dropped the hammer on a 57 "S"

[Hasher76]

after looking for a while I finally found a 4" 57 "S" in pretty decent shape. could have been better; could have been worse. I am always on the lookout for these little (not so much of course) gems and I am proud to add it to my collection. Haven't picked it up yet but soon enough I will actually drop the hammer on it.
It has a wide trigger on it, that's the only option that I am familiar with, however, I am not that up to date on my options on a gun of this age. I will get pics up as soon as I can. Got it from Cabela's and talked them down on the price a tad and I know I overpaid, but it was worth it to me to find one local that I could feel and check the lockup/timing before purchasing it. The gun was worth what I paid for it to me and thats all that matters.
How do you tell the date of the gun, its an s prefix and I think 6 digit serial number starting with a 3 or a 31?

[gearchecker]

Hasher,
Give us the complete serial number, less the last number from the butt of the gun, put an X in replacement of the last number.
Many of us here have the catalog that will give us the serial range so we can give you an indication of the ship date.
When it comes to S&W serial numbers, nothing is set in stone. We may not be able to nail it down exactly, but I'm pretty sure we should be able to get you pretty close.

We'll be happy to help you out.

Gearchecker

[Hasher76]

serial is #S31604x

did they come with the 1/2" wide target trigger, its much wider than my 19-3 trigger that I read it shares with it mostly. would this be original (possibly?) or was this added later. is there a way to tell if it is original?

thanks

[carl418]

That would put it at 1968-69. The Model 57 came with a .400" or .500" target trigger and a .500" target hammer. It sounds like yours is original.

Nice find! I'm looking forward to pics.

[georgepittenger]

We want pics !


Alas , I have pretty much put my 57/58 plans on hold .

I don't ( and won't ) reload and the cost of ammo is just prohibitive for me .



Regards ,
George

[grasshopper]

Yep, they came with target hammer & trigger, just like the .44's.

[Hasher76]

borrowed this image from Cabela's. its got a little muzzle wear at the tip, the rest of the gun shows a bit of age but overall I think its really a sweet pick. That and I have always wanted one helps convince me of it anyways. The gap on the cylinder is VERY tight, lockup is pretty solid too.

[mmitch]

Hasher,

I'm gettin' all tingly, looking at your new score. Very nice, my friend!

Mike

[Hasher76]

just came back from cabelas and viewing my 57 just makes me all the more anxious to pick it up. I was looking at their ammo for the 41mag and came across some hornady xtp loaded suprisingly hotter than i have seen them load some 44's. Question is, can this old n frame beast take handfulls of them? Not going to shoot thousands of rounds from this one, more like dozens so I believe it to be fine, but just checking.

[RDLouks]

just came back from cabelas and viewing my 57 just makes me all the more anxious to pick it up. I was looking at their ammo for the 41mag and came across some hornady xtp loaded suprisingly hotter than i have seen them load some 44's. Question is, can this old n frame beast take handfulls of them? Not going to shoot thousands of rounds from this one, more like dozens so I believe it to be fine, but just checking.

Fire away and enjoy, that "N" Frame will take it.