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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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  #1  
Old 12-04-2010, 04:51 PM
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I recently recieved a S&W 357 magnum from my Grandfather that past away. I think it is a MD 29 8in barrel. I would like to find out what year it is. I have found 2 sets of numbers on it. Is there a way to find this out. Thanks
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Old 12-04-2010, 05:04 PM
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The Model 29 is a .44 Magnum, if it's a 28 with an 8 3/8" barrel it's very, very rare or a 27 with this longer barrel is also a nice gun, but not as rare.

Post the first half of the serial number and myself or someone else can give you an approx. production date on it.
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Old 12-04-2010, 05:56 PM
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Either you are misreading the model number (easy to do) or it is mismarked (happens quite often) as the 29 is a 44 Magnum. Check the model number again carefully and the caliber should be on the barrel. If it does say Model 29 and the barrel has 357 Magnum on it then it is likely a mismarked Model 27.

Either a 29 or a 27 will usually be worth between $500-$1,000 depending on exact model and condition. A very early 29 will be worth more. The long barrel is least popular and hurts value some.
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Old 12-04-2010, 06:05 PM
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The easy way to determine the caliber is look on the right side of the barrel, the caliber will be stamped there. If you want to know the model #look on the yoke. Or better yet post some pictures so we can see your revolver.
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Old 12-04-2010, 07:08 PM
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on the barrel it does say 357 magnum. I was just guessing the model number by looking at pictures on the internet. I was told he bought it in the 60's. 207 is the 1st three out of 5 numbers if that helps. Thanks for the info so far
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Old 12-04-2010, 07:19 PM
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There is also another number that has 6 numbers in it 1st three are S-164. Thanks
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Old 12-04-2010, 07:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NAS View Post
There is also another number that has 6 numbers in it 1st three are S-164. Thanks
That would explain no model number. Sounds like a N frame 357 from 1956 or 57.
Is it glossy or dull finished?

pictures?
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Old 12-04-2010, 07:51 PM
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It is a glossy finish and the barrel is 8.25in long. I tryied putting pictures on but having issues. Thanks
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Old 12-04-2010, 08:05 PM
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Well, with the info so far this ought to be in the pre 1961 forum, in any case if you want to email me some pictures, I will post them for you til you figure out how.
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Old 12-04-2010, 09:40 PM
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Be aware that a post WW II 357 S&W will have a letter in the serial. For some reason 99% of people ignore the letter but it is part of the serial and it is important in identifying the gun. Should have an S or an N prefix so it would look like S123456 or N123456. If you would post it as "S1234xx" we can ID it and maintain your privacy.

The model number will be here if made after 1957. If made earlier it will not have one.

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Old 12-04-2010, 09:50 PM
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Here's one.

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Old 12-04-2010, 09:54 PM
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And the rest




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Old 12-04-2010, 09:58 PM
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s164XXX is the number on there, but the number that is in the spot that yours is showing there is no letter just 207XX
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Old 12-04-2010, 10:41 PM
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Well, it certainly is a 5 screw and won't have a model number. The grips are much later replacements. The other number you saw will have little or no meaning once it left yhe factory. I am not a N frame guy and I am sure more knowledgable folks will speak up soon.
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Old 12-04-2010, 11:14 PM
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Thumbs up Pre 27 357 Magnum with an 8.375" Barrel

NAS:

1st off - welcome to the forum. Your Grandfather's gun (serial number S164XXX) most likely shipped from the factory in 1957 (and based on the photos that I assume KPM posted for you) it is a late 5-screw N-Frame "pre 27" post war 357 magnum. In 1957, S&W made the decision to assign a model number to all of their guns and start stamping the model numbers in the crane area of the frame. At that time the N-Frame 357 became the Model 27. On most, but not all pre-27's the serial number will be stamped inside the barrel shroud (ejector rod housing), on the rear of the cylinder, on the back side of the extractor, on the rear face of the crane (facing the front of the cylinder), and on the bottom of the grip frame (you have to take the much newer target stocks off to see the SN). The gun most likely shipped with walnut diamond magna stocks, since it has neither the target trigger nor the target hammer. The early post war 357's are beautiful guns and the long barrels add grace to an already graceful, yet manly design.

It would have shipped in a package that looked like this (except for a larger box to accommodate the longer barrel) - Photo by lackejd at this post Pics of Recent Additions


Congratulations.
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Last edited by RKmesa; 12-04-2010 at 11:42 PM. Reason: Edited to reflect the photos posted by KPM
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Old 12-05-2010, 08:53 AM
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Thanks Richard. That was alot of help. With all that said I guess I posted in the wrong section, I didn't think it was that old. I was told by someone if you send the gun back to S&W they would refurbish the gun is this true, or is it better to leave alone. Thanks Nick
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Old 12-05-2010, 10:33 AM
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Not sure S&W will re-finish a gun that old. Even if they will, it will not be the hi-gloss finish you see in Richard's photo, which was your gun's original finish. They don't do that good of a polish any more.

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357 magnum, 44 magnum, ejector, extractor, model 27, model 29, n-frame, shroud, smith-wessonforum.com, walnut

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