Can anyone help me ID this Smith?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Can anyone help me ID this Smith?

Posted: 8/25/2023 9:25:40 PM EDT

Local shop got this Smith & Wesson 357 in the other day. Owner hadn't figured out a model yet so I am trying to help him. I believe it is a Model 27 or 28 based on serial prefix and the adjustable sight.

Attached File

Posted: 8/25/2023 10:40:34 PM EDT

[#1]

Checkered top strap means Mod 27. Looks like a 5 inch. Nice revolver.

ETA looks like a 5 screw. Lazy ampersand and diamond targets. Probably a Pre-27.

Posted: 8/25/2023 11:19:02 PM EDT

[#2]

Before model number it was simply known as the 357 magnum. This was built at a time the heavy N frame was the only 357 in the S&W line, and considered a premium gun parallel to the python.

While some collectors hate the term it would be commonly referred to as a pre 27.

Nice gun swag of early 1950’s production

If the diamond target grips are serialized to the gun, that would be a big plus.

A $1500-2000 dollar gun

Posted: 8/25/2023 11:21:26 PM EDT

[#3]

Before model number it was simply known as the 357 magnum. This was built at a time the heavy N frame was the only 357 in the S&W line, and considered a premium gun parallel to the python.

While some collectors hate the term it would be commonly referred to as a pre 27.

Nice gun swag of early 1950’s production

If the diamond target grips are serialized to the gun, that would be a big plus.

A $1500-2000 dollar gun

Posted: 8/26/2023 4:54:05 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Before model number it was simply known as the 357 magnum. This was built at a time the heavy N frame was the only 357 in the S&W line, and considered a premium gun parallel to the python.

While some collectors hate the term it would be commonly referred to as a pre 27.

Nice gun swag of early 1950’s production

If the diamond target grips are serialized to the gun, that would be a big plus.

A $1500-2000 dollar gun

View Quote

This is IMHO dead on.

Posted: 8/27/2023 1:46:13 AM EDT

[#5]

It's pretty much the scoop, but while service and magna grips should have the S/N on the inside of one of the panels, often targets did not. Non-relieved N frame targets are pretty rare and did not ship on many guns at all, particularly the ramp sighted ones. Unless the S/N really is on a grip panel, only a factory letter will tell the story.

Posted: 8/28/2023 5:03:33 PM EDT

[#6]

Were the pre-27 models also known as "Registered" models? Or was that a different run?

Posted: 8/28/2023 5:51:41 PM EDT

[#7]

I wonder if that was someone's duty gun judging from the holster wear. Are there any markings on the crane?

Posted: 8/28/2023 8:39:37 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
Were the pre-27 models also known as "Registered" models? Or was that a different run?

View Quote

The very first ones made in the early 1930’s were registered, meaning there was a number in the yoke cut for example Reg. 1234
I don’t recall the cut off but it was before WWII when they discontinued that.

Posted: 9/1/2023 10:53:24 AM EDT

[#9]

Based on the serial number, your handgun was built in late 1956.

Posted: 9/2/2023 8:41:08 AM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:

The very first ones made in the early 1930’s were registered, meaning there was a number in the yoke cut for example Reg. 1234
I don’t recall the cut off but it was before WWII when they discontinued that.

View Quote

Yes it stopped in the late 1930s. The .357s made from that point until WWII are (somewhat confusingly) referred to as Non-Registered Magnums by collectors. After production started back up after the war, those .357s often incorporated a mix of old and new parts/configurations and are usually called Transitional models by collectors. Soon enough they all had the same general features and were just S&W .357 Magnums. They weren't marked as Model 27s until 1958.

The OP has a S&W .357 Magnum with a 5" barrel or, if you want to get all collector-y, a pre-27.