Not Sure About This .357 Magnum?

S 158701 would date shipment as probably around mid-1955. I list S1588xx as shipping in 10/55 (also a pre-Model 27). Along with everyone else, and as I originally said, $1K is a good price. If you can afford it grab your wallet Monday AM. If it's not already gone.
 
The shop owner have very good friendship; as we are both "brothers-in-arms". He is a Marine Vietnam Vet and I Airman Gulf War & OIF/OEF Vet.

However, I will heed everyone's advice and at least secure my hold with a monetary deposit, in the morning....as, believe someone may be booking a flight as I type.

Thanks again, a Great Forum!!!
 
I would call the shop and leave a message on the answering machine if they have one that you will take it,and arrive at the shop 20 minutes before it opens. If for some reason you decide not to buy let this fellow Arizona resident know where it is!
 
There is no way I'd even think of passing on a pre model 27 in that condition for $1000, buy it fast before someone else does


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You mentioned before that you were told that it is a Pre-27. That is also correct. In 1957 (or so) they started giving out model numbers. One like yours would have been called a Model 27.
 
Hey AZBonecrusher, I'm in Yavapai county. Do me a favor and send me the address of the gun shop so I can put it in my GPS tonight and I can be there before he opens in the morning. I don't mind driving a hundred miles to pick up a "pre" in that condition with the box at that price.
You won't regret it, Monte
 
I hope you get that beauty this morning. I think I would have been camped out on the shop owners front stoop....probably all weekend.
 
Rear sight checkering

Should this vintage .357 (pre-27) have a checkered rear sight? The rear sight on this .357 appears to not be checkered. I have read that the pre-war .357 did not have a checkered rear sight. If so, this particular specimen likely has a pre-war rear sight that hid in the parts bin for a few years. Just wondering about the rear sight - and my eyesight.
 
Nesmith said:
Should this vintage .357 (pre-27) have a checkered rear sight? The rear sight on this .357 appears to not be checkered. I have read that the pre-war .357 did not have a checkered rear sight. If so, this particular specimen likely has a pre-war rear sight that hid in the parts bin for a few years. Just wondering about the rear sight - and my eyesight.
Click to expand...

Yes, it should have a checkered rear sight. It appears to be wearing a replacement from another N frame. The M28 rear sight is smooth.
 
Additional reading leads me to think that the pre-war .357 had the smooth, high-polish, contoured rear sight leaf. There are also references to these sight leaves being narrower than the post-war rear sight leaves, whether grooved or checkered. Sorry to drag everyone along my slow learning curve.

From earlier learning sessions, it is quite likely that this .357 made it out the factory door with a grooved instead of checkered rear sight for a number of possible reasons.
 
Don't fail to purchase this handgun this morning! That is a treasure and is not to be passed up. When you get it home remove the stocks (grips) and check for a serial number on one of them.

I would have a competent armorer/gunsmith remove the side plate for a cleaning and lubrication along with the usual armorer's check. If you can do that without scratches or buggering the screw heads ..... have at it.

We would really like to see more pictures...........
 
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