New member & need help with identification

[STG44]

Mainly a skeet shooter and not very knowledgeable about S&W revolvers. When I turned legal age many decades ago I bought a 4" Model 19 that I still have and shoot a few times a year. A few years later bought a used Model 29, pinned and recessed, Dirty Harry copy in a presentation case all in immaculate condition. Needed money and sold it to a buddy who won't sell it back.

Recently an elderly gentleman I shoot skeet with showed me his revolver and wondered if I could help him find out more about it. He bought many decades ago at an estate sale, but is now perplexed as it has no model no on it.

As to the particulars.
6.5" bbl,
Smith and Wesson .357 magnum written on right side of barrel
Under yoke, the frame is stamped with an "S"
Adjustable rear site
Checkering on top of frame and barrel
Serial no. on bottom of frame, under grips reads "S 1369XX"
Mainspring tension screw on front of grip frame, under grips
It appears somebody along the way added a clamp on device to the trigger to make it wider
There is a little window cut out in the front of the two grip halves. It does not align with the tension screw

Attempting to add pictures (please bear with me - first time).



Thanks for bearing with me on this post and for information you might have.

 

[DARE]

S&W added model numbers in 1957. Before that revolvers had names. The gun you show was called the .357 Magnum. It later became the Model 27. After WWII the S was added to the serial number. My guess would be mid 50s for this gun. Don't have my books with me to narrow down the date. The grips are either not S&W or have been modified. The device on the trigger is called a trigger shoe.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Nice looking Pre-Model 27. Guns with serials near it were shipping in July 1955.

 

[Truckman]

Welcome...David gave you the same information I could have, just sooner!...With a serial number provided, someone might narrow down a shipping date estimate for you......Ben

 

[Model19man]

Smith did not ship in serial number order so the only way to figure out the accurate ship date would be to have a factory letter. Still David's information is as close as you can get and fairly accurate.

 

[Baxter6551]

Welcome to a great Forum ! Beautiful revolver. Recommend to him that he remove the trigger shoe and grips to check for rust underneath and wipe down.

 

[glowe]

Welcome! That serial number was likely shipped from the factory in 1955 or 1956.

 

[STG44]

Thanks everyone for the information. I'll pass it on to my buddy after I clean it and hand it back to him. I was pleased to see when I had the grips off to check the serial no. there was no rust.

Spent some time nosing around on these forums last night. I know I am going to enjoy this community.