Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: The .357 Magnum, Pre-Model 27

Serial Number: S135339

Year of Manufacture: 1954

Caliber: .357 Magnum

Action Type: Single and Double Action Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “SMITH & WESSON”. The rear face of the cylinder is marked “S135339”, the rear face of the yoke is marked “135339”, the butt is marked “S135339”, the underside of the ejector star is marked “135339”, and the underlug cut of the barrel is marked “S135339”. The side-plate is marked with the S&W logo. The right side of the frame is marked with the four-line Marcas Registradas address. The right side of the barrel is marked “S&W. 357 MAGNUM”. The yoke cut and yoke are marked with assembly numbers. The sides of the grip frame have inspection marks.

Barrel Length: 6 1/2”, Pinned

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a serrated ramped blade pinned to a ramped base pinned to the barrel rib. The rear sight is a S&W micrometer click square notch adjustable for windage and elevation. The barrel rib, ramp, rear sight tang, and the topstrap are finely checkered to reduce glare.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece target checkered wood panels. There are some light handling marks. There are no major defects. Overall, the grips are in about very good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is no erosion. This bore rates 10/10 in this writer’s opinion.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 90% of its metal finish. There are some light handling marks. There are some scars from corrosion showing near the front sight. There are no burn marks on the cylinder. The is finish loss at the muzzle , the front sight, the crane hinge and on the right side of the frame near the trigger guard. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in about very good condition. 

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The cylinder lockup produces light side-to-side play on each chamber with the trigger depressed. The double-action trigger is smooth, the single action crisp. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: A wooden display case lined with blue fabric. Also included is the screwdriver, the mop, brush, and cleaning rod. They are all in good condition. 

Our Assessment: This is a Smith & Wesson double-action revolver made in 1954. When first introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1935 it was known as the Registered Magnum and in 1939 Smith & Wesson changed the name to “The .357 Magnum”, and later the Model 27. It was noted for its durability and reliability and has been a favorite of shooters since its inception. The 3.5” barrel length version of this revolver was extremely popular with FBI agents from the 1940s to the 1960s. General George Patton carried an ivory handled Registered Magnum with a 3 ½” barrel (along with his ivory handled Colt Peacemaker) Patton called the Model 27 his “killing gun”. This Pre-Model 27 revolver looks good and should be a hit with the collectors. It is one of the strongest double-action .357 Magnum revolvers ever made, built on S&W’s N-frame, also used for the .44 Magnum.