Pre-War 357 Magnum Appreciation Thread

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My thanks goes out to Lee and the gang for all of the effort that they put into moving this great forum.

With this new forum, I thought that we should christen it with a pre-war 357 photo appreciation thread. I have been a firearm enthusiast for as long as I can remember. However, the beauty and grace of the pre-war 357 Mag, in all its varieties (Registered Magnum, Non-Registered Magnum, numbered pre-war 357 not eligible for registration, etc...) really gets my heart pumping. My favorite threads on this forum have centered around the RM and I have read many of them over and over again. I have drooled at the excellent photography skills of the various members of this forum and I have enjoyed being part of the collective show and tell that goes on here.

My wife just got a new camera and related software, so I of course had to try it out on my favorite subjects - my two RM's. With the wealth of pre-war 357's that are out there with our members, I thought that I would start this thread off with a few new photos of some old revolvers and I would invite you to do the same.

June 1937 7" RM

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November 1937 8.75" RM (sporting some Keith Brown wood)

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RM3261L.jpg


Thanks for humoring me and sharing your guns, photos, observations, questions, and expertise.
 
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Are those original or period S&W stocks or modern replacements?

The stocks on the 7" are original and number to the gun. The stocks on the 8.75" are Keith's reproductions with original medallions and escutcheons. How 'bout posting a photo of the UT Highway Patrol 357 that you have, assuming that you still have it. ;)

Pace:

That is a beauty! I cannot recall the history, if you posted it before. Please remind me/share.
 
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Onomea, that is a GORGEOUS restoration. Here's my non-reg magnum, redone by Gene Williams, with stocks by Keith.
Bob
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Don't take this personally, but I hate you guys.... :D

Absolutely magnificent revolvers, color me green with envy.
 
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Pace:

That is a beauty! I cannot recall the history, if you posted it before. Please remind me/share.

Not posted here before, RK. This is its coming out photo. It will be on display in Troy. I'll update here after the meeting.
 
Not posted here before, RK. This is its coming out photo. It will be on display in Troy. I'll update here after the meeting.

Whew... I know that I'm getting old, but I'm glad that I did not forget the story of that gorgeous piece. Sad that I'm not going to make it to Troy, so... I'll try and patiently wait until you get back:o.

Everyone - Beautiful guns!
 
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Since RK asked I will post the photos. I just figured everyone's seen it already and is sick of it.

I know that 50 of these were shipped to the UHP 1937-38 in three shipments, and the story I was told when I bought it was that only one other is known to be in a private collection with the whereabouts of the remaining 48 unknown. Anyone happen to know who has the other one?


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Shoots pretty good with full power 357 Magnum ammo.

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My one and only. This KCPD gun was shipped in September 1939. This was the among the first of three shipments to that agency by S&W and this one carries a REG #5159. I guess that makes it a "non-registered, registered magnum". The grips are not original to the gun, but were purchased from another member and brought back to life by Keith Brown. I enjoy shooting this gun several times a year.

Jerry


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Saxon Pig,

I just noticed the difference in the front sight bases of your RM versus the KCPD guns. It also appears that the barrels of the KCPD guns are slightly longer than your gun - by 1/4" or so, ... or is it just my lying eyes? I guess it could be that the sight base is milled back from the crown of the barrel in the KCPD guns. The KCPD guns are listed as 4" in Roy's letter.

Great photos All! I wish I could get to Detroit this year...

Jerry
 
The UHP guns were originally 6" and were returned to S&W in the late 1940s and early 1950s (I think mine is stamped with a 1952 repair date) to have the barrels cut to 4" and be refinished. The front sight is weird and I guess it's something they made up for this purpose as I have not seen other guns with the same base. Mine has a replacement hammer and I think it was done at this time. Utah sees a lot of snow and cop guns in the snow get rusty hammers from being exposed in the holsters. Think about all those pre-war Magnas they tossed in the trash. Mine has correct but not original stocks.
 
NIce guns, all.

Toyman, did you relieve the Magna grips to add the grip adapter?

Bob
 
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