Smith and Wesson 357 magnum??

E

Earlc

Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2013
Messages
11
Reaction score
6
Location
Millsboro, Delaware
40 plus years ago when I was on the police force, we were allowed to carry our personal revolver if we desired. At the time I owned and carried a 357 magnum with what I call ( for the lack of knowledge the correct name ) two piece grips. With the police salary at the time being far less then desirable requiring at least one part time job and some times multiple part time jobs, money was to say the least in short supply. A little trick that a lot of us did to make our weapons look even sharper without costing anything was to trace the outline of each of the grips on the white plastic off of a Clorox bottle, carefully trim it out and use it as a spacer behind each grip, this served to first of all, make a fatter, more comfortable grip, and secondly, the white outline inside of each grip actually looked pretty good, at least it did to us then. My question is this, since I eventually had to find a job that paid real money ( I had a young family at the time ) I also sold that pistol to raise needed funds, now that I have quite a collection of firearms, one that is missing, is a 357 with ( two separate grips ) like I carried at the time.
Any help on what the proper name or model of this 357 would be? And the present going rate?
Thanks so much for any help.
 
Register to hide this ad
Iggy said:
There was the "357 Magnum" which became the Model 27, and the "Combat Magnum" which became the Model 19 in 1957.

Todays prices will astound you.
Click to expand...

It could have been a 66 (stainless) or a 28 (like the 27, but a matte blue finish).

Today's prices are pretty crazy for great condition guns. For used but not abused guns you should do OK. Just have to find a local shop or two that has a good assortment of used guns that are priced to move (probably not a pawn shop).
 
Proper terminology?

I call it a two piece grip, but is there a proper terminology for the pistol having two separate grips, where if you look at the pistol from the bottom of the grips, the frame is visible instead of the newer models where the wood wraps around the bottom?
I have some nice Smiths including a nice 45acp cal. and I have Pythons and a huge collection of 1911s, but my collection will not be complete until I find this one that I am looking for, 43 years ago is a long time, but I remember it having between a 4.5 and a 6 inch barrel, not positive which, it was blue, and one of the nicest pistols that I remember having, I know that the Clorox thing sounds crazy, but if I find another, I will give it the same treatment. When I find S and W 357s, first thing I look at is a picture that shows the bottom of the grip and it seems that they all turn out to be wrap around with the frame covered.
 
Smith and Wesson 28-2

Thanks for your help, looks like it was a model 28-2 highway patrolman with a six inch barrel, cant believe that I didn't ask you guys sooner, now the hunt is on, looks like somewhere between $700 and $1500
 
Last edited:
Once you find the S&W .357 you want, be ready to sit down when you hear the prices.
 
I agree with one of the above posters, sounds like a 4" or 6" Highway Patrolman with Magna grips.

Did it look anything like this? I don't have mine here at the moment to take a photo of the bottom where the grip frame can be seen, but as you can see the frame meets the grips, rather than being enveloped by them.
 

Attachments

  • 20170108_102756.jpg
    20170108_102756.jpg
    82.3 KB · Views: 44
I have the 2 and half Combat 19 magnum purchased in early 70s . Had gun refinished from Blue to Nickel , outstanding gun
 
I don't think the Clorox bottle trick sounds dumb at all! Pretty clever if you ask me... I like the looks of a spacer in places like the fore end cap of a rifle, the pistol grip cap on a rifle, and like Hogue does on the bottom of their fancier grips... Bonus points for adding comfort when shooting for you. :)
 
RIDE-RED 350r said:
I don't think the Clorox bottle trick sounds dumb at all! Pretty clever if you ask me... I like the looks of a spacer in places like the fore end cap of a rifle, the pistol grip cap on a rifle, and like Hogue does on the bottom of their fancier grips... Bonus points for adding comfort when shooting for you. :)
Click to expand...
Thanks, I remember it looking very well in the holster of my unbelted, I have actually had the crazy idea of trying the same principle on one of my 1911s with walnut grips, just a little older now and don't get things done as quick :)
 
Was the top sighting surface of your .357 checkered? If so, it was Model 27. Those also had a bright blue finish. The M-28 was a plainer version, with a dull satin blue and no checkering on the top. Model 19 was smaller, about like .38 size. Model 19 usually had the longer target stocks that hide the butt of the gun. The bggier ones originally came with Magna service stocks, but about 1975, the factory added target stocks as the norm on Model 27.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top