S&W M 51

[vonmazur]

Fellow Collectors: This has walked into the store where I work. I hate to admit it, but I know nothing about this model, or even when it was made. Most of the original finish is intact, there seems to be wear on the grips, which match by number. The bore and charge holes are almost new, and the revolver seems to have sat somewhere for a long time. It came from an estate, and they just wanted it out of the house...I have never seen one before this example. Any information would be appreciated.

Dale in Alabama

 

[IWK2HT]

Nice revolver, it’s basically a model 34 but in 22 magnum.
Introduced in about 1960.

 

[murphydog]

It’s a .22 Magnum Kit Gun, probably produced in 1972. They tend to go for a premium than the .22 LR model 34, perhaps 1/3 to 1/2 more.

 

[H Richard]

The Mod 51 was introduced in 1960 and discontinued in 1974. It is a desirable collectors item and carries a reasonable value. SCSW4 says: ANIB 1200; Exc 850; VG 650; Good 475; Fair 350. Your s/n would have been shipped in the 73 vicinity. It was normally in the Sq Butt configuration, but 600 were produced in the Rd Butt configuration and worth maybe double the Sq Butt value. From what I can tell from the pictures it looks to be in the VG to Exc condition. The gun was later re-introduced in Stainless as the 651, and was produced in two runs, 1983-1988 and again 1991-1999. They also made a fixed sight version as the Mod 650 produced 1983 - 1988.

 

[vonmazur]

Thanks folks, I will pass it on to the head honcho..

Dale