S&W 43 Question

[Kar-el]

Thanks, Brian for the correction.

Yep, # is on the cylinder also. Could not find any letters on the frame.

Does anyone have an idea of the year it was made by the correct serial # 15XXX? (And that it is a 43 and not a 34)

 

[au2183]

That serial number puts it in the 1955-56 range.
I have a pre-43 also, serial # 5XXX, which puts it in 1954. I also have a 34-1, and the weight difference between the two is amazing when you can compare them side by side.
Very nice guns, as are all SW revolvers IMO. I would imaging re-bluing an aluminum frame may be more difficult and more expensive. Your wife's gun is indeed a shooter, and I would leave it that way if it were mine.
One thing to consider though is to get a cheap set of grips to put on it and save the original ones. They look to be in much better condition than the rest of the gun. Those diamond grips are getting more valuable every day!

 

[rcmodel]

You can also tell it is the alloy frame Model 43 by where the anodizing is wearing off around the trigger guard.

Also, it is a blacker black then the steel parts that are blued.

rc

 

[9mmepiphany]

She complains that she'd like it to look like the Python's that I drool over

get her a 4" Colt Diamondback in .22

 

[Kar-el]

9mmepiphany

You have a 4 inch Colt Diamondback to sell me for $300?


Kar-El

 

[9mmepiphany]

You have a 4 inch Colt Diamondback to sell me for $300?

that would just about cover what i paid for it...including tax and fees...when it was new

yes, i've had it a long time...i even had the action tuned back when that only cost $75 (a S&W tune was $50)

i can imagine ever letting my Diamondback go