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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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  #1  
Old 03-28-2020, 06:38 PM
sbrmike sbrmike is offline
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Default A friend's pre mod 27

A friend gave me a call a little while ago (today). He just picked up a pre mod 27. Here are the details he told me:
1. Serial S 136xxx
2. Nickle plated with case color hammer and trigger
3. No Serial number in ejector rod groove or face of cylinder
4. Non matching serial number on ejector star (close but no cigar)
5. 8-3/8" barrel
6. B on frame under grip and another letter (not N) no date code

I don't have pics. Does this sound like a put together / repaired gun? Or is this common on nickle guns. I assume the B meant blued originally but don't know if that applies to pre 27's or not as mine doesn't have one and it is a Blued gun.
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Old 03-28-2020, 07:23 PM
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Most likely repaired and nickel plated,but not by S&W
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Old 03-28-2020, 07:58 PM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
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Well that's an interesting puzzle.

1. The serial # indicates likely manufacture/shipping end of '55 or early '56 ear. Is it a 4 or 5 screw version?

2. We need to know which side of the grip frame the B is stamped to know if it pertains to a blue finish or not.

3. CCH hammer and trigger indicate proper factory protocol but a certainty that it wasn't refinished.

4. the missing serial # on barrel or cyl indicates possible later manufacturer than the gun ~1958 or later. The non-matching # on extractor star is a possible indication of a changed part or cyl. However, being very close to the gun's serial number could indicate a mix up during final assembly at the factory; depend on which digits are off.

5. 8 3/8" barrel may also indicate a barrel change but hardly conclusive.

6. Again which side is the B? Could indicate a blue gun originally. In the '50s because an N for nickel finish is more common.

7. We need to know if there any diamonds on barrel, cyl and/or left side of grip frame. And if there's a star following the s/n on the butt or rework factory date on left side of grip frame. Also does the frame top strap checkered like all 357 magnum N frames?

A letter with a shipping date is important additional information they may help solve the puzzle at this point in addition to answers to the B and extractor # and questions in #7 above.

Depending on the answers:

A. This could be a blue gun nickeled after the factory and a put together gun.

B. This could have been a factory barrel change before the gun was shipped new.

C. At this point the info could support a completely factory gun shipped later than it's serial # may indicate. For one thing the long barrels were not as common and didn't sell as quick as other lengths.

Or some combination of the three! Need more info.
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Old 03-28-2020, 09:18 PM
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I will call him tomorrow. The B is on the left side of the frame (under the left grip).
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Old 03-28-2020, 09:32 PM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
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Well unfortunately that's a clue to scenario A. in my post above.

B for blue or 'N' for nickel stamp locations and no B or N stamp for nickel (only applies to commercial guns):
ahead of pre war serial #s on the barrel flat (or in shroud),
rear face of yoke looking thru a chamber with cyl swung open,
on rear face of cyl separated from serial #,
behind the extractor star,
and by itself on right side grip frame (only on left side grip frame on post WWII models*), indicates an original Blue finish or an original Nickel finish based upon the corresponding letter.

However, the absence of either the 'B' or 'N' (more prevalent after 1930) also indicates leaving the factory nickeled.

*The post war 1950s period was one of much evolution. There was the usual transition when finish code letter stamp usage changed. Towards the end of the 1950’s we start to see nickeled guns stamped with an N on rear of cyl, under the extractor, and on the heel of left side of grip frame.
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Old 03-28-2020, 09:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sbrmike View Post
Does this sound like a put together / repaired gun?
It ain't sounding good. My bet would be a gun with much tinkering.
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Old 03-29-2020, 02:07 PM
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OK here is the answers.
1. 5 screw
2. Butt Serial is S 13848 (S is very sharp, 138 distinct, 48 faint, room for the 5).
3. Ejector Star Serial is S 138485
4. Left frame lower left corner E then B
5. Right frame Q then an L 3 and sideways double struck 0
6. Properly checkered top strap grooved front and rear straps
7. Smooth target grips with S&W medallions, 848 in pencil
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Old 03-29-2020, 02:17 PM
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I think all that's going on is the gun was refinished in nickel and the serial on the butt was partially polished off. That's bad and needs to be addressed. I would stamp over missing five to make visible or stamp entire number on side of grip frame so it is complete and present on frame.
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Old 03-29-2020, 06:30 PM
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I agree with Art Doc, got to get that 5 stamped back on the butt.

Could be original except for the nickel finish. If it was a late shipper into the 1957-58 period when the s/n was no longer stamped on barrel and cyl.

The penciled # on grip is owner applied; target grips hardly ever have the serial # and if they did, it would be stamped on right grip only, and the full #.
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Old 03-29-2020, 06:46 PM
sbrmike sbrmike is offline
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I almost hate to post this, but he only paid $100.00 for it.
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Old 03-29-2020, 07:44 PM
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^^^ I hate this, too . Probably a very nice shooter at fire sale price.
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