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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 10-29-2009, 03:28 AM
UCLALAW UCLALAW is offline
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Default Need help identifying a S&W pre model number .357

Hello
I recently inherited a S&W .357 magnum. It has no model # under the cylinder or anywhere else, just a "K" followed by a six digit serial number under the crane and at the back of the cylinder so I assume it's a pre 1958 model. It has an unrelated five digit number under the cylinder on the frame where newer Smiths have the model number. The serial # is 268 xxx.

It's a 4" barrel with a red ramp insert front sight, adjustable rear sight, shrouded ejector rod, recessed cylinder and is a square butt grip. The size is comparable to my 686 so I assume it's an L or K frame.

It looks like a model 27 but the front site is not the same.
The hammer spur is curved down like a model 25 or 29.

It has the fancy ampersand between the "S" and "W" and a serrated trigger.
It also has a screw on the bottom of the trigger guard. It has a deep glossy blued finish, similar to a Colt Python.

I've checked all over the internet and in the Blue Book but the only thing that came close was the Unregistered .357 model but I don't think that's what it is. I've never been unable to identify a firearm before so in a word...HELP! The curiosity is me killing me!

Thanks.

Last edited by UCLALAW; 12-24-2009 at 12:18 PM. Reason: Additional info.
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Old 10-29-2009, 05:03 AM
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What you have is a 'Combat Magnum'. The legal serial number will be found on the butt of the grip frame. If the gun has target grips - as most were furnished with, you'll have to remove them to see it. The letter 'K' is actually part of the serial number, and the K260,000 range is correct for the first of the Combat Magnums. This gun became known as the Model 19 when model numbers began being assigned.

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Old 10-29-2009, 08:21 AM
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The K prefix means it's a K frame revolver with adjustable sights. Has to be the Combat Magnum and it's a fairly early one.
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Old 10-29-2009, 10:43 AM
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Welcome to the forum UCLALAW (!)
A picture would be interesting.

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Old 10-29-2009, 12:49 PM
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Welcome to the forum!

Looks like around 1956 per my SCSW.

We love pics. Please post some.

Thanks.
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Old 10-30-2009, 12:36 AM
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Mystery solved. Thanks to all!
The Blue Book does not list a pre 19 Combat Magnum.

It needs a little cleaning and I'd like to replace the grips with the original ones. Anyone know which grips originally came on this? Or would any S&W K frame wood grip be ok? I'd like to keep it as factory original as possible.
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Old 10-30-2009, 08:33 AM
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These came with checkered walnut target style and the early ones have a diamond around the screw. Look like those pictured and will cost $100-$200 for a decent used set.


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Old 10-30-2009, 10:28 AM
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Thanks for your help.
Regarding the grips, some are scalloped/recessed near the thumb area like the ones you posted, and some are cutback in the same area, ie covers less of the frame at the top, usually only on one side like this. What can you tell me about these different styles, does it serve some purpose or is it just a style?

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Old 10-30-2009, 11:18 AM
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UCLALAW, the cut-out or scallop on the left grip is to facilitate the use of a speed-loader. The pair Saxon pictured are commonly called "football" grips due to the shape of the relieved area, the ones in your original photo are smooth unrelieved target grips and your last photo shows scalloped grips.
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Last edited by hsguy; 10-30-2009 at 11:24 AM.
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Old 11-12-2009, 01:21 AM
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I found some S&W target grips:

That's the picture they used but the actual grips I received are a much darker, non glossy pair very much like the ones SaxonPig posted. And.....they were advertised as circa 1970s K frame grips but they are actually N frame grips. They overlapped the top, rear part of the pre 19 Combat Magnum by about 1/16 of an inch, and the rear of the trigger guard and back strap didn't fit very well.

No problem though, I put them on my model 28, the matte/non glossy darker finish looks very good on an unpolished, older blue frame. Now I have a spare set of original, glossy small S&W grips...what do they call those small grips anyway?
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Old 11-12-2009, 07:31 AM
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"Now I have a spare set of original, glossy small S&W grips...what do they call those small grips anyway?"

Magna grips or stocks.
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Old 07-23-2017, 10:18 PM
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New to the group, have a chance to pick up a Pre-27 357 and need help confirming it is the real deal and dating it. It has a 3.5 inch barrel with serial number of S 1019xx. As soon as I figure out how to post pics I will. The grips are something I have not seen before. It has a jeweled wide trigger and hammer. The front bottom of the frame for the grip is at an angle as if it was cut but looks factory.
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Old 07-23-2017, 10:20 PM
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Now I need a little help on how to post pics.
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Old 07-24-2017, 12:39 AM
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FFurtaw - Welcome to the Smith & Wesson Forum. This thread is over 7 years old, you may get more replies if you start a new thread/topic. Can't help much with dating your pre-model 27, but you should be able to upload pics by clicking on the icon that looks like a paper clip in the "reply" window.
Lots of knowledgeable folks here.
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Old 07-24-2017, 07:42 AM
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If the front of the grip frame is cut at a 45 degree angle, it was probably cut to facilitate the use of "Fuzzy Farant" style stocks (grips)..
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Old 07-24-2017, 11:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FFurtaw View Post
New to the group, have a chance to pick up a Pre-27 357 and need help confirming it is the real deal and dating it. It has a 3.5 inch barrel with serial number of S 1019xx. As soon as I figure out how to post pics I will. The grips are something I have not seen before. It has a jeweled wide trigger and hammer. The front bottom of the frame for the grip is at an angle as if it was cut but looks factory.
Someone has modified the hammer and trigger and cut the grip frame for a custom pair of grips. In a way, that is unfortunate as your revolver is no longer original. S1019xx indicates late 1953-early 1954 production. On my SN list is S1035xx which shipped in 4/54.

It is best to start a new thread rather than to tag onto an ancient one.

Last edited by DWalt; 07-24-2017 at 12:17 PM.
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357 magnum, 686, colt, ejector, k frame, model 19, model 25, model 27, model 28, recessed, rrwo, s&w, scsw, serrated, walnut

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