Hi all, I have this S&W .357mag, also called pre 27 4inch in mint condition serial #S115481. I am trying to find out when is was built, and what is worth. I am going though my guns and trying to find where all my money went the last 30 years. Thank you all in avance. Frank McClelland
S&W pre 27???
by Wildcat, Flint Hills of Kansas, Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 17:49 (3781 days ago) @ Fivegunner
edited by Wildcat, Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 17:53
Head over to the S&W forum at http://smith-wessonforum.com/forum.php and you'll get an answer fast. I'm at the office and don't have my book with manufacture dates here.
Approximately 1954 (NM).
by Murphy , Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 18:09 (3781 days ago) @ Fivegunner
NM
Murphy
You may want to measure that barrel again
by cubrock, Wednesday, July 23, 2014, 20:52 (3781 days ago) @ Fivegunner
It shouldn't be 4" from that vintage. Might be a factory 3.5" or 5" or something cut down. Or, it could have been rebarreled with a factory 4" barrel, which they introduced in the last couple or three years of -2 production (very late 70s to very early 80s). It should have a serial number in the ejector rod cutout that should match the serial number on the butt.
It could be a $300 gun or a $1500 gun. All depends on configuration and condition.
You may want to measure that barrel again
by Fivegunner , LOWELL Mi., Thursday, July 24, 2014, 16:21 (3780 days ago) @ cubrock
I measured again face of cylinder to end of barrel = 4 inches . the serial # are all the same, inside of ejector housing, back of cylinder ,butt of gun and the grips . this is realy a nice clean Smith that I bought about 5 years ago from a Ace Hardware store. I am going to buy a camera this weekend so I can post so pictures.
You either have a cut barrel or something super rare
by cubrock, Thursday, July 24, 2014, 16:32 (3780 days ago) @ Fivegunner
Can you post clear pics of the barrel, especially of the left side? I'm not aware that S&W even offered a 4" special order in that time period. It is most likely the barrel has been cut to 4", but if it is factory original, that is worthy of a factory letter and is a pretty rare bird.
Perhaps it is a 3.5"??? (Picture included)
by Murphy , Friday, July 25, 2014, 00:00 (3780 days ago) @ Fivegunner
I did an image search and found this. It's described as a 3 1/2" barreled gun made in 1954.
Murphy
Perhaps it is a 3.5"??? (Picture included)
by Catoosa, Friday, July 25, 2014, 09:29 (3780 days ago) @ Murphy
I have always thought a 3 1/2 inch 27 was one of the most "businesslike" handguns ever made.
Perhaps it is a 3.5"??? (Picture included)
by Fivegunner , LOWELL Mi., Saturday, July 26, 2014, 06:52 (3779 days ago) @ Catoosa
I want to thank you all for your help.