Opinions wanted; Model 657 in 45 Colt

Allen-frame · Jun 21, 2011

These are the auction pictures. This 3" model 657 was converted to 45 Colt.
The owner is deceased and no history is known.
If the work was done well the gun has great value to me as a collector of
Smiths chambered in 45 Colt.
When will you ever see a forged part gun with a 3" barrel in 45 Colt?

So, I bid on it and won it. Unfortunately some bottom feeder from Tampa
drove the price and I had to pay through the nose.
Oh Well,, ramen noodles for dinner for the next month.

What do you think?

Regards
AlleN Frame

Maximumbob54 · Jun 21, 2011

If you didn't admit up front that it is (was) a 657 then I would be looking up to see what model number that would be. It looks like a factory gun. I would have been fooled otherwise. I still need my book for a reference. The only give away IMHO is the 45 L. COLT marking. I would have just done .45 COLT and in smaller size that would match the opposite side of the barrel. But it is truly unique. I bet your Tampa opponent was banging his fist on his desk just like you... but he still lost.

jimmyjoe · Jun 21, 2011

Congratulations, I would like to have one of those.

colt_saa · Jun 21, 2011

Congratulations, it is a cool little snubby.

toroflow1 · Jun 21, 2011

You must've sure wanted it to pay over $1100 for it!!!

Sportsterguy · Jun 21, 2011

I saw it for sale and it did look cool. Don't own a .45 LC but have four .41 mags. If it was bored and rebarelled correctly you have one heck of a very unique revolver.

Looks great! Let us know how she shoots.

jhvaughan2 · Jun 21, 2011

Put that on two lists:
Models S&W should have made.
One I bet you don't have.

Congrats on a unique find.

DCWilson · Jun 21, 2011

Interesting revolver. I don't think you paid too much for what is probably a singleton. I have paid even more than that for low-availability revolvers from the last 25 years.

I didn't even know there were three inch .41 magnums available. Were they Lew Horton runs? I wonder if there are LH .44s that have been converted to .45 Colt

I agree S&W probably could have sold some of these if they had seen fit to introduce the model.

BudMan5 · Jun 21, 2011

I don't think you paid to much and I freaking love that gun and actually the very idea of it is great.

Cashdog · Jun 21, 2011

Very interesting. I have a 657 that the previous owner had a little work done to in order to set it up for competition. I was beginning to think about moving it, but you've now given me some other options to consider. Might make a keeper out of it after all.

Allen-frame · Jun 21, 2011

You all are about the core group I anticipated a response from.
Thanks for the encouragement. I needed it.

I will have a report back when it arrives and I test a few rounds
through it.

david, I like how you called it a 'singleton' that was my thought exactly.

I do have 2 of the 625-7s in 3 " and am hesitant to shoot them at all.
These days they are worth their weight in gold.

Regards
Allen

pharmer · Jun 21, 2011

That gun will be a perfect addition to your collection, Allen. Joe

k22fan · Jun 22, 2011

I like it.

Just talking off the top of my hat it looks like an '80s Lew Horton frame, combats and internals with an early to mid '90s .45 colt cylinder from one of the 5" FL production runs. I presume the .41 barrel was rerifled because of the cartridge stamping but you'll have more to go on when you get a good look at the style of rifling.

Shooters are what the sport is all about for me and I like personalized revolvers. They're more fun than collectors that are too good to fire.

Opinions wanted; Model 657 in 45 Colt

Allen-frame

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Maximumbob54

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jimmyjoe

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colt_saa

toroflow1

Sportsterguy

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jhvaughan2

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DCWilson

BudMan5

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Cashdog

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Allen-frame

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pharmer

k22fan

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