I have no desire to keep U all in suspense, just wanted to give this Thread a bit of time to mature.


First of all the S181,000...The "S" denotes N Frame Smith (Large Frame), 2nd the "S" was used up until 1969 on the N Frame Smiths then they went to using an "N" prefix...this gun is mid 1950s. Also it is known as a 4 screw, that is determnined by the serial number range,@ S171000 was the end of the 5 screw Smiths in 1955.

Second 8 3/8" Barrels on 357 mags could only be a model 27 or pre model 27. The high gloss finish also denotes model 27 as the model 28 (Highwway Patrolman...only other N Frame Smith in 357 mag) was a less deluxe revolver and had a satin finish. Also Highway Patrolman only came in 4" and 6" barrels.

The finish is ORGINAL..the gun is NOT REFINISHED...Also the smooth oversized grips were only used in the mid to late 50s.

The gun as pictured is in Excellent orginal condition...98%....the grips gave me pause as they showed what seems like a bit of wear.

Also as for value $800.00 to $950 is about right. They have gone up because the prewar Registered 357 Mags have gone through the roof.

This what I was able to determine just by looking at the picture and brief description.

Now I did buy this gun for $550, I received it and it was a beautiful gun..just as I thought 98% of orginal condition. Yeah I scored!!! it was beautiful that is until I opened the crane and looked inside, on the top of the frame (inside and not visible on the outside of the revolver) somebody electro penciled their SS #...Ouuppppsss...still not the end of the world though. Then I am looking down the barrel from the front end AND.....I notice a little ripple in the metal (only looking down the barrel in that direction is the ripple noticable at all)....AHHHHHOOOOOHHHHH....so I open the crane and look down the bore, and there is a ring in the barrel denoting a BULGED barrel. OHHH FKKKK....

In nearly 30 years of looking at guns I have only seen one or 2 bulged barrels, so this is not something that WAS high on my list of things to look for. Also I violated one of my rules in purchasing this revolver, I didn't call and have someone examine the gun while I was on the phone. I have only been burned ONE other time when I called and got an over the phone examination and ironically it was the same auctioneer. I had bought 5 other items from him over time and all turned out to be good.... Thats not a bad percntage considering I have dealt with at least 40 different auction houses nationaly and internationally over the years.

So I sent it back to the auctioneer to reauction. But I'm still screwed on this one. And this paticular auctioneer (J Garner of Ohio) has made my ***** list. I won't tell him where to get off, because there maybe something I want from him someday.


BTW: Most of those weekly find items that I showed earlier this year have found new homes.

tabdul

you know a lot about guns man.

About a month ago I sold my dad's 1866 Winchester .44 carbine. I walked into a gun show carrying it and couldn't get more than 10' without people crowding all around me, asking what I wanted for it. Trouble is I didn't know what to ask, just more than $5k and less than $10k. Since my dad had foolishly refinished the stock when he got it in college, that took away from the originality. The consensus on the gun was about $5k. Then I showed to a guy who spent almost an hour looking it over. He discovered a bulge in the barrel, which no one else, including my dad and me, had ever seen. He said there was some guy in OH who could make the gun perfect again for about $1k and then it would be worth $9k. He said it was worth $6500 as is. His friend nearby offered me that much for it and so I sold it for $6500. My dad was very happy with that, though I don't know the true value.

Rick,

If you (or anyone else) finds another one like that pls let us know first! :)

Joe

Ok. All I have left to sell is an 1860 Army repro. that my dad got around 1980. Unfired, NIB condition. Also have a modified Arisaka that I think my grandfather had bored to 30.06. The rest I'm a keepin'.

TABS - feel free to send me that SS number, I know a few hundred people here in Tejas that could put it to work...

Wait a minute. How can you get cancer from a snub-nosed 38? ;)

Serial Number on that gun as well as condition would determine price. Refinishing a stock actually DOES NOT decrease value by a great deal. Refinishing the metal does. However that rifle assuming 80% condition with a low serial # is worth apx $25,000.00 or more. With a high serial # around $10,000.00. A bulge in the barrel means less in an antique like the 1866, because the buyer is not buying it to shoot. He is buying the fact that it has American Western History attached to it. Also with an antiqe more years and use have passed so lesser condition is more acceptable. With a newer gun like the Smith I illustrated a bulge in the barrel means death as a collectable gun.

In my opinion, you should have taken the fellows number and gotten a coupla more opinions as to value. That guy was going to be more than happy to buy your gun anyday of the week. I would say ALWAYS check with an auctioneer who DEALS IN THE TYPE of item you are selling to see what he thinks it will sell for in his auction. The auctioneer wants your business and your item in his sale, so he is going to give you its fair market price.

Again let me stress you need an auctioneer who is known for selling your type of item.

FWIW, a lot of folks hwo looked it over commented about the stock refinishing because there was a noticeable gap or reduced tolerance between the stock and the metal parts. It felt like a few microns had been sanded off. One guy told me the hammer should have two stages, but it didn't, so that means there was a problem. Another guy told me they used the old hammers in the newer models until they ran out of them and the later models did have two-stage hammers, but mine was made before they ran out. I probably got 10 firm offers for $5k and a few for $3500. So $6500 sounded pretty good by then. My dad got it for free from a college buddy who just didn't want it laying around the basement anymore.

tabs
I've looked through my database of S&W's I've come across, saw no N frames with an "S" prefix but it is entirely possible I had none in the same vintage as yours. Could you provide what letter would correspond to J and K frames of similar age? I have a 36 I assume to be made in the mid 50's with no letter in the #. Perhaps it is older than I think?
Jim

Funny, no gun in my hand has ever taken human life. Are they defective? Should I call their respective manufacturers and complain?


(such a quote is ignorant and short-sighted. Sometimes killing someone is necessary, say for self defense, or defense of the innocent. )

+1 on the model 27, or possibly model 28 highway patrol special...but the barrel looks a little long..... give us the info....

Did you discover the flaw in the gun while you were touring Europe in your new Carrera GT?

[QUOTE=Rick Lee;3471409]FWIW, a lot of folks hwo looked it over commented about the stock refinishing because there was a noticeable gap or reduced tolerance between the stock and metal partsQUOTE]

As wood ages it shrinks.

S&W nominclature is convulted to say the best. In the 19th century the large frame was known as the 44 frame. Thus a 32 cal on large frame would be 32/44.
When the Hand Ejectors came along around 1900 they were divided into 1st, 2nd and 3rd models. After WW2 they added the S prefix to the serial number again on the large frame. Around 1959 S&W assigned Model numbers to their guns..the 357 Mag became the Model 27, in 1961 Smith had a design change that eliminated the screw in front of the Trigger guard and the Model then became the 27-2, In 1982 Smith did away with pinning the barrel to the frame and recessing the cylinder heads and the Model became the 27-3. In 1969 the S prefix was dropped and the way the Large frames were numbered was with an N prefix. Thus the nominclature of the N Frame.

LMAO

Tabdul,

whats a good muzzle loader brand? I need to get a new rifle for deer season.

Thompson Contender is a good chain made muzzleloader. They come in .45 and .50 cal and have been around for years.

Dear Slak..Take a look at....
http://www.amoskeag-auction.com/auction.html

http://www.jcdevine.com/

Both of these sites are currently auctioning off Contemporary Pennsylvania style long rifles. These are custom made guns, the prices for these guns sometimes are not much higher than a store bought gun and the quality is generally much higher. So go take a look through the list of guns and see if you find anything you like. If you do give them a call and ask for someone who can examine the gun for you and either leave an absentee bid or be a phone bidder. I have dealt with both of these auction houses for years and have never been bitten.

I'm looking at buying a new SS .357 6" barrel S&W.

What don't you like about S&W?