Hi all,

I'm new to the forum.

I inherited a .357 revolver from my grandfather. He carried it as sheriff of Boise County ID for a few years. I'm trying to identify the model information.

After reading the sticky advise before posting here's what I know about the revolver:

1. Hand ejector
2. SN: S107582
3. Caliber: .357 Magnum
4. Barrel length: 6"
5. Sights: Adjustable

Any help you can provide in identifying the model would be greatly appreciated.

Mike E.

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People here would call your revolver a pre-27

Yes, probably a 4 screw , pre 27 N frame from aprox. 1955? you are very fortunate to inherit such a fine piece of family history....the experts will chime in shortly...I'm a newbie......Very Nice!

When it was purchased, S&W called it the "357 Magnum". It became the Model 27 back about 1957.

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Eccentric old coot

The closest SN on my list to your S107582 is S1063xx which shipped in 5/54. S&W would have called it the ".357 Magnum", but in the late 1950s it became the Model 27. Some collectors might call yours a pre-Model 27 but of course S&W never did. It shows some use but is nonetheless desirable. It is made on what S&W called the "N" frame. The first .357 S&W revolvers of this type appeared in the late 1930s. You might be aware that .38 Special ammunition of any kind can also be used, and for most purposes, using .38 Special is recommended.

Welcome! It is a “.357 Magnum”, likely from 1954. It is a 5-screw frame as normal for that age. Many would call a “pre-27” a non-model stamped 4-screw (no upper sideplate screw), as a stamped model 27 would look exactly the same. Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks to all who responded so quickly. I'm trying to catalog all my various firearms and I was struggling with this one.

Mike

I bet that revolver could tell a tale! We’d love to hear the history behind it.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

Welcome to the forum, that's a very nice piece and I have to agree that judging by the honest wear probably led a very interesting life in the hands of your relative.

I bet that 6 inch barrel thumped a few skulls back in the day!

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Possum—The other white meat!

Very nice gun to have inherited. Honest wear on it but all original S&W'S from the early 50's are very desirable by the collectors. Some may say that time era was the pinnacle while others may argue the 30's were made at the pinnacle of both art and function. Either way I am sure the op would feel the gun is priceless due to the fond memories. As stated earlier shooting the gun with some 38 spcl cartridges will not wear the gun at all so feel free to let family members enjoy the gun as the loved one once did. Thanks for showing it to us.

That is a really nice revolver that speaks to your Grandfathers service. Thanks for posting! Earl

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Earl Battey

Nice inheritance! We should all be so lucky.
FWIW, you can also shoot as much hot 357 ammo through that N-frame as you can stand and can afford. You won't hurt it. No need to restrict yourself to 38 special, unless it is just to minimize recoil and cost. Not that the recoil of even the hottest 357 magnum is that big of a deal in one of these big, stout, old, all-steel, N-frames.

Semper Fi, Marine. You have a really nice revolver with family history. I would consider gathering as much documentation about your grandfather and I would invest in a letter.

Very nice .357 with family ties!
Welcome to the forum from Pennsylvania!

The buddy that got me first interested in .357 magnums and magnums in general had an old "Highway Patrolman" that was his constant companion, he would have worn it to work if he could have pulled it off. He had a thing for really hot loads and went to maximum charges every time. I remember looking at the top strap above the forcing cone and noticing how deep the flame cuts were on his revolver, first time I ever saw flame cuts on a firearm and never have seen any as bad as his since. If that was any indication of how tough a Smith and Wesson revolver was it certainly made an impression on me. I had to have a .357 after shooting his and ended up with a Colt Trooper, I broke that thing inside of six months...never bought another Colt revolver since. I've never managed to break a S&W, I've had work done to them but never had one actually break so that it would not function. I always figured that one of the main attributes of a big Smith was the fact that you could use it as a club without fear of bending the extractor rod.

How did you break that Colt? Must have taken some doing. They go out of time sooner than Rugers or S&W's, but BREAK one?!

BTW, hitting someone with a handgun isn't a good idea, as you can indeed bend parts. Col. Applegate recommended slapping sidewise with the pistol, as the thin receiver on a Colt Govt. Model .45 can be damaged by a downward blow.

Use your baton or flashlight to hit, or read Bill Jordan in, No Second Place Winner. He was of the opinion that if things warrant clubbing someone with a gun, you can usually justify shooting them, instead.

But I think Col. Askins hit men with pistols and chose the Colt New Service .38 for the USBP because it made a better club than the lighter Official Police.

Today, a Taser is usually preferred to a bludgeon of any sort.

Actually those who work at it CAN damage an N-frame .357. Cylinder endshake and timing problems are likely if overused, and barrel throats/forcing cones can show abuse.

I've even seen photos of Ruger GP-100's that looked atrocious. One barrel throat showed the effects of thousands of very hot 125 grain handloads. It looked like an ashtray that was pretty full. The cliche comment on the Net about Rugers being built like tanks is silly. One can destroy even an Abrams tank, or the Russian equivalent. One strafing run from an A-10 will do that nicely.

Treat your guns kindly, and use Magnum loads only for occasional practice and when you need the added killing power on targets that warrant it.

Bill Jordan told me that he envisioned the Combat Magnum as being fired just 10-15% of the time with full loads. Granted, it's a smaller gun, but even Models 27 and 28 last longer if not pounded unnecessarily with full.357 ammo.

You probably don't need .357's for fox or jackrabbits. From coyotes on up, yes. For some men, yes. For shooting into cars, yes. But most small game animals are just ruined meat if shot with a Magnum. That's where the .357's ability to use .38's shines.

It's a 5 screw, look at the pic of the right side. Probably closer t0 1953/54.

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SWCA1517 SWHF256
Rangers LTW!

I have a 107929, which shipped on April 15, 1954.

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I have a 5" Pre-27 as well. Hands down, it is the best 357 magnum revolver I've ever owned. (The one in the foreground below)

Welcome to the club, take care of that old beauty.

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