MAG-NUM
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What did a new Smith & Wesson model 57 complete package look like when it was delivered to the customer back in 1980?
The following is a photo essay showing how the gun was packaged from the factory.
First a little background on the model 57 taken from the Standard catalog of Smith & Wesson.
"The .41 Magnum was originally conceived as an ideal Police round, offering a larger diameter bullet than a .357 Magnum
without the over penetration and heavy recoil of the .44 Magnum." The model 57 was produced from February of 1964 until it was discontinued in 1993.
Ok, lets get to the pictures. First we see the shipping carton with the product identification labels on the end:
As the box was opened the cardboard filler is removed revealing the two piece blue box containing the revolver.
Note that inside the carton filler, the cleaning kit and sight adjustment tool sealed in its plastic bag was wrapped in
brown tissue to protect it during shipping:
As you lift out the unmarked two piece blue box with the metal reinforced corners, you can see the presentation case in
its plastic bag in the bottom of the carton:
Opening the blue box reveals the model 57 in polished blue with all the target options including the red ramp
front sight / white outline rear sight, wide target hammer and trigger, smooth target / presentation grips and an 8 3/8" barrel.
Along with the gun, wrapped in the Smith & Wesson marked brown rust preventative paper you will find the owners manual
and another document about ammunition as well as the warranty card and a list of S&W authorized service centers:
At last we get to the presentation case.
This particular style case was made from 1978 until 1981 and was the final type of case produced. Unfortunately, S&W
decided to take the cheaper route and instead of using the flocked molded plastic inserts they went with a thin blue
foam sheet that was stretched over the liner and stuck to the sides with double sided tape. These never held up.
The next photo shows what an unused case looks like after 30 years:
Now this will not fly for me and I am able to do my own restoration work.
So I relined the case and this is how it looks now, not factory original but usable and much more pleasing to the eye.
Lastly are a few shots of the gun and full package displayed. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Bob
The following is a photo essay showing how the gun was packaged from the factory.
First a little background on the model 57 taken from the Standard catalog of Smith & Wesson.
"The .41 Magnum was originally conceived as an ideal Police round, offering a larger diameter bullet than a .357 Magnum
without the over penetration and heavy recoil of the .44 Magnum." The model 57 was produced from February of 1964 until it was discontinued in 1993.
Ok, lets get to the pictures. First we see the shipping carton with the product identification labels on the end:
As the box was opened the cardboard filler is removed revealing the two piece blue box containing the revolver.
Note that inside the carton filler, the cleaning kit and sight adjustment tool sealed in its plastic bag was wrapped in
brown tissue to protect it during shipping:
As you lift out the unmarked two piece blue box with the metal reinforced corners, you can see the presentation case in
its plastic bag in the bottom of the carton:
Opening the blue box reveals the model 57 in polished blue with all the target options including the red ramp
front sight / white outline rear sight, wide target hammer and trigger, smooth target / presentation grips and an 8 3/8" barrel.
Along with the gun, wrapped in the Smith & Wesson marked brown rust preventative paper you will find the owners manual
and another document about ammunition as well as the warranty card and a list of S&W authorized service centers:
At last we get to the presentation case.
This particular style case was made from 1978 until 1981 and was the final type of case produced. Unfortunately, S&W
decided to take the cheaper route and instead of using the flocked molded plastic inserts they went with a thin blue
foam sheet that was stretched over the liner and stuck to the sides with double sided tape. These never held up.
The next photo shows what an unused case looks like after 30 years:
Now this will not fly for me and I am able to do my own restoration work.
So I relined the case and this is how it looks now, not factory original but usable and much more pleasing to the eye.
Lastly are a few shots of the gun and full package displayed. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Bob
