Tommy Shimoda Smith & Wesson S&W 15-2 Smolt Smython .38 Spl 4″ Revolver
SOLD FOR: $3025
LSB#: 210908RP01
Make: Smith & Wesson Frame with Colt Barrel. The revolver was customized by Tommy Shimoda.
Model: Custom Model 15-2 with Colt Python barrel, referred to as “Smolt” or “Smython”
Serial Number: K670951
Year of Manufacture: 1966. The revolver was customized in 1979.
Caliber: .38 Special
Action Type: 6-Shot, Double Action / Single Action, Fluted Swing-Out Cylinder Hand Ejector Revolver.
Markings: The right of the frame is marked with the four line Marcas Registradas address and the sideplate has the S&W monogram logo. The crane cut is marked “K670951 / MOD. / 15-2”, the butt is marked with the serial number. The crane and the sides of the grip frame have inspection marks.
Barrel Length: 4″, Vent-Rib
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade double-pinned to a rise in the barrel’s ventilated rib. The rear sight is a flat top, square notched, leaf in a base that is micrometer-click adjustable for windage and elevation, slotted, and screw-secured onto the top of the frame. The top of the rib and rear sight are serrated and matte finished for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The grip is a one-piece wood Hogue Monogrip with a single finger groove and palm swells. There are light handling marks, no major defects. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grip is in about Excellent condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Refinished, Original to Custom Build.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 93% of its metal finish. There is finish loss on the front edges of the barrel and underlug. There are some little spots of thinning scattered over the barrel with a line of finish loss on the right side running rearwards from the muzzle. There is thinning on some of the edges, most noticeable on the trigger guard and bottom edges of the frame. The matte topstrap has some faint thinning. There are a few little marks through the finish on the cylinder and on the back of the frame above the backstrap. There are a few light marks on the cylinder including some faint hairline scratches. There are a few little marks on the trigger guard. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this handgun rates in about Fine condition as customized.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The single-action trigger is crisp and the double action is smooth. Cylinder lockup is good on all chambers with light side-to-side play. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A written letter from our consignor with information on the revolver is included.
Our Assessment: Why settle for just a Smith & Wesson or just a Colt when you could have the best of both worlds? That was the question on some shooters’ minds in the 60s and 70s. For several years between the introduction of the Python and the Smith & Wesson 586/686, this mixture made sense, especially in the stiff competition of PPC matches. The Colt barrels were perceived as more accurate and had a full lug to help tame recoil, but the Smith actions were easier to work on and required less hand-fitting of parts. The obvious answer? Take the barrel off a Python and mount it on a Smith! Thus was born the Smython, or Smolt as it is also known. This was a procedure that took no small amount of skill to accomplish due to the different threads of the Colt barrels and Smith frames, but when done properly, they were considered the cat’s-meow for competitive revolver shooting. In the 1970s Tommy Shimoda was a master gunsmith and the armorer for the Honolulu Police Department. He build this Smolt and removed all the Colt markings from the barrel. He then reblued the entire revolver so that the hue of the finish would match and also re-matted the topstrap and barrel rib. He also installed a smooth target trigger and target hammer and did an action job. This example has mounted an 4″ Python barrel to a Smith & Wesson Model 15 and was masterfully done and in Fine condition. This would make a great addition to any revolver collection and would likely still serve as a wonderful hunting or competition revolver today. Please see our photos and good luck!