Went to my local gunshop this AM. [Sat]. They have a real nice pre Model 27. Probabley 1947 or so. It's a 6 inch & about 95% condition but some one filed the front sight round instead of partridge style. Nice gun but priced at $1050. You guys think it's a little high?
Pre Model 27
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In 1947 I think the .357 was coming out in transitional models that still had the long action of the prewar guns -- RMs and the non-registered magnums. To my mind, that's worth a value kick. The front sight is mounted with a pin and can be replaced with a standard patridge or something else if you wish.
I don't think $1050 is too much, but 1000 is a rounder number.
I don't think $1050 is too much, but 1000 is a rounder number.
If it is truly a Post war transitional Pre 27 I would jump on it. as there were very few made in 357 magnum. Value could be in the 3-4 thousand range.
Dan
Dan
handejector
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What serial number range?
Art Doc
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Were the 357s made that soon after the war? I thought it was like 1949 before they resumed production.
handejector
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Roy's book- "History" says Dec, 48.
Mine was shipped in that month, 50 units for the state of Kansas, so I would assume the order had pretty high priority.
Art Doc
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OK, a shipment that was likely a police order in Dec of 1948 (very end of the year). So it probably was well into 1949 before any substantial numbers were being shipped for retail, no?
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Dick and charlies-
Are we talking about a LONG-action 357 with an 'S' serial number here???
Are we talking about a LONG-action 357 with an 'S' serial number here???
Art Doc
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OK. All the guns (only around 200) sold 1946-1948 were essentially pre-war guns. So it wasn't until after the redesign in 1950 that the 357s starting appearing in quantity. Gotcha.
I wonder when they started appearing? I ask because I have one shipped in Sept. of 1950 (S79600) and I am curious as how close to the beginning this one falls.
What serial range did the 200 have? Were they S prefix or just numerical like the pre-war guns?
I wonder when they started appearing? I ask because I have one shipped in Sept. of 1950 (S79600) and I am curious as how close to the beginning this one falls.
What serial range did the 200 have? Were they S prefix or just numerical like the pre-war guns?
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OP
Don't remember the SN but it does have a S prefix.
doublesharp
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Keith 44spl snagged a slick shooter grade 5" 5 digit serial number pre 27 for several hundred less than that at the last National GunDay. There's a thread in this forum that's a couple weeks old that has some good pictures. I wouldn't pay that. $1200 would have bought a 6 1/2" 98% 5 screw in the proper box at that same show and it went home with the dealer.
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Yes, the Trans 357's have an S.
The ones I've seen were in the S 71,000 range.
Roy says they started shipping in Dec, 48.
The earliest 1950 types I have seen were in the S75,000 range. I know they were shipping by Feb, 1950.
The ones I've seen were in the S 71,000 range.
Roy says they started shipping in Dec, 48.
The earliest 1950 types I have seen were in the S75,000 range. I know they were shipping by Feb, 1950.
doublesharp
Member
That's the range Kieth 44spl's gun was in. Interesting serial #. 5 digit, started with a seven and had 4 sevens in the ser #. What a poker hand. Here's a link to that thread.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...y-show-44special-pics-boot.html#post135509364
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...y-show-44special-pics-boot.html#post135509364
frankynohankypanky
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Lee,
You have stated above that your Transitional .357 was shipped Dec. 1948, as part of an order of 50 for the State of Kansas. Do you have a list of the serial no's in this shipment? I have S71667 which also shipped Dec. 1948.
In the article that Roy wrote about the Registered Magnums many years ago now (for the SWCA Journal), he gives the production figures for the .357 up to and including 1950. According to that, Nov. and Dec. 1948 were the busiest months with 80 shipped out of a total of 142 produced from 1946 to 1949.
That section in "History of Smith & Wesson" that refers to postwar production is, I think, ambiguous and I wonder if that date quoted should be Dec. 16, 1949 (rather than 1948) because Roy follows with a description of what is obviously the Model of 1950.
Regards,
Frank S. SWCA2052.
You have stated above that your Transitional .357 was shipped Dec. 1948, as part of an order of 50 for the State of Kansas. Do you have a list of the serial no's in this shipment? I have S71667 which also shipped Dec. 1948.
In the article that Roy wrote about the Registered Magnums many years ago now (for the SWCA Journal), he gives the production figures for the .357 up to and including 1950. According to that, Nov. and Dec. 1948 were the busiest months with 80 shipped out of a total of 142 produced from 1946 to 1949.
That section in "History of Smith & Wesson" that refers to postwar production is, I think, ambiguous and I wonder if that date quoted should be Dec. 16, 1949 (rather than 1948) because Roy follows with a description of what is obviously the Model of 1950.
Regards,
Frank S. SWCA2052.
Frank:
I would love to see a few photos of your transitional post war 357.
Thanks,
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