That's a S&W Model 15-3, which, before they went to model numbers, was dubbed "the Combat Masterpiece".
The grips are not original and there are screwholes in the bottom for what was possibly an agency or company inventory tag. The bluing was probably touched up along the barrel. So it's not a collector's piece.
But it is in fine mechanical condition. The timing is very good, everything aligns as it should and there is no appreciable endshake. The bore is bright and everything under the sideplate looks as it should.
Cost? Let's just say that I've seen rattier Model 10s sell for more. I bought it via an online auction, so there were additional transfer charges (the banners ignore that the transactions have to go through FFLs and the backgroun checks get done). People who normally surf that section had to have been asleep at the switch, for I expected it to go for more than I was willing to bid.
But it didn't.
Range report when I'm up to it. Which isn't now. This bug is hanging on.
Very nice but need. Can never go wrong with the classics.
ReplyDeleteI like old revolving guns but they get filthy quicker and shed their more numerous small parts quicker too.
ReplyDeleteI carried a worn out black market 1911A1 on fire bases in Vietnam-it was in turn stolen from me. We'd pop off mag after mag at Vietnamese rabbits panicked in the razor wire like carny targets back and forth. None were ever harmed. But I suppose it raised my morale.