Every Picture Tells A Story

tabs · 09-09-2007, 11:31 AM

Here is a picture and a brief description of a revolver as I saw it on an online auction. Please take a look and post what information you can derive from this picture and brief caption (age, conditon, orginality, model,value etc). This really is a question of how observant one is. After a number of replys I will post what the paticulars are.

Smith & Wesson Revolver 357 Magmum serial # S181,000.

BTW: Yeah I know Rod Stewart

Jim Sims · 09-09-2007, 11:39 AM

This gun of the hand is for the taking of human life. - Eli Lapp

pwd72s · 09-09-2007, 11:41 AM

Ex cop gun?

Joeaksa · 09-09-2007, 11:59 AM

Appears NIB, so not a service weapon or is the lighting hiding some rubbing on the tip of the barrel?

Groesbeck Hurricane · 09-09-2007, 12:04 PM

Tabs,

It is very hard to tell from the photo. It would help to be able to hold and turn the piece around. Verify the pin has not been ground down. Verify the hammer pull. Listen to the cylinder.

From the photo, I'd think this gun has been re-blued, this would GREATLY diminish the value. there is damage showing on the grips, are these orginal grips? The end of the barrel appears to have wear, this could indicate life going in and out of a holster or someone who is careless. I cannot see the inside of the barrel.

The length of the barrel is more interesting to collectors than someone who will carry the piece. I don't have the books in front of me, is that serial number for real? Is it re-barrelled? You'd have to check that out.

adjustable rear sight and there appear to be fewer pins indicating an older piece, but that is from a weak memory and could be wrong.

I, personnally, do not care for S&W so that lowers the value to me.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I have a .44 mag. that looks amost identical to that.

Robert Coats · Robert Coats's Garage

Looks like a Model 19, but don't think they ever made a 19 with a long barrel like that.

Cylinder looks a bid odd, too. Not sure what I'm seeing.

tabs · 12:16 PM

Tell me the S&W Model, and vintage etc...All that information is available from what I posted. Who owned it is not a factor. It is observant to notice that the grips seem to have a bit more wear than the metal finish. Reblued huh?

Joey NIB? But what model is it and when was it made. How valuable is it. Thats what enquiring minds want to know.

tabs · 09-09-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I have a .44 mag. that looks amost identical to that.

Actually so do I...within a year of when this gun was mfg.

tabs · 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Coats

Looks like a Model 19, but don't think they ever made a 19 with a long barrel like that.

Cylinder looks a bid odd, too. Not sure what I'm seeing.

Serial number will tell you the frame size as well as probable model, and apx year made. The barrel is 8 3/8" which is a factory length, so no replacement barrel.

BTW: The grips also belie its vintage..and they are the orginal grips.

tabs · 09-09-2007, 12:30 PM

Dear Gros...whether you like Smiths is irrevelant, this is about the power of observation. That picture and caption tells nearly the whole story, without having to pick it up and examine it.

stomachmonkey · 09-09-2007, 12:32 PM

Dirty Harry prop.

tabs · 09-09-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Dirty Harry prop.

Who, what, when and the where of who owned it is unknown and unimportant. Intrinsically what is it that you are looking at. I bet if this were an RS everybody would know everything there is to know about it.

LeeH · 09-09-2007, 01:16 PM

Round serial number. First of...? Last of...?

RichF · 09-09-2007, 01:27 PM

"Smith & Wesson Revolver 357 Magmum serial # S181,000"

"There is no 357 magMUM"

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

Given # S181,000. Was that on the crane or on the bottom of the grip? I don't know the trick of telling the frame size with a number like that.
Jim

Groesbeck Hurricane · 09-09-2007, 02:57 PM

Tabs,

My first look was a Model 27, reblued, well used, grade ~50% at most,~$225.00 point of sale, I'd offer around $165.00. I would expect to see checkered grips normally.

Again, I don't have access to "my" books, so I looked up the serial number on the internet. Cursory review turns up nothing special, can't easily find a list of serial numbers. My original guess on this piece would be the Model 27 as stated above. I'd make the offer stated above and not lose any sleep. I might be wrong, I've been wrong before, but there is nothing there to make me think this is a special piece or anything other than a 1950's Model 27. Rebluing REALLY hurts value and makes the piece a shooter.

I've seen a VERY, VERY rare Colt SA that the owner had chromed. He took an expensive piece and created a $300.00 shooter at best. Still had good movement and I would have shot it but the guy was rather insulted at the suggestion his "rare" gun had been devalued.

Take a '73 RS and turn it into a 73 T. Same idea here...

Joeaksa · 09-09-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashflyer

This is the gun that was used to kill Jack Ruby.

Believe that it was a snub nose that was used in this case. Was sold at Rays sporting goods and gun shop in Dallas.

tabs · 09-09-2007, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashflyer

This is the gun that was used to kill Jack Ruby.

Jack Ruby died of Cancer in prison. Jack Ruby killed Lee Harvey Oswald with a Colt Detective Spl or Smith Chief Spl.. I don't remember which and it sold at auction for $250,000.00 a few years back.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Speaking of Ray's, it's in a bad part of town, but it's an awesome store. My dad bought a lot of guns there when I was a kid. I had the chance to visit Ray's a year ago. When I walked through that door, I swear, it smelled just like my dad's old gun cabinet. What a great place.