Did any other S&W revolvers other than he N-frame ".357 Magnum" (27, pre-27, Registered Magnum) ever come with a checkered top strap?
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Checkered top straps...
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OP
Did any other S&W revolvers other than he N-frame ".357 Magnum" (27, pre-27, Registered Magnum) ever come with a checkered top strap?
RedBerens
Member
As far as I know, the pre model 27, and model 27 was the only gun to have that feature.
OP
Thanks. That's what I thought. I'm just wondering why they didn't do it on other "top-of-the-line" guns like the .41 and .44 Magnums....
Texas Star
US Veteran
I think the cost, and the added width of the .44's barrel rib caused them not to checker those guns.
I think you can add the 627 to the list as well.
Jerry
Jerry
mkk41
US Veteran
I asked the same thing while ago , and after thinking about it , I believe it would also be a stronger frame without the checkered top strap.
Snapping Twig
Member
I had heard that it was a prestige feature and was hand done. Expensive and labor intensive. Modern methods superceeded it - the matte and ribs we see today.
I agree, it's fantastic and I enjoy drooling over it and appreciating the craftsmanship that went into it.
I agree, it's fantastic and I enjoy drooling over it and appreciating the craftsmanship that went into it.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Uh...I don't think so
diamonback68
US Veteran
I can't see how checkering can affect strength. It is merely surface decoration. The base metal is more than strong enough to do it's job.
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Didn't the 520 (not the current 520, but the NYSP contract guns) have the checkered top strap?
CMcDermott
Member
No, they had a rib but not checkered, and a small ramp front sight. With the rear sight being just a slot in the top-strap of the frame, 520's are unique for being the only fixed sight 357
1076shooter
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OK, only fixed-sight .357 N-frame.
Wickahoney
US Veteran
When the pre war Reg Mags came out they had the checkered top strap and rib and it was considered the top of the line and distinctive of "THE 357"> You have to rememebr when this was and that the 357 Mag was the first Mag that S&W built.
They were justifably proud of the relover and lavished all their knowledge and expertise on it.
S&W has always considered the Reg Mag, Non reg Mag, pre 27 and the 27 as the TOP of the line and as such reserved the checkered top strap and rib to and for that model.
While they could have put it on lots of things and maybe even recouped the money it cost, that wasn't the point. The point was, "This is the finest handgn we make, period", and we lavish a lot of attention to detail on THIS revolver.
If you read back through the records and interviews the N frame 357 Magnum was always considered S&Ws Premier revolver and as such the saved the checkering as a feature unique to it.
The original 520 was envisioned as a duty gun and ordered as such or in reality, not orderer and S&W thought of it as a duty gun, much like the Highway Patrolman/Model 28 and therefore no embelishment was in order.
At least that's the way I've always heard the story.
RWT
They were justifably proud of the relover and lavished all their knowledge and expertise on it.
S&W has always considered the Reg Mag, Non reg Mag, pre 27 and the 27 as the TOP of the line and as such reserved the checkered top strap and rib to and for that model.
While they could have put it on lots of things and maybe even recouped the money it cost, that wasn't the point. The point was, "This is the finest handgn we make, period", and we lavish a lot of attention to detail on THIS revolver.
If you read back through the records and interviews the N frame 357 Magnum was always considered S&Ws Premier revolver and as such the saved the checkering as a feature unique to it.
The original 520 was envisioned as a duty gun and ordered as such or in reality, not orderer and S&W thought of it as a duty gun, much like the Highway Patrolman/Model 28 and therefore no embelishment was in order.
At least that's the way I've always heard the story.
RWT
