S&W Mod. 51

[Butcher Boy]

I have a mod. 51 S&W that appears to be unfired. It comes with extra Hogue custome grips, the original box, plus an extra .22 lr cylinder that can be changed out for the .22 mag cylinder. Any guess as to its worth and how I can determine the manufacture date.

[redcliff]

Nice revolver, you'd probably be looking at $800 to $1000 from a collector if its in the condition you describe. Post the serial number and I'm sure one of us will look it up in SCSW book.

What county are you in, if up North I would be interested.

[Butcher Boy]

Model 51 S&W

Thanks for the reply. The serial # is: 34907

I am in the Sacto area. Just purchased this revolver, so don't know if I'm going to sell it soon. But money talks.

[03fatboy]

I have 57XXX and it dates to about 1959. Yours is slightly younger. I don't have a book handy, so I can't look it up. If it is marked model 51 in the yoke area it is likely no older than 1957.

Sounds like you have a great piece of history and we all would like to some pictures. The extra cylinder alone is an added $300, with box and condition you describe, it would be very appealing to a collector that would be willing to pay a premium.

[MMA]

According to the Standard Catalog of S&W, it was made between 1955 and and 1958. If the serial number has an "M" prefix it was made in '71-'73.

it'd be a good gun to keep if you're gonna start a collection.

[A-Ron]

Welcome to the Calguns, Butcher Boy.

I think starting a collection sounds like a fine idea!

[Mike A]

If you shoot it, wear EAR PROTECTION! (I said that extra loud because if you've already shot it without protection, you wouldn't hear me otherwise!).

J-frame Smith .22s are the nuts: I've had many 34s, a 35, a 43, and presently have a 651. The 51 sold well for a while after a rave review by Elmer Keith when it first came out. Most of them probably got shot a lot, so a "cherry" one is uncommon as heck.