I just bought a very nice 6" Model 57, s/n s237XXX, which according to the info on one of the FAQ pages indicates that it was manufactured in late'64 early '65. Now according to the only S&W history that I have - an early edition of Jinks book - the first Model 57 was s/n s256481, which is obviously incorrect. My question is, does anyone have any more accurate information on when the first M-57 was made, and the approximate serial number.

Thanks and best regards,

From the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson,3rd edition,it says the first serial number for the model 57 was S236941.So you have a pretty early built gun.Hope that helps...

Thanks, that's exactly the information that I was looking for; the s/n on mine is only about 500 higher.

Other than the early production date, there is nothing unusual about this gun; does anyone think that this fact justifies a factory letter? Would the factory be able to determine how many 57s were built before mine? It would be kind of fun to know if it was the 10th, or 50th, or 100th Model 57 produced.

Best regards,

Many of the Model 57s in the S237000 range were shipped in the first couple of months of production, but only a check of factory records (i. e. a letter) will tell for sure. If the 57 were mine, I would letter it because it is most likely an early one. However, S&W manufactured and shipped guns without regard for serial numbers so it is possible a 57 with a higher number than yours was made and shipped earlier.

Bill

Thanks, looks like I'll be sending a letter request off to S&W.

Best regards,

I have S&W M57 S2387xx...S&W Letter says it shipped in April of 1967...!!!! Its maybe 1,000 #'s behind the start of S237000....
Pete

I'm a little confused; I can understand how S&W could ship guns out of sequence, but how could they manufacture a gun out of sequence? Are frames serial numbered independent of model designation, deposited in a collective pool, then pulled randomly when assembling a gun; or are model designations determined at the time of frame manufacture; or are serial numbers and model designations made upon completion of assembly? Or possibly something else?

Best regards,

When a frame (in this case an N, or large frame) is finished it is given a serial number. That frame can be used to manufacture any number of models (27, 29, 57, etc.). Frames are pooled and pulled randomly by production and that is why serial numbers are only general indicators of when a gun was made and shipped. For example, 44 Magnum, S130705, was shipped on July 26, 1956, whereas, 44 Magnum, S166065, was shipped on April 2, 1956. 44 Magnum with serial number S130802 was shipped in January 1957, and so on. Since the 44 Magnum was very popular the first year and S&W was backordered on this model, it is likely these guns were shipped within a few days of being completed.

This practice also results in guns with consecutive serial numbers being different models. For example, N24999 is a Model 29-2, and N25000 is a Model 25-2.

Bill

Thanks Bill,

I thought that that was the most likely scenario. So in a "letter" does S&W provide the assembly date or just the shipping date and purchaser?

Best regards,

My letters say "shipping date" and where it was shipped to not necessarily the purchaser.

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Revolver luvin' Mountaineer

The letter will tell you the date your 57 was shipped and where it was shipped (most likely to a distributor or sporting goods store, but possibly to an individual). S&W (at this time) only kept track of guns in their daily manufacturing log by the internal manufacturing designation and not by serial number, barrel length or finish. The Model 57 was kept track of as the NT-410 (N frame, Target, with a bore of .410 inch). If your revolver was completed on April 8, 1964 (hypothetically) and was one of thirty guns completed that day, the log would show 30 NT-410s completed on that day and nothing more.

However, the early literature for the Model 57 indicates shipments would begin in April 1964, so if your gun was shipped in April-June of that year, it is certainly one of the early ones.

Bill

Thanks for the information!

Letter request sent.

I've had lots of nice Smiths over the years, but this is the first that I thought might have enough interest to justify a letter. Now I wait and see. I'll post an image once it's out of its 10 day quarantine.

Best regards,

I picked-up my Model 57 yesterday afternoon after its 10 day quarantine, and took it home for a really close examination. Sometimes it seems, at least for me, that no matter how careful you think you exam the piece in the shop, it’s only when you get it home that you really see the true condition of what you bought and start to notice any warts. Will, what I thought I bought was a really clean early Model 57, but it turns out that what I actually bought was a virtually un-fired, 100% 57. There’s not a scratch or blemish on it and only the very faintest turn line; it looks as good, or better, than any new Smith that I’ve seen in years.

Now here’s my dilemma. I’m both excited by my find, and a little disappointed; I bought this gun as a shooter, not as a safe queen. But there’s just no way that I can bring myself to shoot this one. I’ve never had a gun that I wouldn’t shoot; even if it was 98%+ I’d shoot it, but not a new condition 46 year old piece. Unfortunately with my other interests (Alfa Romeos) the budget won’t support another purchase for a while. And it’s unlikely that I’ll find another decent 57 at a price that I can justify. Oh well, if nothing else, it’s certainly a joy to handle a gun of this quality and condition, and of course, the value will only increase.

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You did get a dandy, that's for sure.

Don't ever be disappointed with a super nice find. I am sure you could find someone in this group that would buy it from you, allowing you to buy a shooter and have some extra $ for ammo.

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Even though I won't ever be shooting this one, it's not going anywhere; it's found a permanent home in my modest collection. I've sold or traded away too many nice guns over the years that I've regretted, this one won't be one of them. Now I just have to decide between the high lift cams for the current Alfa project, or keep poking around for another 57.

Best regrads,
Monsai52

IMHO: if the piece has value enough to seriously change Your financial structure, You may want to store it away and worship the gun.

Otherwise, I'd fire the gun, though carefully, and enjoy it, because that is why the gun was built in the first place.

Look at this way: if You fell silent tomorrow, someone else will be enjoying Your handguns....might as well be fired by You, first. ;>)

I don't know if you're aware, but your gun also has CBGs, Coke Bottle Grips. These are valuable by themselves. I knew your gun had to have them before I saw the pics due to the SN and production year. Only N frame guns had CBGs. What a gun you have there.

Coke Grip info needed

Yes, when I first saw it with the Cokes I knew it was an early production, I just didn't know how early until I checked in with the forum. As noted in an earlier post, I've sent my request for a letter, I'll post the results when it arrives.

Best regards,

While we're on the subject of newly acquired, early 57s I'd like to introduce mine with a an S/N of only five digits N23327. Any idea of why the "N" instead of the "S"? "N" for N frame? Any idea of the date of birth would be appreciated. mahalo

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Kaumheimer, S&W changed the prefix from S to N for their N-frame revolvers as a result of the Gun Control Act passed in 1968. The change was actually implemented in 1970 and began with N1. Your Model 57 most likely dates to 1972.

Bill

One of my earlier 57s, S236904, was shipped on April 29, 1964. According to the factory letter by Jenks in 2002, the serial number of the first Model 57 shipped is unknown. Jenks wrote: "There is no record of the serial number of the first Model 57 built. We do know that the earlierst serial numbers were in the S227000 range." As Roy would say, I hope this helps.

Mahalo nui loa (thanks very much) Bill. That's all I need to know!

I have a 4" 57 with SN S249449 and a 6" 57 SN S249975 both with "Cokes" and probably first year guns. I haven't lettered them yet but the cokes were a bonus on early 57s.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

I just went and pulled out the 6" that I bought unfired from a farmer about 1990. The serial number is S240280.



Although it has a couple of boxes through it, as it was only one of two .41s I had at the time, it is still in 98% condition. I should probably letter this gun and two engraved 4" guns before Mr. Jinks retires...

I have another 1964 vintage 6" but whoever had it before me, while they didn't shoot it much, let it RUST badly...as in pits... So it is at the shop having the rusted end of the barrel shortened to 5"... I don't have the serial number handy and can't recall if it is higher or lower than the first one.









The gun will wear a set of Cokes that came on a Model 27-2 I purchased just to get the grips.



Bob

Finally got the Letter from Mr. Jinks this afternoon. (after nearly 2 1/2 months) S/N S237480 shipped on May 4, 1964, to Hoffman's Hardware in L.A. The first 57 shipped sometime in April, 1964, so it did turn out to be an early gun.

Best regards,

I just checked my 57 and the # is N1255xx

Mr. Monsai; Congratulations on your find! The early 57's are few and very far between...I've been fortunate due to help from Chuck Odom (29-1)and David Carroll to pull together two April '64 guns to add to my collection...
Although pictured before, for your benefit, here they are again...
4" Model 57 shipped April 28th, '64 to Kirkwood Bros of Boston


6" Model 57 shipped on the "1st" day of regular production shipments April 1st, '64! to Billings, Montana.

Pre-64,

Those are a couple of really nice 57s. It's interesting that your 1st day shipped 57 and your other 57, and mine are all within 120 numbers of each other, but Mr. Jinks in his letter states that, "[t]he Model 57 began at approximately serial number S227000 in April of 1964 and was serial numbered with all other N-frame revolvers." I wonder if he's mistaken with that number, because all of the early 57 that I've seen posted serial numbers on have been in the high S236000 to mid S237000 range. I understand that guns can be shipped out of sequence, but 10,000 seems like a pretty big difference.

Best regards,

Mr. Monsai,
Please refer to Doc44's and 29-1's earlier comments. S&W did not ship in serial # sequence. Frames were built and put into parts bins for various "N" frame revolvers. The frames were pulled from the parts bin as needed to fill a work order for the day. Very likely the earlier numbers were on the "bottom of the heap" or on the "backside of the rack". This practice was wide spread in American industrial manufacturing plants; cars, sewing machines, household goods, as well as in the firearms industry. By joining the S&WCA you can get a first-hand look at reported serial # sequences in the databases as well as expert first hand responses from Roy and others!
Again - Great find!