Brought home a Model 57

Relic Hunter 451 · #1 02-28-2021, 10:33 PM

So I got my hands on a nice model 57. It is an S prefix gun and it is the first I've ever had the opportunity to buy. Needless to say I didn't let it slip away. It is sporting a 4" barrel and all the pinned and recessed goodness. How often do these show up in your neck of the woods?

M29since14 · #2 02-28-2021, 10:43 PM

Not often at all. In the past, .41s came and went. Only a few people were interested in .41s and sometimes those who thought they were changed their minds. Ammunition was a problem for the non-handloader. Nowadays, I think people likely hang on to almost any decent, older .41 or .44 Magnum - unless they think they might make an irresistible killing selling it.

I have a friend who owns a similar Model 57 that I always admired - in fact similar right down to the stocks. They appear almost identical. Your picture made me look twice.

Beautiful revolver you have there. Congratulations on finding it.

JP@AK · #3 02-28-2021, 10:47 PM

Very nice. I have one with the 6" barrel and have been keeping an eye out for a 4". But in more than 10 years I've not seen a single one for sale (locally).

I'm glad you found one that is in great condition.

Hair Trigger · #4 02-28-2021, 10:56 PM

That's beautiful! Nice to see another "S" prefix M57. What's the SN, would like to see how much older than mine yours is; mine dates to 1968 (S3195xx). I don't know exactly where, I didn't get the original stocks, so I don't know if the originals were diamond or not, and mine is a 6" barrel. I see your location is SE coastal NC, I was down your way a couple of weeks ago and picked up a ANIB "S" M58 in Southport to go with my M57. My '57 is my favorite of all my S&W revolvers, has the smoothest action. I love the trigger on yours; looks like someone smoothed the ribs off the target trigger, it's a lot thinner than the ribbed one. My M28-2 has a factory smooth trigger, I wish I had it on all of them.

Do you reload? Hope so, if you want to shoot it much. Starline makes excellent .41Mag brass, but like loaded ammo, components are hard to find right now.

Welcome to Club .41!

Late edit: I copied and enlarged your pic with the cylinder open. That is a LOW SN for a M57; I can't read the 2nd digit, though.

M29since14 · #5 02-28-2021, 11:07 PM

Hair Trigger, your gun most likely did not ship with diamond targets.

Relic Hunter 451 · #6 02-28-2021, 11:10 PM

Serial # S2995xx

colt_saa · #7 02-28-2021, 11:11 PM

Congratulations, it looks very nice

4" Model 57s that are not Mountain Guns are scarce. I have two, one shooter and one that is not

My 4" shooter sat in it's original cardboard box for about 3 weeks(until power was restored) after a Hurricane soaked the cardboard. I have a new barrel for it, just have not gotten around to swapping it in for the rusted one.

I got into 41 Magnums accidentally back in 1980. Hopefully you will like your first 41 Magnum as much as I liked mine

BTW, The group photo is more than 10 years out of date. Lots of additions since then

Hair Trigger · #8 02-28-2021, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M29since14

Hair Trigger, your gun most likely did not ship with diamond targets.

I guess that makes me feel better about not getting them, then.

At least I got them on my M58, which is a year older than the M57.

Hair Trigger · #9 02-28-2021, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic Hunter 451

Serial # S2995xx

That puts it 1967-68. My M58 is S2968xx, so they were pretty close to each other, I figure in '67.

Great find.

rubiranch · #10 02-28-2021, 11:16 PM

Nice find. Glad you didn't let it slip away. I love my 58.

41 Roadmaster · #11 02-28-2021, 11:26 PM

Congratulations. They are hard to find in my area. I got mine in the mid 1980's, it's an 8 3/8" barrel and I love it.

You sure have a beautiful revolver.

G-Mac · #12 02-28-2021, 11:32 PM

I have an "S" serial Model 58. I bought it from the original owner's son. It came with diamond targets. He told me those were the original grips (stocks....for you high class people). I know the LGS where it was bought new. They are still in business. I'm not going to pay for a factory letter just to see if it shipped with diamond targets. I picked up a set of PC Magnas for it, so I can dress it up either way.

BLACKHAWKNJ · #13 02-28-2021, 11:35 PM

Had my N prefix 4" blue since 1980, I was such a dedicated reloader that it was 10 years before I fired a factory round.

Hair Trigger · #14 02-28-2021, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLACKHAWKNJ

Had my N prefix 4" blue since 1980, I was such a dedicated reloader that it was 10 years before I fired a factory round.

I haven't ever seen a factory .41 Magnum load around these parts, doubtful if I ever will. I have enough brass, bullets and powder to keep both of mine barking for a pretty good while.

You sure get some surprised looks when you turn loose on the pistol range with a bunch of 9mm shooters.

hibbs · #15 03-01-2021, 01:05 AM

My favorite shooting gun is the .41mag. I bought my first one in 1967, the 8 3/8". After that I had to have the full set. I picked up the others as they became available, all first issue guns between 1964-1967. My friends think I'm crazy, but I still love the . I made the presention case just for these guns.

Richard

nate-dogg · #16 03-01-2021, 01:10 AM

I've only seen 2 model 57s for sale locally. I bought both of them!

JDBoardman · #17 03-01-2021, 01:25 AM

I have a 58 that I've had for about 4 years. When I got it, it had the worst electroless nickel finish I have ever seen - it was covered with what could best be described as pebbles. I suspect it was pulled out of the plating solution at least once, probably to check the progress, and then put back in. I sent it to APWCogan and had it stripped and hard chromed. Looks much better now. I just this month got a new 57-6 6";
yes it has the Hillery hole, but the blueing is absolutely spectacular. Almost makes me want to keep it a safe queen...naw, I'll go shoot it, clean it and repeat as often as I can. 41 magnum is an addictive caliber, and given what store-bought ammo costs, I'm glad I reload.

Neversink n Klapperthal · #18 03-01-2021, 08:08 AM

My chances of finding an older N frame in a local gun store are nearly impossible.

Hair Trigger · #19 03-01-2021, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hibbs

My favorite shooting gun is the .41mag. I bought my first one in 1967, the 8 3/8". After that I had to have the full set. I picked up the others as they became available, all first issue guns between 1964-1967. My friends think I'm crazy, but I still love the . I made the presention case just for these guns.

Richard

Beautiful collection; and a fine job on the presentation case. Did you also do the embossing work for the logo? I couldn't see the corners, but did you finger joint the corners?

Doc44 · #20 03-01-2021, 09:51 AM

The only known Model 57 with a 5-inch barrel made as a special order for COL Cunningham and shipped in January 1968. Click on the photo for a better look.

Bill

Roofuss · #21 03-01-2021, 10:24 AM

Very nice find, congrats .
I have a no dash model 57 { 6" } and a 57-5 {4"} .
Love the .41 mag, and also have plenty of reloading components.

rubiranch · #22 03-01-2021, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate-dogg

I've only seen 2 model 57s for sale locally. I bought both of them!

I sold my very nice 57 last year because I didn't think I'd ever shoot it because it was soo nice. I sold all my safe queens.

I kept my 58, never considered selling it and never will.
I love shooting it and if I could pick between the two again
I'd still pick the 58.

I have a lot of .41 Mag ammo.

krsmith58 · #23 03-01-2021, 12:20 PM

i've only seen one for sale around here. yes i did. krs/kenny

SuperMan · #24 03-01-2021, 01:50 PM

Welcome to The Cult Relic Hunter...you have apparently lived up to your name...

The 4" 57/657/58 are my favorite S&Ws bar none... They RARELY come up for sale in the shops I frequent in New England and when they do you better be standing there as it will be gone in a day.

Lots of good posts and links to everything .41...

.41 Magnum / 41 Special Load Data Center

1964-2014...The .41 Magnum

...and now of course you really need a 58...

The 'unofficial' 58 Club

Bob

Doug M. · #25 03-01-2021, 04:58 PM

[QUOTE=Doc44;141079977]The only known Model 57 with a 5-inch barrel made as a special order for COL Cunningham and shipped in January 1968. Click on the photo for a better look.
Bill
5" N frames are just right. Kind of like certain types of women.

As for making friends at a range ... my first LEOSA qual was inside at a range that did not allow lead ammo (ventilation). All I had that was jacketed was the Gold Dot Hunting load. Oh dear, was it rank. I think 210 grains at 1400+. I got some looks, and the instructor running the qual had a few choice words for me of which the only part I can put here was the need to go to the dentist to have his fillings checked. That was right after doing a qual with my Glock 33.

Not a way to make friends.

SuperMan · #26 03-02-2021, 08:35 AM

...yea, not too tall and not too short...what did Goldie Locks say.."just right"...
1964 57 and a 90s vintage 657-3...

bananaman · #27 03-02-2021, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic Hunter 451

So I got my hands on a nice model 57. It is an S prefix gun and it is the first I've ever had the opportunity to buy. Needless to say I didn't let it slip away. It is sporting a 4" barrel and all the pinned and recessed goodness. How often do these show up in your neck of the woods?

Congratulations! Sure looks like a super nice 1! Isn't it great when something like that comes along? Bob