model 57 help!

[trauma1]

OK. bought myself a little Christmas gift - Model 57 with 4 1/5in barrel. pinned, recessed cylinder, ?oversized latch, hogue grips. Has a couple of dings on the cylinder but nothing major. Smooth as glass action, crisp and LIGHT single action. All this greatness for $475. Here are my questions: (yes i did try a search and am not good at those anyways so if some info is repeated i apologize in advance.)
1) Good Price?
2)SN is N6696xx - any idea on approximate date? (i do not have THE book)
3)Are the Hogue rubber grips factory or aftermarket? They are stippled in texture and I have seen other 57's with them.
4)Anyone have any smooth walnut factory grips they want to part with?

Thanks for the help.

 

[JCS&W]

Hey, welcome. I will try and help, but there are others much more knowledgeable than I here on this site.
Standard Catalog of S&W shows that serial numbers: N600000 through N699999 were shiped 1979-1980.
Houge rugger grips were not factory and are aftermarket. Probably came with Goncalo Alves target stocks with S&W medallions.
While I have some smooth stocks, I do not want to part with mine. lol
The barrel lengths on the M57 were 4", 6" and 8 3/8's", I would guess that yours is a 4". If it is a blued, M57 no dash, 4" in what you are describing as 85 to 90% condition, yes, in my area $475 is a very good price. Hope this helps.
We would love to see some pics!

 

[renroh]

Welcome to the forum. Great price anywhere I think on a Model 57. On revolvers, measure the barrel length from the end of the forcing cone to the business end of the barrel. (The forcing cone is where the bullet enters from the cylinder.) As far as some smooth walnut stocks, check the Classifieds or post in the Want to Buy section. There are lots of helpful folks here. How about some pics!

 

[trauma1]

the length is 4". typing faster than thinking(will always get you in trouble). put up a WTB post. will see. found some on an America Gun site (no free props) for $150. a little steep for me. At or under $100 seems fine. thanks for the info. about the pics, not good at that either. Tried to sell a car once and somehow managed to get pics of my dog on there. Good dog but not for $5000.00

 

[Ron Roehrick]

I think you did very good at that price. I just paid $800.00 for am 8 3/8Model 57 no dash "pinned and recessed in 98% condition.It has target hammer, target trigger, target sights, with no box. It is 98%, maybe I paid to much?

 

[trauma1]

don't know. mine has all the same except 4" barrel and spot on cylinder. This one has definitely been used and carried but the important parts are intact and excellent. I would grade at 90% based on the Blue Book definition, but like someone else said, that is very subjective. NIB or Used is about the best anyone can say for sure.

 

[bananaman]

trauma, I don't know much about this model, but I would jump on a 57 at that price myself! If you can't find grips here, check ebay. I have bought 4 nice sets there. Enjoy your new gun. Bob

 

[RIKMAN]

That is a great deal...m57's around here are $800 plus. I bought a nice model 15 at my local shop and found a nice set of target grips on gunbroker.

 

[mkk41]

Seeing's how I don't have a blued 4in. in my small collection of shooter-grade Model 57s, I'da been on that like a duck on a junebug.