Smith & Wesson Model 57 No-Dash .41 Rem. Mag. N-Frame, 4-Inch, High-Polish Blued, DA/SA Revolver (1981)
This 1981 Smith & Wesson Model 57 no-dash is a classic N-frame .41 Remington Magnum with a 4-inch barrel, high-polish blued finish, and target-sight configuration. It features a case-hardened wide-spur hammer and wide-face trigger, plus checkered wood target stocks with S&W medallions. The no-dash configuration predates the 1982 57-1 engineering change that deleted pinned barrels and recessed cylinders.
Built on a carbon-steel frame with a ribbed, serrated top rib and fully adjustable iron sights, this revolver pairs robust construction with a clean, purposeful sight picture. It is a six-shot, double-action/single-action design that balances power and control in a full-size package.
The adjustable-sight setup includes a ramped front with an orange/red insert and a fully adjustable rear, providing a clear and responsive aiming system. The high-polish blued finish highlights S&W’s period fit and finish, while the case-hardened controls and target stocks complete the classic presentation.
As a no-dash example produced in the United States in 1981, this Model 57 represents the era immediately before the 57-1 engineering change, a timeline detail valued by many S&W enthusiasts for its place in the model’s development.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: The revolver shows a handful of minor, superficial scratches and small blemishes consistent with light handling. The bore is clean and shiny.
What’s Included
- Smith & Wesson Model 57 no-dash .41 Rem. Mag. revolver
The N-frame construction supports the .41 Remington Magnum chambering with six-round capacity, delivering the sturdiness and balance associated with S&W’s large-frame magnum revolvers. The 4-inch barrel length offers a practical blend of handling and sight radius.
Controls are configured for target work and confident manipulation: a wide-face, case-hardened trigger and a case-hardened, wide-spur hammer. The checkered wood target-style stocks with S&W medallions provide a secure, traditional grip profile.
Sight equipment is optimized for precision and visibility. A ramped front sight with an orange/red insert pairs with a fully adjustable rear, while the ribbed, serrated top rib reduces glare and aids alignment. The result is a crisp sight picture suitable for deliberate shooting.
This revolver’s 1981 production date places it just before the Model 57-1 engineering change introduced in 1982, a point of interest for those who track S&W model transitions and factory configurations of the period.