Info please on S&W M57

J

J. Parker

New member
Picked up a S&W model 57 yesterday. There's no "dash" number and the serial # is N390XXX. I wonder if someone might be able to date the revolver for me?
It's got a 4" barrel and "gold" lettering. Did the factory do this gold lettering? It's also got a pinned barrel and recessed cylinders.
One more question if I may. Is the durability on these M57/58's better than the Model 29?
Any thoughts on the S&W model 57 will be most appreciated. Best regards, John
 
Durability should be about the same with full-bore magnum, as the pressures generated by the two cartridges is roughly similar.

The no dash was made from 1964 or so up until about 1968-70, I think. (My books are at home, I'm at the office).

The gold lettering could be factory. Hard to say.
 
Greeting's Mr. Parker My Friend-

My first big bore handgun purchase was a NIB model 57,
somewhere around the summer of 1970. What a beauty,
complete with the velvet-lined, mahogany box and tools.
Price? A cool $175.00 + 8% sales tax. Serial? S3194XX
Also, this was my first caliber to handload for. Buying
a R.C.B.S. Jr. Press and equipment; using Sierra's 170
grain JHC and Winchester-Western 630P ball powder
at the advertised velocity of 1300 fps. What a fine
piece of craftsmanship, as fit and finish (deep blue)
were perfect. After playing with it for a few year's,
I traded with a friend for a used, nickel Smith & Wesson
4" model 29 with an "S" prefix serial number. If I had
it to do over, I would not have made the trade. Enjoy-

Your Friend,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Thanks everyone for your responses. The piece is not perfect but it sure is beautiful. The bluing is excellent with some holster wear at the muzzle. Came with the presentation box which is in surprisingly good shape. Original warr card, owners manual, etc.
Apparently it was a working gun up in Alaska for awhile. I use my guns so a "working gun" is fine with me.:D
While he was in Alaska he had a gunsmith work on the trigger. WOW. It's as smooth as budda. While the smith was at it he "jeweled" the hammer and the trigger. Nice touch.
Well, I'm happy as a pig in slop. Wifey and I were playin' around with our digital camera so when I figure how to post some pics I'll do so. Best, John
 
57 vs 29.....
57 should be slightly more problem resistant. Yes, SAAMI max peak pressures are similar with the .41 being slightly lower. And acting against a slightly smaller area, hence lower total pressure applied to the gun. But you also have, with a given barrel length, more mass per unit of force involved.

Probably neglible but the .41 should be a tad more durable.

Field experience indicates that the 57 is a tank. A fun tank.

Sam
 
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