« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Calling all S&W revolver experts (real or imagined..)  (Read 1031 times)

Brad Johnson

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 18,143
  • Witty, charming, handsome, and completely insane.
Calling all S&W revolver experts (real or imagined..)
« on: April 17, 2006, 07:43:42 AM »
I posted this over at The High Road, but figured I'd put it here and see if I could catch folks who didn't read the revolver forum. -Brad
_______________________________


My father picked up a Smith revo at an auction a couple weeks ago. Since I know just enough about Smiths to semi-reliably call it a handgun, I need some help and opinions.

I think it's a model 57. That's help topic number one. What is it really?

It's chambered in 44 Special. Says so right there on the barrel. Barrel length is appx 6" (my approximation - didn't measure).

Also, the serial number is 1452xx. Is that low? High?

The bluing on the cylinder and barrel has "purpled" some. You can see that in one of the pics.

It's a blued, fully engraved gun (the seller was a high-end collector with some pretty serious hardware). It's pretty, but very, very impractical. Dad has no idea what the gun is worth, he just thought it was nice. I won't say what he paid for it because I want some unbiased input on what the collectable value, if any, should be.









Report to moderator   Logged
It's all about the pancakes, people.
"And he thought cops wouldn't chase... a STOLEN DONUT TRUCK???? That would be like Willie Nelson ignoring a pickup full of weed."
-HankB

K Frame

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 44,761
  • I Am Inimical
Calling all S&W revolver experts (real or imagined..)
« Reply #1 on: April 17, 2006, 08:32:57 AM »
It's not a Model 57, a Model 57 is an N-frame chambered for .41 Magnum.

The .44 Special would make it a Model 24 of some type.

Opening the cylinder and looking in the crane cut should give an indication as to the Model number and engineering change, if any.

I'm not 100% certain, but I don't think that's S&W engraving. A bit too crude.
Report to moderator   Logged
Carbon Monoxide, sucking the life out of idiots, 'tards, and fools since man tamed fire.

Mabs2

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 4,979
  • セクシー
    • iCarly
Calling all S&W revolver experts (real or imagined..)
« Reply #2 on: April 17, 2006, 08:47:07 AM »
It's awfully fancy. =o
Report to moderator   Logged
Quote from: jamisjockey
Sunday it felt a little better, but it was quite irritated from me rubbing it.
Quote from: Mike Irwin
If you watch any of the really early episodes of the Porter Waggoner show she was in (1967) it's very clear that he was well endowed.
Quote from: Ben
Just wanted to give a forum thumbs up to Dick.

Brad Johnson

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 18,143
  • Witty, charming, handsome, and completely insane.
Calling all S&W revolver experts (real or imagined..)
« Reply #3 on: April 17, 2006, 09:37:50 AM »
Quote from: Mike Irwin
Opening the cylinder and looking in the crane cut should give an indication as to the Model number and engineering change, if any.
Wish granted...







Report to moderator   Logged
It's all about the pancakes, people.
"And he thought cops wouldn't chase... a STOLEN DONUT TRUCK???? That would be like Willie Nelson ignoring a pickup full of weed."
-HankB

K Frame

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 44,761
  • I Am Inimical
Calling all S&W revolver experts (real or imagined..)
« Reply #4 on: April 17, 2006, 09:47:15 AM »
AH!

OK, we don't have a Model 24, we have a pre-Model 24! And duh, look at that, the upper sideplate screw!

Is there a screw on the underside of the gun right in front of the trigger guard?

If so, it's a 5-screw, pre-1957 manufacture, and should have an "S" prefix on the serial number...

Then again, what shape is the front sight? Half moon or ramp?


The more I look at this engraving, the more certain I am that it is NOT S&W engraving.
Report to moderator   Logged
Carbon Monoxide, sucking the life out of idiots, 'tards, and fools since man tamed fire.

Brad Johnson

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 18,143
  • Witty, charming, handsome, and completely insane.
Calling all S&W revolver experts (real or imagined..)
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2006, 09:59:57 AM »
Mike, I added a shot of the S/N to an above post. Here's another profile shot from the other side....



Report to moderator   Logged
It's all about the pancakes, people.
"And he thought cops wouldn't chase... a STOLEN DONUT TRUCK???? That would be like Willie Nelson ignoring a pickup full of weed."
-HankB

K Frame

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 44,761
  • I Am Inimical
Calling all S&W revolver experts (real or imagined..)
« Reply #6 on: April 17, 2006, 10:43:09 AM »
OK, my guess, without looking at my serial number listings, is that it's going to date to between 1952-1955.
Report to moderator   Logged
Carbon Monoxide, sucking the life out of idiots, 'tards, and fools since man tamed fire.

Brad Johnson

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 18,143
  • Witty, charming, handsome, and completely insane.
Calling all S&W revolver experts (real or imagined..)
« Reply #7 on: April 17, 2006, 10:52:57 AM »
I just popped a letter in the mail to the Smith & Wesson historian (plus a check for $30). Supposedly they will send me a letter detailing dates, configuration, any custom shop work, and shipped-to info.

Don't know how long it will take, but can't hurt and just might prove interesting.

Brad
Report to moderator   Logged
It's all about the pancakes, people.
"And he thought cops wouldn't chase... a STOLEN DONUT TRUCK???? That would be like Willie Nelson ignoring a pickup full of weed."
-HankB

K Frame

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 44,761
  • I Am Inimical
Calling all S&W revolver experts (real or imagined..)
« Reply #8 on: April 17, 2006, 03:34:16 PM »
HA! Looks like I was right.

Supica and Nahaus show a date range of 1955-1956 for this particular serial number (as long as there are 6 digits, and not 5, after the S.

Given the number of guns produced in those two years, I'd say first half 1955.
Report to moderator   Logged
Carbon Monoxide, sucking the life out of idiots, 'tards, and fools since man tamed fire.
Pages: [1]
« previous next »