Smith & Wesson Model 15-3 Combat Masterpiece .38 Special, 4 Inch, Blued, 1970 K-Frame DA/SA Revolver
This 1970 Smith & Wesson Model 15-3 Combat Masterpiece is a K-frame .38 Special with a 4-inch tapered, pinned barrel and adjustable sights. Built on blued carbon steel with classic checkered walnut Magna stocks, it represents the 15-3 engineering change era and the long-standing law-enforcement pedigree of the Model 15, including USAF Security Forces service history.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair condition, showing extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There is notable finish loss with scattered surface oxidation. The metal shows scratches and handling wear throughout.
What’s Included
- Smith & Wesson Model 15-3 Combat Masterpiece revolver
The Model 15-3 is a .38 Special K-frame revolver featuring a 4-inch tapered, pinned barrel with a finely serrated top rib and serrated topstrap. The blued carbon-steel frame and barrel pair with a six-shot swing-out cylinder for a classic service configuration.
Sight regulation is handled by an integral ramp front sight with a serrated face and an S&W micrometer-click adjustable rear sight. The action is double-action/single-action with a narrow, smooth-face trigger and a checkered spur hammer for confident manipulation.
This example uses a square-butt frame and retains checkered walnut Magna stocks (non-diamond) with S&W medallions; these are consistent with factory-correct stocks for this 1970-dated revolver. The cylinder carries an unshrouded, knurled ejector rod tip, consistent with period production details.
As a Combat Masterpiece, the Model 15 saw wide adoption by U.S. law enforcement and served as the standard USAF Security Forces sidearm from 1962 to 1992. The 15-3 engineering change period is noted for the rear sight screw relocation. Factory rollmarks include MADE IN U.S.A., MARCAS REGISTRADAS, and the Smith & Wesson Springfield, Mass. address, with serial markings located on the butt and yoke cut.