Will post letter & will have history ck done

Beautiful gun, and quite rare! From the thread title, though, I thought perhaps you had located RM #1, the missing J. Edgar Hoover gun! (Out of the closet).

Can't wait to see letter now , Again thanks for the expert input

What an awesome RM and anyone would love to have that living in their gun safe.

"We have researched your S & W .357 magnum, pre WW2 registered magnum, caliber .357 magnum, revolver in our company records which indicate that your handgun, serial number 511XX with the reg number 2197 was shipped from our factory on April 8, 1937 and delivered to Peoples loan office, Birmingham AL. The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with a 3.5 inch barrel equipped with a partridge front sight, a square notch rear sight, nickel finish, and checkered walnut magna grips. This revolver was sighted in at 20 yards with .357 magnum ammunition using a 6 o clock hold. It may be possible to get additional information about this revolver from the S & W historical foundation. "


There ya go guys......seems it was an origional nickel gun. Way cool to read that letter.

Interesting, the rounded corners and edges on the rear sight, particularly on the body of the sight where the horizontal striations are. I haven't seen many RMs - is this a normal feature, or a product of wear or modification?

Wow...great gun! I agree that you are lucky to have that rare old S&W. Personally, I'd have to need money real bad to ever consider parting with it.

Sent letter to Historical forum , Will post if I hear anything

That is a nice S&W RM.

buckeyefist and Old Seabee,

Congratulations on having a great and rare old timer!

Here is its close relative...missing the Reg. #. It shipped in 1940 to an officer in the Kentucky Highway Patrol and the Hopkinsville KY PD. Like yours, this one also had a hard life and now has been restored to the beautiful condition in which it shipped and wears some of Keith Brown's artistry.

I kinda like the Four Leaf Clover on yours. That is widely recognized to bring good luck and good fortune to the owner. Can't imagine a better symbol to have on something that I was going to trust my life to.

Bob

Beautiful firearm. I also own an N frame revolver from the same era. SN 5283X ('37) which is a 4" 38/44 HD and has a four leaf clover engraved on the sideplate. In addition, the original owners name was added. The firearm was won at pistol match in Woodward, OK and the engraving added at that time. I may have a picture of it. I don't know the reason for the clover, but it does give an identity to the piece. My best wishes in researching your RM.

__________________
... fortunate son...

Would like to see pic , may be a connection ? Thanks for looking

Not to rain on anyones parade but, how do you engrave a 4 leaf clover through the nickel? A cursory look should be immediatly apparent. Either the gun was engraved through the factory nickel or it has been refinished.No question it was ORIGINALLY nickled. The question is,did the factory nickle it after engraving or was it re nickled after the art work. Either way it is a priceless piece! Nick

Good point but I am not knowlegable enough to help . May learn something from foundation ?

Hi
I have looked at all the pictures also and like Lee I can not find anything that would says it refinished.
About the engraving on the side plate I would say that if anything was done the side plate was removed finish stripped, engraved and side plate refinished.
Just my 2 cents worth.
still a great gun.
Jim

I looked at it and it is very light can be seen but barely felt with finger nail ,but is covered with nickel

The best picture I could find in inventory.. It's shown with incorrect grips however. As you can see, there is no logo on the sideplate. All the lettering is block, and very shallow.

__________________
... fortunate son...

This earlier photo shows the most detail. The lettering and clover were enhanced with wax in the ca. 1940's photo. .

__________________
... fortunate son...

Nice Your dads or grandads I presume

Yes, my dad's. Came out of OKC PD in '39 and into the Bureau from '39 to '61. Move from this to a 4" RM at Quantico. Thank you for asking.

__________________
... fortunate son...