Smith & Wesson Model 15-3 .38 Special 2″ U.S. NAVY SEAL Contract Revolver

SOLD FOR: $8,913.00

LSB#: WY250405JW015

Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: 15-3 (Combat Masterpiece)

Serial Number: K855338

Year of Manufacture: Shipped April 23, 1969

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: Double Action / Single Action Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON.” The right side is marked “.38 S.&W. SPECIAL CTG.” The right sideplate is boldly marked “PROP. U.S. NAVY”, an exceedingly rare designation reserved for a special 1969 Navy contract. The Smith & Wesson logo is also present. The butt is marked with the serial number “K855338” and additionally stamped “247,” believed to be a Navy rack or issue number. Matching assembly numbers are present on the yoke and yoke cut.

Barrel Length: 2”

Sights / Optics:
This revolver features a serrated ramp front sight and a micro-click adjustable square-notch rear sight, uncommon and desirable on a 2” barrel revolver—correct for this specific military contract configuration.

Stock Configuration & Condition / Grip:
The grips are factory walnut Magna stocks with S&W medallions. They are tight-fitting and show light handling wear, with crisp checkering and excellent preservation.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. In this writer’s opinion, the bore rates 10/10.

Overall Condition: Approximately 95% of the original blue remains. Minor holster wear appears at the muzzle and cylinder edges, with scattered handling marks typical of a lightly issued service revolver. The rare Navy property marking is sharp and clear. Overall, this revolver rates in Fine+ condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly in both single and double action. The lock-up is solid, and the timing is proper. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories:
This revolver comes with a factory letter from Smith & Wesson historian Roy Jinks, confirming shipment on April 23, 1969, to the Naval Special Warfare Group, Pacific, located at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, California—home to U.S. Navy SEAL Teams.

Additional documentation includes:

• Copies of the original Smith & Wesson purchase orders related to this Navy contract
  
   
• Removed pages from the Smith & Wesson Collectors Association Journal, where this exact revolver is featured twice:
  
  
  • Spring 2011 issue, page 26
    
     
  • Spring 2017 issue, page 24
    
     

Provenance: This revolver comes from the esteemed collection of Kevin Williams, respected firearms historian and author of U.S. General Officer Pistols: A Collector’s Guide. Williams is known for curating exceptional military sidearms with elite provenance, and this Navy SEAL revolver is a standout piece within that body of work.

Our Assessment: This Smith & Wesson Model 15-3 is one of the rarest known U.S. Navy SEAL sidearms, confirmed by factory documentation, archival purchase orders, and dual publication in the S&WCA Journal. Shipped during the Vietnam era to the Navy’s elite Special Warfare Group in Coronado, this revolver was part of a small 1969 contract of only 80 Model 15s with 2” barrels—each marked “PROP. U.S. NAVY,” a distinction almost never seen on other Navy sidearms.

At a time when there were just two SEAL Teams in existence, this contract represented direct armament for one of America’s most elite fighting forces. The addition of the rack number “247” suggests in-the-field use and proper inventory control by the Navy. With its short barrel, adjustable rear sight, and combat-ready setup, this revolver was built for discreet carry and precision use.

This revolver is backed by bulletproof provenance—from the factory letter and purchase orders, to its appearance in collector journals and inclusion in the Kevin Williams collection. Few military handguns can boast this level of elite issue, documentation, and collector pedigree.

If you are looking for a true centerpiece in U.S. military firearm collecting, especially in the field of elite special operations arms, this is it. So bid high and bid firm. I highly encourage you to take a look at the condition of the item in our high-quality photos. Good luck with your bid. -K.F.