S&W Revolver Configuration Question

[jmiles1960]

I am restoring a first year production Highway Patrolman revolver. The previous owner removed and replaced the original barrel with a model 27 barrel with Patridge style front sight.

I have found both 4 and 6 inch correct era "Lazy &" barrels for this revolver but do not know which the gun came with from the factory. Is the only way to confirm this is to buy a Historical Letter?

I am just looking for this one piece of info: original barrel length.

Serial number is: S 113281. The gun shows a fair amount of wear and I am not sure the cost of letter will add any value to the finished project. I am just trying to put it back together right.

Thanks for the help and advice.

 

[StrawHat]

That is the only way to be positive how it shipped.

Since you have both barrels, a coin toss might satisfy you.

Is the original owner still available to ask?

Personally, I prefer the 4” length.

Kevin

 

[Ol' Drover]

If it helps any, I have one close to yours (S118141) that shipped to the Strauss Frank Co. in San Antonio Sept. 13, 1954.

It is a 4" and it shipped in a 55-gun order. Fifty were 4", only 5 were 6".

I would letter it if it were mine, otherwise, I would go with the 4" barrel.

 

[jmiles1960]

Thanks Kevin. My gut is telling me to put the 4 on it too. Why else would someone have swapped the barrel in the first place? Unfortunately, the original owner is not accessible.

The urge to be absolutely correct points me towards buying the letter. We'll see... going to sleep on it a few more nights.

Jim

 

[Alk8944]

A letter is the only way to know for sure since it is possible that even SNs on either side of yours could have a different barrel length than your gun did, so the configuration of even consecutive numbers could be different.

The only real value of a letter is to you. Unless it reveals information regarding why the gun would be of special interest it really has no effect on the guns value.

In your case, if knowing what barrel was originally in the gun is really important to you for any reason then buy the letter. Otherwise, since you have both a 4" and 6" I would go with the one I prefer or the one which best matches the finish still on the frame. I wouldn't want the barrel to be an obvious mis-match.

 

[ken158]

Your gun and your hundred bucks to get a letter. Since the gun has wear and you do not know the factory barrel length, you can make it what you want since any collector value is long gone… The 4” was a much more popular length and both shoot well.

 

[Doc44]

Put on the 4-inch barrel. You won't be disappointed.

Bill

 

[Shotguncoach]

The obvious answer is "get both".

Since you have (or have access to) both barrels, shop around until you find another gun in a condition you like at a price you can afford, and then put the other size barrel on your frame. You'll end up with a pair and a big smile.

 

[usedkid]

Heed the advice to put the 4" on...

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Like Bill said a 4" is what you want. It should be the one with the lazy ampersand.

 

[Truckman]

Two very qualified hints for the 4"...Need any more be said?......Ben