Help identifying this Smith and Wesson revolver

[Pockets]

I know the serial number is S151559 and it is a 3 1/2 inch 357 but what about the year model those sort of things? I know nothing about this sort of gun. Any knowledge would be a huge help.

Thank You!
Robert

 

[flyingk9]

Pre model 27 or 28 from around 56-57 I think. Is the top strap checkered?

 

[Pockets]

Pre model 27 from around 56-57 I think.

Thank you Flyingk9, going to sound like a noob but what does pre model 27 mean? Which model would it be?

 

[Control for Smilers]

nice!!!

 

[Control for Smilers]

it is a .357 magnum in N frame. that model would become the 27. it was the original s&w .357mag.

 

[Control for Smilers]

S Serial Prefix: N Frames Postwar

Models: 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 57, 58 and their pre-model number variations:

1946-1947 S62489-S67999
1947-1948 S68000-S71999
1948-1949 S72000-S72499
1949-1950 S72500-S74999
1950-1951 S75000-S80499
1951-1952 S80500-S85999
1952-1953 S86000-S94999
1953-1954 S95000-S102999
1954-1955 S103000-S139999
1955-1956 S140000-S149999
1956-1957 S150000-S175999
1957-1958 S176000-S181999
1958-1959 S182000-S194499
1959-1960 S194500-S206999
1960-1961 S207000-S219999
1961-1962 S220000-S227999
1962-1963 S228000-S231999
1963-1964 S232000-S235999
1964-1965 S236000-S257999
1965-1966 S258000-S261999
1966-1967 S262000-S289999
1967-1968 S290000-S304999
1968-1969 S305000-S329999
1969-1970 S330000-S333454

 

[Control for Smilers]

Pre model 27 or 28 from around 56-57 I think. Is the top strap checkered?

correct!!

 

[flyingk9]

Thank you Flyingk9, going to sound like a noob but what does pre model 27 mean? Which model would it be?

Hard to tell from the pics. If it has a checkered top strap, it would be a pre model 27. Pre model 28 would be the same gun, with a flatter bluing and no checkering on top strap. Pre model 27's didn' have a model name, just 357 Magnum. Pre model 28's were named the Highway Patrolman. Model #'s didn't come along until '57, though you will still find some transitional pieces that shipped after the model # desgnations without a model # stamped inside the yoke. After '57, the 357 Magnum became the model 27, and the HP became the model 28.

 

[Pockets]

Hard to tell from the pics. If it has a checkered top strap, it would be a pre model 27. Pre model 28 would be the same gun, with a flatter bluing and no checkering on top strap. Pre model 27's didn' have a model name, just 357 Magnum. Pre model 28's were named the Highway Patrolman. Model #'s didn't come along until '57, though you will still find some transitional pieces that shipped after the model # desgnations without a model # stamped inside the yoke. After '57, the 357 Magnum became the model 27, and the HP became the model 28.

The top of the gun has the checkered look you are talking about so Pre model 27.

 

[Pockets]

Photo of the top