Just a question -

A friend of mine mentioned to me he had sold a Model 58 some time ago, which had Factory Target sights, and the original Box which had the Adjustable or Target Sights mentioned on on the label or on the Box end, or something. Serial Number on Bx matched the Revolver and Box was for a model 58.

He is familiar with the difference between the Model 57, and 58, and he is sure this was Model 58.

This was all I was able to find out from him.

He did not seem to think it was anything special, he just assumed someone had ordered it from S & W this way...so, my question to you all is - did S & W fit the Model 58 with Target Sights or with 'Adjustable sights' back when, if someone were to have ordered one that way?

He felt strongly it was from the 1960s, but did not remember if it was an S prefix, or N prefix.

Thanks!

Anything is possible with enough money and influence, but I would strongly suspect an aftermarket modification of both the gun and box label in this instance.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I strongly suspect your friend is honestly misremembering.

He was only off by one number.

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Charlie

Or someone put a M 57 on the wrong transport cart and it went to the serial number stamper who did the M 58 stamping. Then it went to the boxer person who put it in a box and labeled it appropriately. It was probably a Friday afternoon close to quitting time. .....

I'll find out if he has any images of it.

It seemed pretty improbable to me, but then, I dunno - if a favored distributor or who 'someone who was someone' had ordered one this way, maybe S & W would have done it..?

He seemed to believe it was 'Target Sights' ( adjustable front for elevation and rear for some elevation, and also windage ) vis a vie adjustable Sights ( only the rear Sight adjustable ), but I will go grille him some more tomorrow on that.

Thanks guys!

When I bought my (used) Model 58 back in ‘77 or ‘78 the dealer had at least one more that wasn’t moving so he installed target sights on it.

Huh!

Milled longways in the top strap like S & W does it? Or..?

Never say never............

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

It is actually quite easy to mill the cuts for adding adjustable sights to the frame and then you have to drill and tap the mounting hole. If the front sight isn't pinned that would be harder than the rear. I guess you could just mill of the low one and mill a slot to silver solder in a high one with no real ramp

Boy, Mr. steelslaver, you sure do make that modification sound quite simple.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I sold my 57 and kept my 58 because it has fixed sights.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

With a mill it isn't hard. I have put adjustable sights on 4 1917 (mostly Brazilian frames) and one I frame 32.

But, some times things make you go huh. I was just out in my shop and replaced the 2" barrel on a j frame 22 flat latch. That part was easy. Time fine, gap is fine. But, when I went to stick in my longer J frame rod I had I found out the long one I have is right had thread and I need a left had. This might be fun to find. Numerich is out.

Top is now a 45 colt and bottom a acp
Both started as Brazilians, both now have cut down 1950 barrels

I prefer the Model 58 also, to the Model 57, and for the same reason.

If I ever need to call on it, it will not be for 50 Yard slow fire...it will be for something in a hurry, and a lot closer.

Nice Work!

The Brazillian re-do is mighty handsome to my own eye...well done!

1. The gentleman is not remembering correctly. Often happens when trying to recall details from long ago and 50+ years is a long time.

2. Someone added adjustable sights before it came into his possession. You see them like that from time to time even though it's easier, faster and cheaper to buy a 57. Ask him if it had an exposed ejector rod.

3. The gun's frame was missmarked 58 when it was actually built as a 57. With so many different models being built on the same frame this is a fairly common error.

It's nearly impossible to play detective with a gun that is no longer available for examination.

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No life story has happy end.

If the barrel has an ejector shroud it's a 57.

Post photo's of the gun and the box...without photo's , it's just talk...
Talk is cheap and sometimes incorrect .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

Yep, photos tell a better story. I guess it's a Model 57, perhaps mismarked as a Model 58. If it is a Model 58, then an adjustable rear sight would be a modification.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Several years ago there was a 58 floating around that someone had installed adjustable sights on. It did not look all that good to me.

Smith & Wesson has been known to stamp the wrong model number sometimes. Sometime in the past, someone claimed they had a Model 57 44 Magnum. As Big Cholla said, they do make mistakes. Just like everyone used to think the difference between a Model 30 and a Model 31 was the 30 was round butt and the 31 was square butt. The only problem with that is, some Model 31s were round butt.

I agree with ^^^.

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Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life