The very first Model 58?

[BluesBear]

I was wandering around Auction Arms and I found this;

Is this the first Model 58 .41 magnum ever made?

According to S&N, the Model 58 began production at serial number S256500. But this gun has a serial number of S256484. So if it ain't the first is danged close to it. It's even got the original grips on it.


Right now I can't afford and it's too purty for me anyway. I'd just shoot it a bunch and carry it around if I had it.

 

[JimC]

I bought one NIB back in '66 with SN 259996. It was the very first one seen in these parts.

It's the first .41 mag that I reloaded for.

Don't have it any longer but my Brother still has one I believe. ???

They are a good, strong very reliable handgun. The fixed sights can be a problem with some loads and POA/POI.

 

[FPrice]

"The very first Model 58?"

I'd want a history report from Roy Jinks before I bought it as "the first Model 58". However, it looks in good shape and might be worth a bid simply on the early date and the condition. Just watch out that the price doesn't get too high.

I'd consider it myself, but have too many guns on layaway right now.

 

[Ala Dan]

Hey Blues Bear,

That sure would make a nice addition to someone's stable
of handguns. I'd like to have it myself; but unfortunately
right now, I can't afford it! Looks very nice indeed; like
a "safe queen" too me?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[BluesBear]

Ala Dan, Yes it's a safe queen alright. Which is why I brought it up. There are a lot of .41 collectors on THR and I thought one of them might give it a good home. (M58 and Saxon Pig, are you listening?)

As for me I'm just looking for a later blued one that I can toss in a target hammer & trigger, a set of smooth target grips and then carry and shoot.
Having carried one on and off duty for almost 10 years I think the M58 is one of the best CCW of all time.

I doubt that the one in the auction is actually the very first one sold. But one must admit it's one of the first ones. And so far the price is reasonable. It'll be interesting to see what it finally sells for.

 

[Frank in MT]

I have #S2953XX

Great guns.
I surely wish I had those grips!! Mine came with a knockout set of smooth targets but unfortunately not the stock M58 grips.

FN in MT

 

[BluesBear]

The last set of diamond 58 grips I saw for sale sold for $200

The model 58 has a rounded bottom that was only used on 58s until the 520 came along.

there's a gentleman on the S&W forum that often has a set of later, non-diamond, 58 grips for sale.

As for me the 58 with small grips always beat the hell out of my middle finger. My all time fav for the square butt N-frame is the S&W smooth target grips. But the prices on those have gotten obscene as of late.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I sent Rick Nahaus an e-mail with the link for that auction.

Be interesting what he has to say.

 

[P95Carry]

Oh so nice! I wish .... oh my ..... way too much spent last year .. just gotta be disciplined I tell myself.

I would like to be a ''Tamara'' .... one of every Smith ever .. well nearly!! We can always dream.

 

[BigG]

If I really liked 41 Maggies, I would go over Elmer Keith's writings with a fine tooth comb. Elmer was a great pal of Doug (IIRC) Wesson and got the first edition of all the big bores. He had #1 357 and 44 Mags and he recommended the 41 size as an interim between the two (and a cheaper model without frills) for police work with a 210 gr lead bullet @ 900fps (IIRC) in addition to the full power jacketed load whatever that was.

S&W - when you handle a lot of them you realize dang near every one has some uniqueness, ergo (imho) ain't none of them worth all that much extra unless it has some documented provenance or THE BUYER IS WILLING TO PAY. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. YMMV

 

[Albert Shear]

The 58 I carried off duty in the '70s. Still have it and won't part with it.

 

[FPrice]

The high bid is now...

$860.00. It's getting up there.

 

[The Real Hawkeye]

I have a four inch 57 I bought new in the early 1980s. Always wanted a 58. Saw a used one in good condition about three years ago at a local gun shop, but at the time I was broke. He only wanted like $450 for it. It had the small grips on it too. Really nice guns.

 

[Ala Dan]

Hey Albert-

Beautiful weapon, and nice pic thanks for sharing!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[P95Carry]

Great looks and proportions on your 58 Albert .... certianly a keeper for sure. I'd rate that as being as much the dog's ''dangly bits'' as my 5" M27-2 ...... it's all there ... even got the ideal grips IMO. What a treasure.

Amazing tho .... if that was a carry piece .... from the pic anyways - bluing looks till very good. I find carry tends to leave some quite serious bluing removal over time. Is it original finish?

 

[BluesBear]

With a good lined holster and regular waxing, yes waxing, you can keep a blued carry gun looking very good.

 

[P95Carry]

I'm certainly a fan of waxing Bear .. but I guess have not had many real nice lined holsters.

My old M27 .. which had a lot of holster use in competitions A suede lined too) ... lost blue either side of muzzle .. and odd places on cyl ... usually towards front. Always seemed to be pressure points that were hard to avoid.

I'm carrying 4" M28-2 right now, with the CT's .. tend to wonder with that if the left side of muzzle won't lose some blue, cos it contacts my pants.

 

[Mike Irwin]

"I'm certainly a fan of waxing Bear"

God, that must be a nightmare of a bikini area!

 

[P95Carry]

God, that must be a nightmare of a bikini area!

You don't know the half of it Mike ....

- depilatories just don't cut it!

Good luck tomorrow dude ... thinkin of ya!

 

[FPrice]

For those who care about such things...

the current bid is

$1,016.00

 

[Albert Shear]

Guys, like I stated, it was off duty carry. Uniform dept. issue was a Model 10. I generally left it in the holster when I took it off and on each day. It came out only at the range. It does have some blueing wear but the magic
good lighting helps.