I inherited a S&W Mdl 15-2. It of course has a pinned barrel but not a recessed cylinder. The pistol looks to have been Hard chromed or a similar finish. and has a "2059" number electro penciled on the bottom of the grip frame. I figure this is probably surplus law enforcement pistol.

The best I can gleam from google searches is that only Magnum caliber revolvers had the recessed cylinder feature and not the 38 special models.


Could some more knowledgeable on Smith revolvers confirm this please.

Correct

Yes, only Magnums had the recessed chambers.

Well rimfires too.

As it turns out, while its nice, it actually has some drawbacks; especially back in the day when LE's carried revolvers. Colt always promoted the lack of a recessed cylinder as a "feature", and its not as crazy as it sounds. With a non recessed cylinder, you can easily visually check to see if a revolver is loaded, and you can even feel it in the dark. Not a big deal, but big enough that S&W decided to eventually do away with the recessed chambers on their best selling LE .357.

Non cops thought it was very nice though, and it looks great.

While it will not please Boomers non-recessed chambers with ability to use moon clips should be preferred in modern revolver for easer, quicker reloading. I would leave that vintage, like new, boxed stuff for the boomers and buy more modern revolvers in used condition to save money and ability to carry/use firearm without terrible fear of decreasing condition, therefore, value of the gun.

Here is a good one that from pictures appears to be fairly priced (prospective buyer needs to ask correct questions):

The gun does have some weight and l...is probably not good choice for you.....

Yes. True.

I prefer non-recessed, myself. Easier to clean. Also, less likely to get crud in there that might prevent the cartridge seating all the way in.

slave k: For you to infer that a gun enthusiast (no matter of which generation!) can not have and enjoy both collector quality, rarer, more valuable revolvers and also more utilitarian revolvers (less valuable) is myopic to the point of idiotic!
Sheesh - you need to get out and around more - a LOT more!
Perhaps, for you, wisdom will come with age - at least I hope so, for your own good.

Others: I was ISSUED a Smith & Wesson Model 66-1 early on in my 29 year law enforcement career and several times I qualified "Distinguished Expert" with it on our departments timed and somewhat difficult (firing to 50 yards and timed stages) quarterly, then later semi-annual, mandatory qualifications!
I reloaded that recessed Model 66 with speed loaders countless times and never once had a notable hang-up!
THEN.... after every qualification and countless times in between I thoroughly cleaned that recessed Smith & Wesson Model 66 with no notable impediments.
Never once did I have ANY trouble ascertaining whether or not my recessed Smith & Wesson Model 66 was loaded (or not!).
I simply contend that some on this forum simply "know not of what they speak"!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Don't hold back. Tell us what you really think.

Sorry Grandpops, I also enjoy shiny, blued vintage revolvers. I do not mind extra screws and more hand-fitting allowed by lower wages years ago.

Bitch ass sockpuppet.

Love it.

Lol. 😆

He's a stupid commie suckass.

Or better yet, just skip the revolver and use a modern weapon.

I don't really have a preference one way or the other. My revolvers are for sport, not defense so such issues really aren't worthy of thinking about for me. When I buy a revolver, I buy it for the whole package, and I generally don't much care about whether the cylinder is recessed or not. But I do like that cleaning is easier with the non recessed, that's always welcome.