What is the going price? - The Firearms Forum

Gunny45 · 08-10-2008, 01:36 PM

I just bought this S&W 15-3 .38 special from a friend as a favor and I don't think I want to keep it ~ my thing is .45 and .357 and .22.
Anyone know what I can sell it for if I decide to?
It has hardly any wear since it was his service gun when he was a LEO back in the 70's. And it is not fired very much and is very tight. No rust whatosever! Some wear on the front outside edges of the cylinder from his holster... One photo seems to show some scratches but they cannot be seen with the naked eye.

delta13soultaker · 08-10-2008, 03:07 PM

Just going from the pics, I'd say your 15-3 is in very good condition...so probably $250-$300. If a buyer gives your revolver an excellent, you may squeeze towards $400. Since it did LE duty, some history of the last owner could raise value to certain interested people who are into such things.

p.s. That's a good looking piece at any rate. If I had my hands on that I'd keep her.

doug66 · 08-10-2008, 05:21 PM

Nice looking Smith, Gunny. I'd think you wouldn't have any trouble getting $300 out of it.

Shellback · 08-10-2008, 06:25 PM

Good looking SW no problem getting 300-350 out of it..
Tim

Pistolenschutze · 08-11-2008, 09:16 AM

The Mod 15 was one of Smith's most functional and most accurate revolver designs, Gunny. Indeed, I have one with a 6" barrel. For target work with a .38 it doesn't get much better than a Mod 15. I would go along with what the rest have said on the fair market value, $300-$350.

USMC-03 · 08-11-2008, 09:57 AM

I agree with the $300 to $350 estimate and Pistol's praise of the model 15. I have one in 4" and a matching model 18 4" in .22 LR. That combination is hard to beat.

USMC-03 · 08-11-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pistolenschutze

The Mod 15 was one of Smith's most functional and most accurate revolver designs, Gunny. Indeed, I have one with a 6" barrel. For target work with a .38 it doesn't get much better than a Mod 15.

Pistol, if I'm not mistaken, isn't the 6" K-frame in .38 Special with adjustable sights the model 14? I know 4" K-frames in .22LR is the model 18 and anything with a longer barrel is the model 17.

Shellback · 08-11-2008, 11:29 AM

I'm not Pistol but the 15 is a K frame I am looking for a barel for my wifes right now and it is a 6" barrel, Id be happy with any barrel I could replace it with they are getting hard to find. Hers is split just in front of the cylinder I wanted to cry.. And there is more to changing one of these barrels besides just screwing one out and another in, there are certain toleraces that must be adhered to.. I'm still bummed
Tim

Pistolenschutze · 08-11-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMC-03

Pistol, if I'm not mistaken, isn't the 6" K-frame in .38 Special with adjustable sights the model 14? I know 4" K-frames in .22LR is the model 18 and anything with a longer barrel is the model 17.

Mine is definitely a Mod 15, specifically a 15-6 according to Smith's model number that is stamped on the frame. It does indeed have a 6" barrel and adjustable rear target sight as well. It could be that Smith has reorganized its model numbers since I bought the revolver some 20 years ago. They have been known to do that.

USMC-03 · 08-14-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pistolenschutze

They have been known to do that.

And sometimes without any ryme or reason.

My preferance in S&W revolvers has been they pre-number model K-frames and some N-frames. I'd really like to find an old K-32 but no doubt would have to hand over both an arm and leg... I'd also like to find a pair of matching model 25's in .45ACP; one 6" and one 3".

08-10-2008, 01:36 PM	#1
Gunny45 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 16	What is the going price? I just bought this S&W 15-3 .38 special from a friend as a favor and I don't think I want to keep it ~ my thing is .45 and .357 and .22. Anyone know what I can sell it for if I decide to? It has hardly any wear since it was his service gun when he was a LEO back in the 70's. And it is not fired very much and is very tight. No rust whatosever! Some wear on the front outside edges of the cylinder from his holster... One photo seems to show some scratches but they cannot be seen with the naked eye. -->

08-10-2008, 03:07 PM	#2
delta13soultaker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Depends on Uncle Sam's whim every 3 yrs. Posts: 2,948	Re: What is the going price? Just going from the pics, I'd say your 15-3 is in very good condition...so probably $250-$300. If a buyer gives your revolver an excellent, you may squeeze towards $400. Since it did LE duty, some history of the last owner could raise value to certain interested people who are into such things. p.s. That's a good looking piece at any rate. If I had my hands on that I'd keep her. __________________ Never say die! "A nation who forgets its defenders is soon forgotten itself." "A good shot must necessarily be a good man since the essence of good marksmanship is self-control and self-control is the essential quality of a good man." – Theodore Roosevelt Last edited by delta13soultaker; 08-10-2008 at 03:08 PM..

08-10-2008, 05:21 PM	#3
doug66 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 538	Re: What is the going price? Nice looking Smith, Gunny. I'd think you wouldn't have any trouble getting $300 out of it.

08-10-2008, 06:25 PM	#4
Shellback Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Broken Arrow Ok Posts: 950	Re: What is the going price? Good looking SW no problem getting 300-350 out of it.. Tim __________________ The Plumber Protects The Health of the Nation New World Order never, Sovreignty Forever

08-11-2008, 09:16 AM	#5
Pistolenschutze Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 13,094	Re: What is the going price? The Mod 15 was one of Smith's most functional and most accurate revolver designs, Gunny. Indeed, I have one with a 6" barrel. For target work with a .38 it doesn't get much better than a Mod 15. I would go along with what the rest have said on the fair market value, $300-$350. __________________ --Pistolenschutze (Pistol Shooter)

08-11-2008, 09:57 AM	#6
USMC-03 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of the Pacific Northwest Posts: 1,825	Re: What is the going price? I agree with the $300 to $350 estimate and Pistol's praise of the model 15. I have one in 4" and a matching model 18 4" in .22 LR. That combination is hard to beat. __________________ Let not the rifles of good and free men be reforged into plowshares, but may they rest in a place of honor; ready, well oiled and God willing unused. For if the price of peace becomes licking the boots of tyrants, then "To Arms!" I say, and may the fortunes of war smile upon patriots. - Fortes Fortuna Javat -

08-11-2008, 11:29 AM	#8
Shellback Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Broken Arrow Ok Posts: 950	Re: What is the going price? I'm not Pistol but the 15 is a K frame I am looking for a barel for my wifes right now and it is a 6" barrel, Id be happy with any barrel I could replace it with they are getting hard to find. Hers is split just in front of the cylinder I wanted to cry.. And there is more to changing one of these barrels besides just screwing one out and another in, there are certain toleraces that must be adhered to.. I'm still bummed Tim __________________ The Plumber Protects The Health of the Nation New World Order never, Sovreignty Forever