Super Score!!

[Love Life]

I bought a S&W revolver today chambered in 38/357. This revolver is blued (wear at muzzel) with a PINNED barrel and RECESSED chambers. This gun locks up like a vault, but I don't know when it was made. The story I got from the guy who sold it was it was carried by his grandfather in the RCMP. The revolver came with a period correct full flap leather holster that is wool lined to prevent freezing. The serial number is as follows:117088. It has a large "S" Stamped where the crane goes with the number 26988 under it. Under the 26988 is stamped the number 7. Does anybody have any readily available info on this revolver or do I need to call S&W?

[Bret4207]

It's not wool lined to prevent freezing. Thats to prevent holster wear and will tend to hold moisture if you aren;t observant. I've done a bit of research on the guns of the RCMP and was not aware of them ever issuing 357's, but it may have been a misprint meaning 357 AMMO. Maybe someone else has more info. Adjustable sights or fixed?

[subsonic]

Post pics.

I'd guess a model 27 or 28, or that it's an outdoorsman or Model 10, but those are .38-44s.

[Love Life]

Update to the gun story. I talked to the guy again and he didn't say if it was issued or not. He said his grandfather bought the gun for use with the RCMP. Even if he is giving me bum scoop it is a nice gun. I may need to call S&W to get the manufacture dates.

[EDK]

Call/email Smith & Wesson. It may be a "pre war" and a "registered" 357 magnum....which predates model numbers like Model 27. A collector might be ready to buy it at a premium.

:cbpour::redneck::Fire:

[Love Life]

Call/email Smith & Wesson. It may be a "pre war" and a "registered" 357 magnum....which predates model numbers like Model 27. A collector might be ready to buy it at a premium.

:cbpour::redneck::Fire:

I plan to. I am very curious as to the history of this firearm. I don't think it's a registered magnum because it doesn't have REGXXXX stamped anywhere. This revlover doesn't have model number stamped on it any where.

[scattershot]

i had one just like it, and I kick myself every time I think of having sold it. More than likely, it's a postwar pre-M-27, and is one of the finest pistols out there. S&W can give you the date of manufacture, etc. great find!

Guys over on the S&W forum could probably help, too.

[Bret4207]

Looks like a 27, but a pre- numbered version what ever they were called. BTW- if it was issued I believe it would have British/Domion of Canada marking, more than just RCMP. THere's a website someplace I ran across that had the markings and there are a couple of books in print that have them to. Depends on when it was issued on what markings it would have. Might be wroth some google time.

[No_1]

From the pictures it appears the barrel is marked 357 Magnum. If that is the case then it is not a 38-44 unless it has had it's barrel changed. Otherwise it appears to be a post war N frame 357 Mag. Possibly made around 1954-1955. Look at the below link for some info. A list of dates from most S&W's are listed in post #15.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/90659-gun-faqs-2.html


R.



I bought a S&W revolver today chambered in 38/357. This revolver is blued (wear at muzzel) with a PINNED barrel and RECESSED chambers. This gun locks up like a vault, but I don't know when it was made. The story I got from the guy who sold it was it was carried by his grandfather in the RCMP. The revolver came with a period correct full flap leather holster that is wool lined to prevent freezing. The serial number is as follows:117088. It has a large "S" Stamped where the crane goes with the number 26988 under it. Under the 26988 is stamped the number 7. Does anybody have any readily available info on this revolver or do I need to call S&W?

[9.3X62AL]

The pre-Model 27 N-frame 357 Magnums were called--imaginatively enough--the "357 Magnum". These are the utter apex of S&W's gunmaking art. I sold off one of these in the late 1990s in 5" trim, and truly regret the need to have done so. I was given another such example a few years ago, and it is a treasured gift that I shoot and enjoy several times a year. It dotes on Lyman #358156 served at 1250-1300 FPS, atop either 13.5 grains of Alliant 2400 or 14.5 grains of WW-296. These duplicate current W-W 158 JHP factory load ballistics quite closely. Current SAAMI-safe, in other words. This load being my old agency's authorized duty/carry round, the duplicator load serves well as a practice round for my 357s. Yes, I CCW the 357--a lot.

L/L, that S&W is a jewel--I would be very reluctant to part with it or another like it.

[Love Life]

The side of the barrel is stamped "357 Magnum". On the grip fram the letters "S" and "B" are stamped in along with what looks like the letters "T" and "I" in the other side of the grip frame. I believe I will hold on to this one and send it off to be reblued. I look at this gun and how tight and precise it is and I can't believe the quality that used to go into these products.

[smoked turkey]

I notice it is a 5-screw which means it is prior to 1955. I think the above guess at late 40s early 50s is in the ball park. Boy what a find. I have an old 4-screw model 28 Highway Patrolman with a 4" bbl. I like it a lot but it doesn't hold a candle to the model 27. Good find!

[GLL]

Look on the grip frame BUTT. There should be a "S" in front of the 117088. I agree that it is probably a 1954-55 era gun but there are many exceptions at S&W ! :).
Many of the .38/44 Outdoorsman I collect are "out of sequence" !

Here is its very close cousin !

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/C79242609308ABE/orig.jpg

[Love Life]

GLL- It has the "S" stamp right where you said it would be. I want to thank everybody who helped me out on this one. I will contact S&W and report back when I get the full story for this gun. The only thing that makes this better is the price I paid:evil:

[Mk42gunner]

N-frames don't really fit my hand very well, but I still get caught by the sheer quality of the older S&W's.

I have got to figure out what grip to put on them, they shoot to good to ignore.

Robert

[Matthew 25]

Who the heck would sell their grandfather's gun?

[BruceB]

The RCMP never issued the .357, and members carried ISSUED revplvers....not personally owned guns.

They went from the .45 Colt (New Service) to the .38 Special M10 S&W, and thence to the SIG 9mm (M226?).

Members leaving after long service were allowed(for quite a while, at least) to buy their service revolvers...I tried for years to pry a nice New Service .45 away from its owner, without success.

Plainclothes RCMP personnel that I knew carried the M36 Chief's Special in .38 Special.

That is still a very nice revolver. personally, I wouldn't have it refinished. Its appearance is testimony to a long career of service.

[Love Life]

Who the heck would sell their grandfather's gun?

direct quote from the previous owner "I don't like guns, and I don't like having them in my house."

[9.3X62AL]

Takes all kinds, I guess.

I share Bruce's view that its finish is just fine as it is. I doubt that even S&W (these days) could duplicate the high polish and lustre of the original finish.