identify and value a side ejector magnum

[boydjay]

Please help id year o manufacture and value of this very good condition S&W revolver. Thanks

type hand ejector
serial 1341xx
Calibre .357 magnum
barrel 6.5inches
sights post war adjustable
Strain screw apologies,
did not notice

The firearm is in very good original ( not restored) condition. Very good shooter. Very accurate with lovely single action trigger. Bluing worn thru both sides of barrel for 1/2 inch near front sight. original grips and 2 sets of wood target grips. I am wondering about value of this firearm in Canada. Thanks

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

We need the number taken from the revolver's butt, including any letter prefixes such as "K", "S", "N" etc. Pictures are also helpful. You may need to remove the grips to see the SN.

 

[Göring's S&W]

You are likely missing the "S" serial prefix which is often spaced enough away from the numerical portion of the SN that it is left off when people state the SN on their vintage S&W revolver.

I assume when you say strain screw, you mean the trigger guard screw? If so, that screw is actually for the plunger spring for the cylinder stop. If the number you gave is correct, then 2+2, the gun must be a 5 screw because 3 screw guns were in full force by the time of N1341XX. The strain screw is the screw found on the front strap of the grip frame and its job is to add tension to the mainspring.

If the SN is in fact S1341XX your N frame 357 magnum dates to 1954/55. If you instead have a K frame, multiple digits are missing from the SN you provided.

 

[Texas Star]

Where in Canada? Values may vary, if like the USA.

That 6.5 inch barrel means it's some variant of the basic, original .357 Magnum, later evolved into Model 27. Other models were offered with 6.0 inch bbls., but not 6.5 inches.

A sharp, clear photo(s) would be a major help.

But the full serial no. with letter prefix, , plus that 6.5 inch bbl. should get you a firm answer.

 

[boydjay]

Apologies again!
I jumped the gun asking questions. I have bought the handgun but waiting for papers to clear to take delivery and don't have access to it. That is why I am unable to check screws. I will get back at this question in a couple weeks. Thanks

 

[DWalt]

With a SN in that range (assuming the number you provided is the SN), if an N-frame it would necessarily have an "S" prefix and was probably manufactured in 1955. There was never a K-frame revolver made with a SN of S1341xx.
S103,000 – S139,999……Late 1954 – Early 1955 manufacture.
A collector would call it a pre-Model 27, as model numbering did not begin until about 1958. It would have been catalogued by S&W as a ".357 Magnum". It is also possible it could be a .357 "Highway Patrolman" (pre-Model 28) in which case the frame topstrap would not be checkered and the finish would not be glossy. The Highway Patrolman can be thought of as the economy version of the .357 Magnum. It almost certainly has a five-screw frame. The upper sideplate screw was omitted from N-frames at about SN S172xxx.

 

[boydjay]

an update on the 357 magnum

Finally...I got held up in the quest for moose.
With my able wife's assistance I have added some photo's. The serial number does have that S prefix, otherwise same. I have now noted the left grip has a small chip of wood missing. The grips have no numbers or other penned on them. A little bluing missing near barrel's end. I took two shots at about 20 yards. 1st 2 " high, missed target on 2nd??? Closer inspection at back revealed both thru same hole...it does shoot very well.
To answer someone's question, I am in southern Ontario. I know prices will vary from U.S. to Canada. I would like to neither over or underprice it when I offer it for sale. My apologies for taking so long to get back to this, and thank you all. Click on the small x to view photos.

Boyd