[critter]

I didn't 'need' another gun. I didn't need to spend the money. BUT, the 'devil made me do it'---bought myself a Christmas present!

Found in an estate sale, a big ole N-frame S&W model 57 (no dash) (.41 mag). It is an older one with pinned barrel and recessed for case rims in the cylinder. BEAUTIFUL blue and big ole wood finger groove grips. Barrel is 8" long with red insert in front sight and white outline rear. Wide target type hammer and trigger.

ONLY flaw I can find is a little blue wear from a holster on the muzzle sides. Gave $300 for it. Now a couple of questions.

1. I think that is somewhere between an ok and a good price. (I'm really happy anyway!) Comment?

2. Can someone give me a born-on date from the S#: N490,XXX? Thanks!

Haven't shot it-no ammo---but fear not--gun guru has some on order for me. SOON!

[Logan5]

Sounds like a great price to me! I think I paid more for my M58; you found a great deal.

I read that SN as being 1978.

[DogBonz]

ONLY flaw I can find is a little blue wear from a holster on the muzzle sides. Gave $300 for it. Now a couple of questions.

You do realize that, right?:D

[Iggy]

Gun theft IS a felony, you know!!!

Congrats on a great find..

Enjoy it, dammit!!!:D

[critter]

Thanks guys. Gloating now! hehe

[sfhogman]

According to the second edition of Supica's book, 1978, near as I can tell.

Jeff

[Majic]

The M57 is a somewhat funny gun. Some areas price them dirt cheap because they don't sell and others think they are gold mines. The long barrel is also not very popular with a lot of people so that also could attribute to the low price. No matter what you got a great price. Now to really enjoy it you MUST start handloading. Most are not finicky about any decent load run down the tube.
.41s have a way of slowly pushing your other big bores to the back of the safe and they are worst than Lay's potatoe chips (don't ask me how I know). :D

[critter]

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to burning some powder. Then, I'm sure I'll be getting dies for it (already reload for others). I'll give a range report. Maybe even with pic's!

[MCgunner]

Hiway robbery! I hate to see you taken to the cleaners like that. I tell ya what, I have some spare cash around. I'll give you $325 for it to help out of this jam, eh? Whaddaya say? :evil:

Christ, I have to figure out where they have these friggin' estate sales. I'm still smartin' over my buddy getting a M29 with trigger job and magnaporting for $300 at one of those things.

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Nice find. Good price. I always wanted a .41 Magnum. Too late now for my creaky hands, .357 is about all I can handle these days. I'm happy to see that you didn't let the lack of 'need' deter your purchase. It's all about the "want".

[Tijeras_Slim]

Good price?

Yeah, like a Porsche 911 for $5000. :eek:

[.41Dave]

AAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!!! Why do I never find deals like this??!! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Ok, I'm ok now. *sigh* Oh well, Congrats! Please post pics of your 57 so I can envy you even more! :D

[Preacherman]

Critter, thou hast sinned grievously by paying so little for so fine a revolver. In penance, thou shalt immediately drive south of thy State's border and hand it over to thy humble servant, yours truly, who shall look after it with great care in thy stead.

NOT! (I know, I know, but it was worth trying . . . :D )

:neener:

[RonJon]

My son just bought this one for $400. It is also an 8 3/8" barrel. It's got the 3 Ts and P&Rd. Condition: 99.99%.

http://webpages.charter.net/ronjon/S&W%20Model%2057%20blued%20c.JPG
http://webpages.charter.net/ronjon/S&W%20Model%2057%20blued%20b.JPG

Ron:cool:

[critter]

Great pictures! Looks like a twin to mine. When was yours made?

[RonJon]

1981
SN: N8347XX
:)

[Gator]

D'oh! I have been looking for one of those, the last one I saw was $700.

GREAT buy! Congrats.

[45crittergitter]

I bought a 6" one with thin bluing a few years ago for $175 at a gun show. :neener: Sometimes ya just gets lucky!! :)

[rich e]

Critter... I always blame overtime $$ for new gun purchases...Then while at work,, I blame gun purchases on working overtime...The internal debate keeps going back and forth........

[critter]

Yeah, rich, but it's more like a whirlpool spiraling ever downward, isn't it? Oh, well, it is a fun trip!