Griffin & Howe "Pinto"

[Fessor]

I got a brief glance at an unusual two tone 6" model 57 P&R yesterday. It is all nickel finish except the cylinder is blue. There is an "N" stamp on the grip frame. Has football cutout target stocks and a factory wood presentation case. In the case was a brief letter from Griffin & Howe on their letterhead addressing the revolver. I couldn't read the contents of the letter but it did mention the revolver. SN is N173xxx.

Anyone shed any light on this unusual M57?

 

[murphydog]

It was only the blue cylinder, not the ejector rod, thumb piece or sideplate screws or barrel? All these parts were usually part of the (reverse) two-tone package, but anything is possible.

The store letter may give useful information, but only a factory letter will tell you if it is original.

 

[Fessor]

Only the cylinder and extractor are blue. Nothing else. Store is asking $750 OTD.

 

[murphydog]

If it is NIB or nearly so, and the G & H letter states it is factory (and of course you like it), it sounds to be a fair price for a complete model 57 package.

 

[crsides]

Could be a blue cylinder added to a nickel gun. Either way price does not sound bad

 

[Fessor]

It's not a safe queen, has seen some use. Locks up way tighter than the average Smith.

 

[A10]

Educate me, wouldn't a factory reverse pinto have a blue barrel too? I'm not really up on pintos....

EDIT: Just saw murphydogs post.......

 

[Tired Gunsmith]

Any combination you wanted could be special ordered.
Have seen Nickle guns ordered with BLUE screws!

 

[jswhitesell619]

I would love to see pictures of this gun! And sounds like a decent deal to boot if you like the look