question on pre 27 3.5" pinto "Pics added"

[Evil One]

I stopped in at a small gun shop today and was surprised to see a .357 pinto.
It had different numbers on the crane/ frame and the barrel/cyl.
Barrel and cyl had S1508XX. The frame crane had 651XX.
I have some cell phone pics I can post later.
Is this numbering normal?


Jim

 

[jeremyws1]

You should find a matching serial number in these places:

- on the butt
- on the face of the cylinder
- in the ejector rod housing
- on the underside of the ejector star
- on the crane (look through a chamber to see the serial number)

The other numbers are assembly numbers. I hope that helps.

 

[Evil One]

Assuming it is real and in 90%+ shape, what would appx value be?


Jim

 

[Evil One]

Here are the cellphone pics.
Look at the recoil shield, looks like it has almost never been fired.

Jim

 

[jeremyws1]

I think it is genuine. If so, it is worth 2 to 2.25 times as much as the same gun with just a blue finish. If you don't buy it, I will.

 

[jeremyws1]

Also, do you mind private messaging me the full serial number for my database?

 

[Doc44]

The two-tone looks correct to me. I believe there is an N stamped in the ejector rod shroud and there should be a B stamped on the lower left corner of the grip frame. These stampings would confirm a nickel barrel (and cylinder) and a bright blue frame. The blue extractor rod is also correct up until the late 50s.

Bill

 

[Evil One]

PM sent.


Jim

 

[4-Screw]

That gun is beautiful....Evil One, did you pass it along to Jeremy yet? He will preserve that gun and cherish it until the day he meets Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson in the sky. If you did pass along to him, you are a good man. I hope it goes to a good home.

 

[lowhog]

Whats with the small trade mark on the left side?Is this correct?

 

[SigKev]

Trademark

Yes, I noticed that as well. This is an interesting revolver. And I agree with 4-screw... Jeremy would love this thing well.

 

[Evil One]

That gun is beautiful....Evil One, did you pass it along to Jeremy yet? He will preserve that gun and cherish it until the day he meets Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson in the sky. If you did pass along to him, you are a good man. I hope it goes to a good home.

We have been speaking about it since it was first posted.



Jim

 

[Evil One]

Whats with the small trade mark on the left side?Is this correct?

And no trademark on the other side?


Jim

 

[jeremyws1]

The small left side logo is correct. Special guns (engraved, two-tone, etc.) usually stay cased with the right side down, so S&W probably decided to stamp at least some of them on the left side. Some standard production models have left side logos, but I've heard that is due to a manufacturing/production issue.

 

[Evil One]

Jeremy is a wealth of info, in the few minutes I spoke with him... I learned more than I would have in a full day of searching on the forum.
Trust me... I have been searching the forum on this topic.


Jim

 

[4-Screw]

Yes he is very knowledgeable....he knows his Smiths and his Pintos very well. You picked the right person to discuss this gun with.

Surprisingly, he can talk your ear off about ballet as well. He is very well-rounded.

 

[Evil One]

I can talk firearms all day long...
But talking ballet with me would be about like discussing philosophy with a pig.


Jim

 

[jeremyws1]

Yes he is very knowledgeable....he knows his Smiths and his Pintos very well. You picked the right person to discuss this gun with.

Surprisingly, he can talk your ear off about ballet as well. He is very well-rounded.

I obviously have y'all fooled.

Ballet...I can't stop laughing.

 

[lonegunman762x51]

So did you buy it? Are you going to buy it? or maybe tell us where it is hiding. ;-)

 

[Doc44]

I believe the small S&W logo was roll marked on the left side of the frame on engraved and special revolvers (two-tones, for example) because S&W wanted the side plate available for engraving or inscriptions and they did not want the larger logo on the side plate to "get in the way". These revolvers (at least through the 50s) were never cased that I know of, so the logo placement had nothing to do with that.

The logo on the 44 Magnum was originally planned to be placed on the left side of the frame, but only the prototype and a few engraved guns turned out that way.

Bill