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Old school self defense handguns

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May 11, 2023, 11:30 AM
Malysh
Old school self defense handguns
S&W The 357 Magnum, Model of 1950, mfg. in 1950







This message has been edited. Last edited by: Malysh, May 12, 2023 12:09 PM
May 11, 2023, 11:40 AM
parabellum
I've got one just like it- S77016, shipped in 1950. Mine came with a Heiser brown snap, flap holster.


May 11, 2023, 11:58 AM
Malysh
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.


May 11, 2023, 12:00 PM
Ogie
Very nice!
May 11, 2023, 12:15 PM
Rey HRH
Nice looking revolvers. All shiny and stuff.

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



"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.
May 11, 2023, 12:20 PM
Malysh
Not chrome, nickel finish.
May 11, 2023, 12:32 PM
Genorogers
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.
May 11, 2023, 12:47 PM
radioman
I always thought the elongated '&' symbol was cool looking on these old revolvers.


.
May 11, 2023, 12:48 PM
BigSwede
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



May 11, 2023, 12:50 PM
BigSwede




May 11, 2023, 05:26 PM
KML
A.J Simon carried a S&W 66
May 11, 2023, 07:08 PM
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.






"The sea was angry that day, my friends - like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli." - George Costanza
May 11, 2023, 07:21 PM
maxwayne
It is not a "Model of 1950". It is a pre-27 that was shipped in 1950.
May 11, 2023, 07:36 PM
parabellum
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.
May 11, 2023, 07:57 PM
Malysh
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"
May 11, 2023, 08:01 PM
Malysh
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.
May 11, 2023, 08:04 PM
parabellum
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.
May 11, 2023, 08:19 PM
Malysh
Absolutely.
May 11, 2023, 09:00 PM
cslinger
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.


Take Care, Shoot Safe,
Chris
May 11, 2023, 09:02 PM
Malysh
I need to apologize.I should have posted this thread in the lounge as it isn't a SIG pistol!