Model 57 nickel pinned and recessed

[scarfer]

Hello all. This is my first post I've been reading on and off for years and enjoy the forum.
I just saw a nickel model 57 with a six inch barrel for sale. The barrel is pinned and recessed. I forgot to look at the dash number. Owner said it is unfired and appears so. It Has the presentation case, cleaning kit, unopened but not the paperwork. I was wondering if someone could give me a value on this gun
Thanks
Robert

 

[rjm6120]

Pinned barrel and recessed cylinder chambers would be a model 57 no dash. If everything as indeed as you described, that package would fetch at least $1,400.00(+), in my area anyway. This is providing the presentation case is in as great a condition as the gun is.

 

[scarfer]

Thanks for your reply. The case is in good condition also

 

[tlawler]

Welcome to the forum. If it's pinned and recessed, it will be a no dash# gun. I saw a Nickel Model 57 6" from around 1970 in the condition you describe and with presentation case, tools, and paperwork at a gun show this weekend down here in Southwest Florida with a $1550 asking price.

 

[BigMuddy]

If it has "Coke Bottle" grips I would add more to that figure. At least $400 more.

Dan

 

[Hair Trigger]

I'd concur with $1400 as a decent price for a M57 with all the stuff you mention, but if it happens to be an "S" prefix serial number, add 10-15% to that. M57's were made from 1964-1982, and early ones ('64-68) bring more.

 

[Pizza Bob]

Here's my 57 ND with "Cokes"...

...for comparison.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[scarfer]

It was at a gun show. I.left,thought about it and went back to get it. He had already packed up.and left. Oh well. Maybe I will catch time later. Thanks for all the replys

 

[The Mighty S&W]

Value is going to differ based upon region. Generally speaking though, I'd say that $1,400.00 is a fairly conservative estimate for what you describe, assuming the condition is as good as I imagine based upon your description. For reference, I picked up a very near mint condition 6 inch Model 57-2 with blued finish back in December, and felt very fortunate to get it at $1,100.00. The gun you're describing has some things going for it that I feel would increase its desirability as a collectible. It's nickel finished, it's a no dash gun. It's pinned and recessed. I think a patient seller could expect $1650.00 for that gun in my area.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum, scarfer. You didn't mention the price that the seller had on that Model 57. Did you notice what he was asking? I paid $1200 OTD late last year for this minty 1980 4" nickel Model 57...just the revolver (I've had the presentation case sitting around for years). Although the 6" revolvers are perhaps a little less desirable than the 4", nickel usually brings a slight premium, so I think that Model 57 package is easily worth $1400. With any luck, you can catch up with that seller at the next show and pick up a very nice revolver.

 

[scarfer]

Yes. He had $1900 on the gun. He also had an unfired 4" blue 57. He came down to $1600. I guess I thought about it too long. I was also surprised he had already left when I went back. Ill try and catch up with him again

Thanks for all the replys

 

[scarfer]

Oh and Hawg Rider,you got a deal.

 

[bmcgilvray]

A Model 57 is one fine revolver and cartridge combination!

I've not kept up with pricing however. Prices now days begins to sound like Monopoly money.

Picked up one made in 1975 in about 2011. Wish I'd had to foresight to go the .41 Magnum route 30 years before.

You don't have to tell my Model 29-2 that I bought new in 1980 that I said that.

 

[SS57]

I had the foresight 43 yrs ago when I picked up my six inch 57, wooden case and all. Grabbed a 19-4, four inch while I was at it. I made a couple of good decisions in my younger days.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I had the foresight 43 yrs ago when I picked up my six inch 57, wooden case and all. Grabbed a 19-4, four inch while I was at it. I made a couple of good decisions in my younger days.

My first purchase of a S&W revolver was back in 1979, soon after I got out of college and had real job! It was during the "Dirty Harry" craze, and since Model 29s were as scarce as hen's teeth, I settled on a brand spankin' new 4" blued Model 57 with the presentation case. I really liked the .41 Magnum, and did a lot of reloading. Unfortunately that revolver was stolen the following year when my apartment was burglarized- all they left me was the mahogany presentation case. Anyway, the 4" nickel Model 57 shown above finally replaced the one that was stolen, and it has inherited the presentation case. I don't know why it took me so long to get another .41 Magnum.

 

[colt_saa]

Robert,
Welcome to the Forum

It was the unintentional purchase of a pinned and recessed, 6" nickel Model 57 that started me down the 41 Magnum rabbit hole more than 40 years ago.

One day at work a associate of mine came to me during our lunch break with a large cardboard box. He showed me the NEW Smith and Wesson he had purchased less than 3 weeks earlier. He had several boxes of ammunition with him.

He told me that he needed cash fast since his wife had hit him with divorce papers that morning. He asked if I could give him $250 for everything so he could retain his lawyer.

I gave him the cash

At the time I had never heard of a 41 Magnum and certainly was not hand loading for it. My intent was to sell it off at the next gun show and recoup my money.

However since it had ammunition with it I thought I would at least give this strange revolver and cartridge a try.

My first shot was a dead solid perfect X. My second shot appeared to have missed the target compleatly as there was no additional hole in the paper. We brought the target back in only to learn that the bullet had gone through the same hole only slightly offset. Myself and my shooting buddy thought it was a fluke until I fired the third shot and still there was only a single hole in the paper forming a almost undetectible clover leaf

I was nervous at this point and pulled the fourth shot with it hitting over an inch away from the first three. Shot five landed back in with the first three just opening up the clover leaf a bit farther and my last shot was also a pull away from the initial cluster. I was shocked at how well this combination performed

That started a more than four decade love affair with the 41 Magnum

That first Model 57 is still with me. It is pictured in the lower left of this 13 year old 41 Magnum group photo. It no longer wears it;s original factory grips.

As you can see those first three decades added quite a few 41s to the stable. Many more have joined them in the past decade.

If you get the chance to acquire one or both of those revolver do not hesitate. Even if you think that you are paying $50 or $100 or whatever too much, realize those are seldom seen and almost never in the condition you describe

 

[scarfer]

Colt saa

Very nice collection.
Ill be more prepared the next time