MODEL 57 .44 MAG??
- Thread starter reddot17
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mkk41
US Veteran
S-frame??? 
kwselke
Member
My bet, a .41 that was somehow converted to .44. It could be a mis-mark, but my first thought when I hear stories like this is a conversion.
Smithhound
US Veteran
When the movie 'Dirty Harry' came out the demand for .44 Magnums went thru the roof, what had sold for $275 almost tripled in price and the supply dried up. Everyone had to have 'the most powerful handgun on earth', but they just weren't available. I'd bet yours dates from that time period, someone had to have a .44 mag and probably took a 57 frame and had a .44 barrel installed on it, a common practice that made sense at the time.
A factory letter is the only way to tell for sure of course. Interesting pieced of S&W history and if it's done in a quality fashion it should be safe to shoot, but I'd stick with low power Mag's or .44 special's to be on the safe side.
Where are the pictures??
RD
A factory letter is the only way to tell for sure of course. Interesting pieced of S&W history and if it's done in a quality fashion it should be safe to shoot, but I'd stick with low power Mag's or .44 special's to be on the safe side.
Where are the pictures??
RD
The Model 29 and the Model 57 are essentially the same revolver except for caliber (.430 versus .410). Your revolver with a serial number beginning with the letter "S" (N, or large frame, not an S frame) was most likely was originally going to be a Model 57, but was manufactured as a Model 29 and not re-stamped in the yoke cut. This situation is reported by collectors from time to time.
Bill
Bill
I have a M28-2 in .41mag, conversions were popular for a while in the 60's and 70's. It has a 6" barrel, Nickel, So it's fun to tell someone who thinks they know everything that I have a Nickel, M28-2 .41mag and listen to them going on. Shoots great! Converted by Trapper Gun works, near Detroit.
Last edited:
williamlayton
Member
I am now very confused
Who did the changes ?
If S&W did the changes at the factory before delivery why in the world would there not be some indentifier ?
Blessings
PS---this scares me !
Who did the changes ?
If S&W did the changes at the factory before delivery why in the world would there not be some indentifier ?
Blessings
PS---this scares me !
williamlayton...In order for a 44 Magnum revolver to be stamped Model 57 in the yoke cut S&W would have used a frame they stamped previously MOD. 57 in that location. When the frame was assembled into a completed revolver, it was fitted with a 44 Magnum barrel and cylinder, etc. and shipped as a Model 29. Sometimes, S&W would overstamp the 57 with a 29, but this usually resulted in something unreadable so they left the original stamping alone.
A check of factory records would show the above revolver as a Model 29.
The reverse situation has also occurred and 41 Magnums stamped MOD. 29 have been shipped (for the same reasons).
Bill
A check of factory records would show the above revolver as a Model 29.
The reverse situation has also occurred and 41 Magnums stamped MOD. 29 have been shipped (for the same reasons).
Bill
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
With so many models being built on the exact same frame (25,27,28,29,57 etc) it is understandable that from time to time the wrong model number gets stamped. It is a fairly common occurrence. Or as Doc44 stated, they may have intentionally grabbed a 29 stamped frame and built a 57 out of it because they needed a 57 frame at that moment and that was what was at hand. Sometimes guns are converted to other models by swapping barrels and cylinders. Any of the above is a possibility with your gun. But the overwhelming odds are it is simply stamped with the wrong model number. When you hear hoof beats, look for horses, not zebras.
Some sellers will try to get a premium for such a gun calling it a rare factory mistake, but in fact it's not all that rare and most people will not pay extra for one. Or less, either.
Some sellers will try to get a premium for such a gun calling it a rare factory mistake, but in fact it's not all that rare and most people will not pay extra for one. Or less, either.
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yep...as stated above....I recently picked up a beautiful M57 in the presentation case and in the yoke its stamped 29-2...the factory letter that came with it reveals it was no conversion but rather a factory stamp error...
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