Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! S&W issued the order to implement model numbers in 1957, but actual implementation didn't occur until 1958, or later for some guns. Although your dad bought the gun in December 1957, it was likely made much earlier, maybe even back in 1955. S&W did not ship in serial number order. So, your gun could have sat in inventory for a substantial period before it was sent to a distributor. So, I hope this alleviates your bug.