Hello: I am a new member and I hope I am doing the correct thing on the forum.
I have the opportunity to buy an unusual firearm. It's a "Smython"(found the term on this terrific forum). information, is as follows.
It is a .357 S & W frame (model 28-2, serial number N5XXXXX).
The frame is wedded to a Colt Python six inch barrel.
It has a ball detent on the crane/yoke ( I hope my terminology is correct).
The gun has been double electroless nickel plated (so I'm told).
it has Pachmayr grips and also has an extra set of rosewood grips as well.
It appears to be in great condition, clean and not much fired.
Any help in identification and/or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

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Welcome! It's a beautifully converted gun; many K or medium frame S & W revolvers had Python barrels installed but this is the first N frame I can recall seeing. The ball detent was a proper addition due to the loss of the front ejector rod locking point of the standard S & W barrel.

It was a fairly popular swap in the late 1970s, and someone here may have seen (or owned) a similar gun and can let you know who might have done the work. There may also be some mark on the grip frame from the gunsmith (unlikely, and you will see all sorts of letters and numbers stamped there by the factory). Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Ditto..................got to say from the 2 pics......looks nice!!!!

On a scale of 1 to 100, the cool factor on that gun is 100.

I would buy it if the price was reasonable.

Super Neat Revolver.

Excellent! BTW, Ive come to prefer the term "Snake & Wesson"

Looks like a neat gun but I'd want to shoot it first to make sure it functions correctly. I'd check the barrel cylinder gap, make sure the timing is still correct, try and figure if the barrel cylinder alignment is correct, etc.

What's the asking price? Personally I'd be hesitant to pay any premium over a regular S&W 28-2.

I have one of these guns that turned out great. Yours is indeed the first of the ones I have seen on an N frame. Mine is a 4 inch, blue converted model 19. I did learn later that if you start with a 2 1/2 inch 19 you don't end up with the slight step that you do with the four inch. I had mine packed to take to the SWCA meeting this week end BUT it was cancelled for weather. Mine was done by Alex Hamilton at 10X in Texas. I've had it about 5 years or so and I must say it really turned out great. I'll try to get some pictures on later. Billy

The asking price on the "Snake & Wesson" (love that) is $500.00.
Does that seem reasonable? Thanks, Bishop

................. nothing to lose on that deal

It would probably cost at least twice that to build it today. Just sayin'.

Froggie

This is the 2nd Model 28-2 Smolt that I've seen pictures of here. I prefer that name because the two names I remember Davis Company store clerks and gun writers using for these conversions back in the day were Smolt and, for Ruger Six Series revolvers, Couger. Most were done on K-frames to get a heavy revolver with the best DA for PPC matches. Ruger Six Series revolvers were sometimes used for better durability. For those two frames the Colt barrel shank could be turned down then rethreaded. Few were done on N frames because weld had to be added to the Colt barrel shank to make it large enough to rethread for an N frame.

For $500 I would buy it in a heart beat just because, as was written above, it is cool. However, it would be prudent to fire it first, just in case.

Very neat! This was a popular conversion in the 80's for PPC guns. I've heard that some felt the Colt barrel was more accurate but the S&W action was much better. I think most of them were just because they were different and unique. I'd pay $500 in a heartbeat.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

The L frame killed these conversions!

I own a blued Snake & Wesson 4 inch barrel. It is a head turner and accurate. It appears that $500 is an unbelievable great price for that firearm. It would cost more than that to purchase a Python barrel and have it fitted today. Good luck. Great find.

Parts alone are worth the entry price. Go forth and spend.

Smolts are neat guns. Bill Davis used to build these regularly on K and N frame S&Ws in Sacramento, CA. There is local smith that still builds them and I'm working with him on an L frame one now. If you buy the gun and don't like it, shoot me a PM. I've had a few over the years, and one that I let go and shouldn't have was a 4" built on a Model 27-2. Here's a Model 15 Smolt built for me by Mark Kearns after he left Bill Davis:

I have said that I have bought my last gun... but this... I am holding my wallet ready to open.
Just beautiful, best of both worlds.

At least it isn't a Glockfield Armory, or a Toruger.