S&W The 357 Magnum, Model of 1950, mfg. in 1950

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Malysh,

I've got one just like it- S77016, shipped in 1950. Mine came with a Heiser brown snap, flap holster.

That's a fine example. We seem to have similar tastes in old revolvers.

The holster I posted is also a Heiser, model 457 made for the 3 1/2" bbl. version.

I also have the correct sight adjustment tool (aka sight screwdriver) and cleaning tools. The prices these S.A.T.s command it unbelievable.

Very nice!

Nice looking revolvers. All shiny and stuff.

Being that it's from the 1950, is that the original chrome?

Not chrome, nickel finish.

quote:

Originally posted by Malysh:
Not chrome, nickel finish.

I had a bright nickel and foolishly sold it to buy something stupid like an engagement ring 55 years ago.

I always thought the elongated '&' symbol was cool looking on these old revolvers.

BEAUTIFUL! When I was a kid watching Simon & Simon, one of the characters would unholster what I believe is the same gun, I was in awe then as well

A.J Simon carried a S&W 66

Things of beauty, indeed, those pre-27s!

Mine is a ‘70s-vintage blued 27-2 that travels with me out and about from time to time.

It is not a "Model of 1950". It is a pre-27 that was shipped in 1950.

Well, it's called a pre-27 retroactively, since at the time his revolver was produced, the designation of 'Model 27' was seven years in the future. Technically, these revolvers made between 1935 and 1957 are called the Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum Revolver.

quote:

Originally posted by maxwayne:
It is not a "Model of 1950". It is a pre-27 that was shipped in 1950.

S&W historian, Roy Jinks references these revolvers as the 357 Magnum, Model of 1950 on page 214 of his book History of Smith and Wesson. Timothy Mullin, author of the book Magnum (Collector Grade Pub.) also refers to this model the same way.
To be fair, even Jinks often calls them Pre Models ( as referenced in my letter). The term is more often used, but it didn't help that S&W instruction pamphlets for many years after the introduction of model numbers in 1957 show both the name of the model and the model number across the top IE: The Chiefs Special, Model 36.

I feel they should have dropped the names off the printed literature provided with each new gun after 1957. It has added to tons of confusion over the decades. It's their fault! Look at any old S&W instruction sheet and you'll see.

When the S&W revolver is "pre 1957" I prefer to call them by the name, not "Pre Model"

quote:

Originally posted by TheFrontRange:
Things of beauty, indeed, those pre-27s!

Mine is a ‘70s-vintage blued 27-2 that travels with me out and about from time to time.

Very nice Sparks leather, too. I have a bunch of their holsters for various guns. I also favor Greg Kramer leather. No kydex for me.

Yes, the designation "Model of 1950, Hand Ejector" indicated a post-WWII standardization. As many of you know, the period between 1946 and 1950 saw S&W returning to civilain production, with some post-war revolvers using pre-war parts. For example, the cylinder latch on my revolver and yours- that's a pre-war part. You can see the difference in shape between those parts on these revolvers and TheFrontRange's example.

Also, the barrel on your revolver and mine- that's a pre-war part.

Absolutely.

Love a good revolver. All of these are gorgeous and I personally would not feel under gunned with any of them.

I submit if you are a gun owner for ANY reason beyond purely a self defense tool do yourself a favor and pick up a nice revolver and slow things down a bit and savior the shooting and owning experience.

I need to apologize.I should have posted this thread in the lounge as it isn't a SIG pistol!