Model 581 or 586

[neohio44122]

My grandfather past away and left me his gun collection(7 revolvers, 5 pistols, 4 rifles). One of them is a S&W 357. The gun is blue with fixed sights it has a stamp MOD 586 but the manual says 581. I called S&W they said it is a 581 but why would the stamp on the gun say 586? Did they make any of the 586 with fixed sights?

The gun is in great shape, my grandmother told me he only shot the gun once.

 

[murphydog]

It was probably mis-stamped at the factory, they are built on the same frame. If you post a partial serial number (ABC 12xx) we can tell you when it left the factory. Nice gun.

 

[MERV5-5505]

First off: Sorry for your family's loss. Secondly: Welcome to the S&W Forum. Seems your Grand-dad had the foresight to keep the guns in the family, (a good thing indeed.) I agree with posted information, it is a model mis-stamp, which makes it all the more cool.
It is definitely a 581. Those fixed sight variants are so very cool, and being pre-locks, all the more. My only advice would be to think hard before selling any of the firearms your Grandfather left you. Of course they are yours to do with as you wish, but there's no going back once they are sold & gone. Use them in good health.

 

[jpwhel]

Welcome to the forum, feel free to ask any question that comes to mind. As previously responded to the fixed sight designates the 581 and it is rare but not that unusual to have a mis-stamped gun. The no dash and -1 58x and 68x guns sometimes can have an issue with handling some .357 magnum ammo, do a search of this forum and there are plenty of posts. See if yours has the M stamp above the Mod number.

The guns that I treasure the most are the ones I inherited from my grandfather, father and father-in-law. They are also the ones I will never part with, they will pass at some point to my grandkids.

Happy shooting.

 

[neohio44122]

Some pictures

I'm not going to sell any of them. He had two Browning 9 mm and I already have one so I'm giving one to my son for graduation present, he always liked mine. He currently at Parris Island and graduates Nov 12th.

The serial number for the 581 is AHJ53xx, it has no dash. There was also an S&W snub nose 38. the box says .38 Chiefs Special Airweight Model 37. Looks like it never been shot. Serial number J887xx. Can you tell me when that was made?

The most interesting riffle he left me was a Remington Canadian Centennial Wood Master 742, made in 1967. It looks brand new.

 

[neohio44122]

bump bump bump

 

[murphydog]

Your 581 was probably shipped in early 1985, and the model 37 in late 1970.

 

[WVfishguy]

S&W 581s are hard to come by, and among the best revolvers ever made. My wife has been bugging me for years to get one. The "no-dash" makes it even more special.
If the 581, the Air Weight and the Hi-Power are any indication (and they are), your grandfather had great taste in guns!
I'm truly sorry for your loss. I hope he had the opportunity to pass on some of his knowledge.
It's none of my business, so I'll understand if you don't want to say - but how old was your grandfather when he passed on?
By the way - God bless you for not selling his collection. Few other people would make the same decision.

 

[kscardsfan]

You're going to love that model 581. It's one of the neatest smith revolvers ever made, and I am currently on the hunt for a model 681 to match it

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Here is the old one from the back of the truck: