serial # is 278173. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

bc, there should be a letter prefix along with the number. That and a general description will help pin it down.
tcc

Welcome to the Forum.
If there are no letters in front of that it is an older Military and Police revolver. The standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson give a wide range. #241,704 starts in 1915 and goes to # 700,000 in 1942.
Hope this is helpful.
Jim

Welcome to the forum.

It's possible there's no letter prefix to your serial number, but what exactly you have is just too hard to say with so little descriptive info - posting a photo would really help us out here.

__________________
SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

Provided it's not a top break .38 DA, or a J-frame. Really could be anything based on what little has been given so far.

__________________
SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

+1 to what Goony and P&R said.
tcc

Good point.
Jim

Welcome to the Forum.

We need a few more details, please.

Is this serial number taken from the butt of the revolver? How many cartridges does it hold, five or six? Do you open the revolver by swinging the cylinder out to the side or does it break open from the top?

Please post all markings on this gun and measure the barrel, from the front of the cylinder forward. Some foreign built guns have markings that kinda indicate that they are real S&Ws, but they ain't.

Pictures would be a GREAT help.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

I have a car... when was it made and what's it worth?

__________________
No life story has happy end.

Be nice SP. We weren't born with all of the knowledge of S&W lore that we now have, were we?

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!