Correct era boxes for pre model 27

[312_Main]

Ok so I have an ad in the wanted section of the forum but honestly I'm not certain of the correct box I need. Is there an existing thread here or can we start one that would show pictures of the various boxes and what years they cover. If there is a book with the info I'm also happy to buy it.

My new prize bought yesterday after getting help on this forum is a 1956 nickel 6" pre model 27 (S 164XXX) as shown below and it does not come with a box. I'd like to know which box I need and am interested in the other ones as well. Probably be good for all of us if one or two of the recognised S&W gurus could help out. I've got pics of various gold, blue etc. boxes but just don't know which goes with each of the years.

Thanks for any help.

Mike in Vancouver, BC

 

[GF]

Look on Amazon.com (or other book sites ) for The Standard Catalog of S&W 3rd Ed. and buy it for all things S&W.

We'll see if it's a wood case or gold box from the heavy hitters that will be forthcoming.

GF

 

[312_Main]

Look on Amazon.com (or other book sites ) for The Standard Catalog of S&W 3rd Ed. and buy it for all things S&W.

We'll see if it's a wood case or gold box from the heavy hitters that will be forthcoming.

GF

Roger that & thanks.

ps - just ordered the book online - that was easy...

 

[gjamison]

i have a pre model 27 blued in a gold box, numbered to my gun. i think it's going to be hard to find a nickel labeled gold box for that one. nice gun and great stocks to. look on GB, Gwimer has alot of boxes up for auction, you my get lucky...


i would also get a factory letter for that one.

 

[DCWilson]

My 1956 Pre-27, finished in high-polish blue, came in a gold box.

 

[Doc44]

David Wilson is correct...your .357 would have been shipped in a gold box.

Bill

 

[312_Main]

David Wilson is correct...your .357 would have been shipped in a gold box.

Bill

Good info, now I know what I'm looking for.

 

[NT430]

This particular 6" WOR/ Red Ramp "Pre-27" #S136431 shipped May21st, 1958 (Late for a 5-screw) in the pictured box.

 

[312_Main]

This particular 6" WOR/ Red Ramp "Pre-27" #S136431 shipped May21st, 1958 (Late for a 5-screw) in the pictured box.

That is interesting as your serial number predates my 1956 one of S 164XXX. I look forward to getting a letter to find out my ship date.

Mike

 

[Hammerdown]

David Wilson is correct...your .357 would have been shipped in a gold box.

Bill

Hello Bill
I have a Gold Blue .357 Magnum Box trivia question for you... When did S&W use the "Blue Metal Corner Braces" on these ..357 Magnum Gold and Blue Box's ? Thanks in advance to any Insight you can share here. Regards, Hammerdown

 

[Doc44]

Kurt...Wish I could help, but I don't know all that much about gold boxes. The two I have in my collection (dating to 1950 and 1953) both have gold metal braces on the corners. You might ask Roy this question as he would most likely know the answer.

Bill

 

[NT430]

That is interesting as your serial number predates my 1956 one of S 164XXX. I look forward to getting a letter to find out my ship date.

Mike

Mike,
Mine, as you might have noticed on the bottom of the box, was rebarreled at the factory from 3 1/2" to a 6". My best guess is that S&W received an order for a 6" barreled .357 w/ WOR & Red Ramp. These were not the "standard" configuration at the time for the .357, but available. A S&W employee found a .357 on the shelf , rebarreled per the order request and sent it off in a 6 1/2" Gold Box (note the "1/2" is slightly covered by a black mark.
As Roy Jinks has stated many times, in so many words, "S&W was is the business of making money, not collectibles!"
S&W did NOT ship in serial number sequence. There are many, many examples, of this. They simply sold the gun that was available (with specifics as ordered by the customer), in the box that was available, with the screwdriver/ tools that were available, with the warranty card & paperwork that were available to make money! In most cases, guns of a particular model/ vintage or serial # range did ship within a relatively close time frame (within months of each other).
(see Doc44's and 29-1's posts regarding the early .44 Magnums serial #'s vs ship dates)

 

[312_Main]

Mike,
Mine, as you might have noticed on the bottom of the box, was rebarreled at the factory from 3 1/2" to a 6". My best guess is that S&W received an order for a 6" barreled .357 w/ WOR & Red Ramp. These were not the "standard" configuration at the time for the .357, but available. A S&W employee found a .357 on the shelf , rebarreled per the order request and sent it off in a 6 1/2" Gold Box (note the "1/2" is slightly covered by a black mark.
As Roy Jinks has stated many times, in so many words, "S&W was is the business of making money, not collectibles!"
S&W did NOT ship in serial number sequence. There are many, many examples, of this. They simply sold the gun that was available (with specifics as ordered by the customer), in the box that was available, with the screwdriver/ tools that were available, with the warranty card & paperwork that were available to make money! In most cases, guns of a particular model/ vintage or serial # range did ship within a relatively close time frame (within months of each other).
(see Doc44's and 29-1's posts regarding the early .44 Magnums serial #'s vs ship dates)

That's what makes this hobby/passion so interesting. Unravelling the mystery is part of the interest I guess. I'm going to look forward to getting my letter. In Canada it would have been more likely that someone would buy "off the shelf" rather than order specific options from S&W. Therefore the target grips and red ramp front sight are a bit unusual for up here. However it's even more unlikely here that someone would find and install those parts after market so i'm quite curious.

Mike

 

[Doc44]

Although the vast majority of S&W's ".357" Magnum with a barrel length of six inches or longer was fitted with a Patridge front sight blade (probably the cheapest to install), this model could be ordered with any combination of target sights (per the All Model Circulars from the 50s). I have owned a couple with red ramps and a couple with red post front sight blades.

Bill