 15, 4th revision of the design. Unfortunately I am not near my S&W book,,, I can't tell you what dates the revisions were made. S&W was kind of funny about barrel lengths,,, For instance the Model 15 was catalogued as a 4" barrel,,, But you do see 2" barrel models showing up at auction all the time. I saw a 6" barrel version at a gun show one time,,, But I think it was re-barreled with one meant for a Model 14. Basically none of the model numbers had a specific barrel length,,, A most common barrel length for sure,,, But a single length per model,,, Nope. Now watch,,, Having said that,,, One of the real experts will prove me wrong. __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

April 30, 2010, 10:31 PM	#2
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	That's a Model 15.

April 30, 2010, 11:04 PM	#3
napg19 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 434	Thanks, Richard.

April 30, 2010, 11:50 PM	#4
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	You're welcome. Here's a bunch of them - http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Sea...CountryCode=++

May 1, 2010, 12:27 AM	#5
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,610	S&W made four "Masterpiece" revolvers. The M15 was the K-38 Combat masterpiece and came with a 4" tapered barrel while the M14 was the K-38 Target Masterpiece and came with a 6" heavy barrel. The M17 was the K-22 Target masterpiece and like the M14 had a 6" heavy barrel. The M18 was the K-22 Combat Masterpiece and like the M15 came with a 4" tapered barrel. The M15 and M17 also have stainless steel counterparts being the M67 and M617 respectively. Another interesting note, the M15 was the forerunner to the M19 Combat Magnum which differed in that it had a 2 1/2", 4", or 6" heavy underlugged barrel and was chambered in .357 Magnum. Also the M66 was the stainless version of the M19.

May 1, 2010, 01:45 PM	#8
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	A mint Model 15 on GB is going to be a little pricey, especially an older one. GB prices are often high to begin with + there's a large community of S&W collectors. But the 15's aren't uncommon. They were popular as service revolvers. You could probably find a nice one for a lot less through a local shop or gun show.

May 1, 2010, 04:02 PM	#10
roaddog28 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 961	Hi, Combat masterpieces are the best 38 special revolvers ever made. But like others said they are not rare and plenty of them do exist. I bought a pre-15 combat masterpiece for $299 a little over a year ago. The revolver has holster wear and was carried a lot. Might have been a police revolver. I just saw one on gunbroker about a week ago go for $330. My advice is be patient and you should pickup a shooters grade one for $300 to $375. I would not pay more. A unfired one with box and papers is worth $400 to $500 tops. Gunbroker for the most part are high on their auctions. But sometimes you find a reasonable buy. Good luck, roaddog28

May 1, 2010, 06:27 PM	#11
napg19 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 434	Thanks again, these posts are helping alot. I did notice that model numbers had a dash after the 15 even though they were all 4" bbl. that I was looking at. I'm not familier with Smith's numbering system. I thought it meant length of barrel. I will keep a lookout for a model 18 also.

May 1, 2010, 06:57 PM	#13
napg19 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 434	Thanks, Richard.

May 1, 2010, 07:19 PM	#14
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Many (too many) years ago, I knew a police officer in Virginia. His issue duty gun was a beat to heck Colt OP. One day he was standing beside his car when I noticed the square notch in the front of his holster. I asked, with a smile, what part of the OP fitted that hole. He laughed, reached through the open car window and opened the glove box. He told me that when he reported for duty, the OP rode in his holster, but when he went on patrol, the Colt went in the glove box and THIS went in the holster. THIS was a Combat Masterpiece. FWIW, the .22 version was produced for officers who carried the .38 Combat Masterpiece or the M&P and wanted a .22 for a training/practice gun. Jim

May 1, 2010, 07:36 PM	#15
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	And a great training gun it is,,, Shooting off a rest or with a shooting stick,,, I can hit clay pigeons 2-3 out of five shots at 50 yards. My Model 15 dates from 1966,,, It's well worn but not worn out at all,,, In fact it has the best trigger of all my S&W's. With the outrageous ammo costs these days,,, My .22 LR companion pieces are great guns to own. __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

May 1, 2010, 07:54 PM	#16
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Please don't take this wrong, but that gun should hit the clay birds every shot at 50 yards with decent ammo. Jim

May 1, 2010, 08:01 PM	#17
napg19 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 434	Will the 15 take today's 38+P ammo?

May 1, 2010, 08:07 PM	#18
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	I'm old Jim,,, Eyes ain't what they used to be,,,,, If a half-blind old fart like myself can hit the pigeons even half of the time,,, Think what a young eagle-eyed buck should be able to do with it. A 3.5" clay pigeon is still "minute of jack-rabbit",,, Come the revolution (or the next Red Dawn),,, I'll still be able to feed my sorry old butt. At least until that afore-mentioned eagle-eyed young buck,,, Shoots me for my ammo and oh-so-fine brace of guns,,, The brigand will probably get my Model 15 as well,,, Curse his eagle-eyes to Hades and back! __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

May 1, 2010, 09:37 PM	#19
Casimer Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2007 Location: Pennsylvania, USA Posts: 1,918	The rule of thumb for S&W's w/ +P is that it's OK for those w/ model numbers - i.e. if there's a model number, like 15, stamped on the yoke. IIRC these were implemented in 1957(?).

May 1, 2010, 10:32 PM	#20
aarondhgraham Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2009 Location: Stillwater, OKlahoma Posts: 8,638	One last thing,,, Before I call it a night,,, Don't forget about the S&W Model 67,,, It's the Stainless Steel version of the Model 15. It doesn't have the nostalgic presence of the Model 15,,, But I have seen them go for far lower prices than the Model 15. But it is essentially the exact same handgun,,, Gunbroker.com has eight of them listed for auction right now. G'Night everyone,,, __________________ Never ever give an enemy the advantage of a verbal threat. Caje: The coward dies a thousand times, the brave only once. Kirby: That's about all it takes, ain't it? Aarond is good,,, Aarond is wise,,, Always trust Aarond! (most of the time)

May 1, 2010, 10:35 PM	#21
napg19 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 434	Thanks, Richard.

May 1, 2010, 11:14 PM	#22
QUINTANASENA Junior Member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 2	MODEL 19-3 I carried one on the job in early 1970's and like a dummy eventually sold it for an auto. Finally found another one and it only cost me $350 and it is in excellent condition. Little blue off from the left side of the tip of the barrel from holster wear, but other wise in great shape. I am happy a as a lark now!!

May 2, 2010, 10:33 AM	#23
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 4,923	napg19, this should be similar to your old S&W, a 4 inch M15 K-38 Combat Masterpiece. The model 14 K-38 Target Masterpiece fits your hand very nice, like the M15 it defines accuracy.

May 2, 2010, 11:10 AM	#24
napg19 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 434	Cool Pic's. That's exactly it. the accuracy part, never was a good shot but there was a few times that 15 made me look good when out with the guys. Thanks.

May 2, 2010, 11:46 AM	#25
Oldjarhead Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 2008 Posts: 515	My experience with S&W Model 15 .38s The Smith and Wesson Model 15 Combat Masterpiece .38 special, was the standard issue to the USAF Security Police for years. It was finally replaced by the Beretta 9mm. It was a fine weapon. The SP's used the factory issue with the round small factory stocks. The sorry 130 grain FMJ NATO round in it was worthless. I think pilots carried a snub version of it, but I can't recall exactly. I came across many AF SPs in the service. Some of them may be members of this forum and can relate more to you. Good luck finding one.