I have both, but the only thing I see different is the S prefix has the diamond grips that ended in 1967 and the N prefix does not.

Even gun shop owners tell you that the S is better, or a different amount of frame screws, or the bluing is better. I can't tell a difference. What say you?

PS I have the Smith & Wesson book on order.

I had 2 M57's NIB. They were P&R late N serial number. Hard to imagine anything being prettier

__________________
Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

57’s are all 3 screw guns, S or N. But early S guns with the velour case and Coke bottle grips are worth twice what an N prefix gun is. But that value is mostly in the case and the grips. I have both. I shoot both. But I prefer an S serial number gun if I can get it just for the panache. If you look at a late S gun (S33xxxx) or an early N gun (N1xxx) they are essentially identical so only the market perception of increased value because of the S is different.

For me, what makes the S better than the N is the age, sort of like dash numbers in other models. Since the M57 is sort of a latecomer, it started with many of the modifications that many models went through quite a few dash numbers to reach. The M57 is a no-dash gun until 1982, (and the M58 was a no-dash gun during its entire original production run) when P&R was dropped and more changes started that were designed to make production less expensive. I don't necessarily feel those changes made the guns any better.

I feel very fortunate to have found both models with S serial numbers.

The difference between an S prefix and an N prefix gun is the date of manufacture! The Gun Control Act of 1968 stated, each and every gun will have a peculiar serial number to that gun and only that gun! In the history of S&W the S prefix was used on the M&P. There is a slim possibility there could be a N frame gun and a K frame gun with the same serial number. S&W changed the N frame guns to an N prefix and throughout their production all models incorporated a letter prefix until the early 1980s when they changed to the Alpha-numeric serial numbering system.
jcelect

Yes it seems the S prefix is just more desirable because of the age, 1964 - 1967 along with presentation case and diamond grips. Thanks! I have grown to collect them. Find them interesting