It seems like the S prefix hold more value or at least more attention than the N prefix on a M28-2.....can't remember why.

Can revolver pro's refresh my memory?

Thanks everyone!!

Randy

Although the condition of the gun, barrel length desirability, etc. have a significant bearing on value, the "S" series ran from 1946-1969; The "N" series is 1970-1983 according to my information.

Somebody else may be able to provide more detail ....

Many see the older S prefix guns as of better quality due to their age. I’d say there is a difference between a late 1940s and an early 1970s .357 Magnum/model 27. The difference between S333454 (the last recorded S prefix N frame) and N1, probably not much.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I don't know that "older" automatically means "better" but many of us prefer "older" anyway; sometimes means fewer available. I'll take the S sn every time if condition is equal. And sometimes even if condition isn't quite equal on some models such as the M57 where there are relatively few with the S sn. How much premium for the S, depends on the gun but probably less than 10% for most of us.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Age. S ran out and N started in 1969. Absolutely no difference between last S and first N but an S prefix suggests greater age and to collectors that's always a plus.

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No life story has happy end.

Our Gov't caused the change from S to N! The 1968 Gun Control Act stated every gun manufactured will have a peculiar serial number to that gun only! During the war S&W used the S prefix on M&P war guns, so there is a possibility there are two different guns out there with the same serial number. S&W changed the N frame guns to an N prefix but it took time, sometime in 1969, to purge the already stamped frames/guns from their stock! This change was made across the board to all models!
jcelect

Just checked, my highest S is a 27-2 ,
S269680.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I think the change to the N prefix actually took place in 1970, but I could be wrong. N925, a Model 28-2, shipped in May of that year. N1 is also a Model 28-2 (now engraved), but I don't know when it shipped. N3 is a 29-2, N25 is a 25-2 and N27 is a 27-2, not sure about N29 and N57. Fun to speculate though.

Bill

My S's:
M57 4"-S298***
M27-1 6.5"-S221***
Pre-29 6.5"-S181***
I was not looking for S prefix when I bought the the Pre29 and 57-just happened upon them. 27-1 was my Uncle's-RIP John.

Let's get some clarity here.
There were no S prefix revolvers during WWII. Beginning in January, 1945, there were some Victory Models with the SV prefix, but the first S prefix M&P shipped in February, 1946, and shipments began in earnest in March of that year.

Second, the S prefix K frame Military & Police revolvers had serial numbers no lower than S811xxx. The S prefix N frame guns never got anywhere nearly that high. They ended at S333xxx. Now, had S&W not switched to the N prefix when they did, it is likely the number sequence could have risen to the point they would duplicate the M&P numbers. But, as noted above by jcelect, the change came in plenty of time to avoid that situation.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I am rather fond of S prefix M28-2. These are 1961 to 1968

Attached Images

	M28-4in.jpg (62.2 KB, 37 views)
	M28-6in.jpg (55.2 KB, 35 views)

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I picked up a pre model 27 serial number S163xxx dont know much about it ,thinking 1956 mfg date, pretty good price i think, $ 600 ,not sure about the grips for being authentic , look nice to me and gun feels great.

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	IMG_5617.jpg (111.5 KB, 57 views)

I love my 3) S prefix Smiths, just not enough of them hopefully more to come.

1950 Target 6.5' 44 Spec S 138xxx

27-2 3.5" S 310xxx

27-2 8&3/8" S 328xxx

I generally look for revolvers in the era of 1950-1980, and would love to add more S prefix guns to my still rather small collection, but wouldn't choose a worn S gun over a more pristine N gun all other things being equal. Now, if it also had a rare feature, like a limited production barrel length, etc., I might still choose the more worn gun, as long as it was still mechanically sound. I only have one S-prefix gun, a M57.

I'm curious to know (sort of off-topic, but maybe not) when the large ampersand was replaced with the smaller one. My M57 (1968) and M28-2 (1973) both have the large one, but my others (all 1974-1980) have the small one.

The style of ampersand roll marked on the barrel is a study in itself and for N-frames varies by model (at least by my observation). I can say the style of ampersand changed in 1963, 1971, and 1973 for the Model 29.

In a general, the "lazy ampersand" or older style was gone by the early 70s for most models.

Bill

Bill is correct. The change in style of the ampersand is rather scattered around the time map. A year or so ago, I looked at each of my K and N frames (mid-1950s to 1981) and discovered some lack of consistency across models as to when the change was made. I think it is pretty much impossible to nail down a date with any certainty. It seems the older roll mark device was used concurrently with the newer style for a time.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

We like pictures.

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

already on some of my posts, just didn't want to crowd someone else's post.
Nelson

you ask for pics so here they are, But sorry if in wrong thread as they run from 1955 to 1984, did not know where else to put them. Nelson

Ps I once visited the dark side too, but not lately, last pic.

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	IMG_20201212_171738444.jpg (86.6 KB, 177 views)
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I don't need the pics...I've already seen them in person and handled them......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

Hello Pre27,66 and welcome to the Forum from Virginia. That is a real nice first post and a very, very good price ($600) on a pre-27.

The grips are not original, but look to be good enough to probably sell for the same money an original style set would cost.

My "pre 27, also a S s/n prefix Letters as shipping October 16, 1952 and I wouldn't even think about selling it for less than $1,200.

I'm pretty much with the rest of the Forum posters...I'll pay more for the "older" but not a heck of a lot if condition is exactly the same.

Attached Images

	Pre 27 a.jpg (34.9 KB, 35 views)
	Pre 27 e.jpg (33.8 KB, 32 views)
	Pre 27 g.jpg (29.8 KB, 32 views)

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

The S prefix is more desirable on model 29 pre 29s not because of age necessarily but because they have features that are scarce therefore quite collectable. For instance a S prefix serial number .44 magnum has 5 screws, 4 screws and then 3 screws, Coke stocks, diamond center stocks and right handed extractor threads on early guns. That doesn't make them better guns than those made in the 1970s just less of them. In fact I think the blueing and Nickel finish on the early N prefix guns is just a good or better than the earlier S prefix guns.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Hi guys

I have a friend who own a SW model 29-2 blue with a 8 1/2 barrel in a practically brand new condition (always wrap in a silicone base cloth) the finish is like a mirror and still has is original wood grip.

The serial is N400506 he ask me to found out the value of it and how old it is I think he is about to sell it since he is 79 years old and he doesn't go to the range no more.

I want to make him a offer but I have no idea of the value of it and I don't want to low ball him LOL!!!

Regards

The Model 29-2 with an 8 3/8-inch barrel (not 8 1/2) was most likely shipped in 1977. If 99%, I would offer him $1500.

Bill

Thank you , your pre 27 looks very fine ! I keep my eye peeled for older smiths. Same gun shop has an old model 28 , and a few old 19s I’ll be checking them soon . I did pick up a 581 today that looks new from same shop ( I know no N frame) but looks beautiful and another cheap price, has AAA2XXX serial # seems like a low # .

Wow Thank you very much so $1500.00 US I will let him know that one for sure.

Regards
Jacques

Isn't it just short of heresy to post pics of Colts in a S&W forum?

He DID put the Smiths first. Maybe we can overlook it this ONE time...

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protocalldesign.com

I was wondering what grips do you have on the 1950 Target.
Thanks Dave

The grips are FITZ Presentation wood, Have 2 sets of them 1) on the 1950 Target and 1) in a drawer waiting for a 1955 Target with the stock Magnas for the 1950. I have never found a set I liked better than the Presentation FITZ for target shooting, including a set of Nill grips I had on a Walther GSP. Once you wrap your hand around a set of these you will have to have a set, Harretts and Scott don't even come close. Nels.

New question on the "N" prefix serial numbers: just saw a GunBroker posting of a Model 57-1, raving about the "scarcity" of such a high serial for an "N" prefix gun. Is that just advertising fluffery? or is there something about later production "N" prefix guns that makes them desirable?



Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

I have two (2) S prefix revolvers, model 28 and model 58. Neither were acquired for the serial number, just lucky.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

There is nothing unusual or collectible about revolvers with a serial number in the N900000+ range. Just advertising hype. I had a Model 629-1 in my collection with serial number N932336. Just another nice 44 Magnum.

Bill

What is a good price for a blued Model 57-1 with one of those high "N" serial numbers, shooter grade, turn line but nice finish, no box/papers?

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I know this is a post from a couple of years ago, but the lazy ampersand is one of the features I love on the older revolvers. My take on them being concurrent with the newer style can be explained by parts availability during the transition, maybe partly due to barrel lengths and inventory usage. This would assume the barrels and frames are roll stamped before the individual parts are stamped with assembly numbers as they go down the line; one M28-2, for example, gets a 4" barrel with lazy ampersand, whereas the frame has the newer one (in the registration stamp); the next one gets a 6" barrel with the new style stamp, etc., until the old style inventory is gone. I only have three revolvers with lazy ampersands; a M58 from 1967, the lazy is in both spots, a M57 from 1968, same deal with the ampersands, and a M28-2 from 1973. It has the lazy one on the barrel, but a newer style on the frame. I would wonder, if it had the "S&W .357... stamp instead of the HP one, if the ampersand between S, and W, would have been lazy or not.

It's still a nice revolver, and desirable because of its caliber provenance, but I don't think it has as many desirable features as the "no dash" that collectors like. The M57-1 lost both the pinned barrel and recessed charge holes in the cylinder; features that I look for, as do many others, when searching for a particular gun that had them at some point. The M57-1 may be a more rare gun than the no-dash, due to its time in production; only 6 years for the dash-1 vs 18 for the no dash. In my own acquisitions, I only look for P&R revolvers, because they are features I like.

I also like to find a "S" serialed gun when searching. Generally speaking, the SCSW adds a premium to revolvers with an "S" SN. I don't see them necessarily as better made as the "N" prefix guns, but as from an earlier time in S&W's life, and they also have traits and features that make them more desirable, like the diamond and the coke bottle stocks. I only have two "S" revolvers a M57 and M58; unfortunately, I got the M57 with a non-factory rib attachment, and no factory stocks, but an otherwise excellent condition revolver. The M58 was a true Grail find; it was ANIB and unfired, had sat in two different owners' safes its entire life.