Refinished (a few times), restamped butt SN (due to shortened butt?), Post War Barrel and Ejector Rod....

GOOD LORD.........

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/770420949

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

...is it just me...or is the side plate fit pretty bad...and the address buffed most of the way off...

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A Country Boy Can Survive

Watching in dis-belief! Im just glad I had a few and thinned out the group.
Money went towards a nice house at the beach.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

It has been drilled for a lanyard ring. That's the reason for the SN restamp. If that was done originally at the time of order, it would make it a very scarce example of an already scarce (3.5" with HBM & Magnas) gun.
That is....if it was even originally a 3.5"!
There isn't even a factory letter!?

That gun has issues that would bother me a lot for $8K! It would even bother me at half that!

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

It is almost certainly a Mississippi Highway Patrol gun, based on lots of numbers all around it with the same configuration. There were 54 guns in the shipment.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

...and what's more amazing is that there was bidding to get it up to that price. I can't relate to that all. I just think of what I could get for $8000......

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Def not a factory font for the serial relocation.... I'd guess the butt was shortened for whatever reason, swivel installed, and then SN put back on years later for legal purposes.

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

I was watching that one myself. My goodness, add $1500 and you can grab an original 7.5" without getting into a bidding war. Two people that want the same thing at the same time. It sure makes me feel much more comfortable about the $2000 I spent for my poor 3.5" RM.

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Matthew Conrad

Double WOW Batman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If that's worth $8000..... I can only imagine how much the bottle of Scotch the winning bidder was pouring between bids................. cost!!!!

Wonder if the butt was shortened to take post war grips??????????????

Never seen a reg with a lanyard ring hole (plugged). Maybe that's what makes it so special. I think I need to put my REG mag on the chopping block!

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Go West young man..

Barnum was right.

Oooooh... SHINY!
Even if it was one of 54 specially ordered by the Mississippi HP, that sure seems like a ridiculously high price. Maybe the market for collectable Smiths isn't getting as soft as some have been thinking...

I am not a player in this market but was watching the auction just for fun. I think the combination of a known seller and very good pictures of a neat looking gun that happened to be a reg magnum made a big difference in price. If it was an unknown seller with ****** pictures I bet it would have sold for a lot less. Sure looks like a nice shooter.

I followed that and I thought the same thing...

Sometimes, people get caught up in a bidding frenzy and just cannot stop.

Bill

The selling price of this refinished Frankenstein RM is proof positive that 1) the market for Registered Magnums is 65+ on the Rockwell C Hardness Scale, and 2) lipstick on a pig does work.

Stay Armed...Stay Vigilant...Stay Safe!

SRT

I agree with 410 bore on this one. I see several unkosher things.
As stated , the post war barrel. I see the REG number but I’d like to see a little over to the left. Does it have a post war serial number ( with S ) stamped in it?

Also I don’t believe the refinish was done at the factory. Someone mentioned the side plate fit. I think this is because the edges were rolled during polishing. Speaking of polishing you don’t see the lettering washed out in factory refinishing. I don’t doubt it’s refinished, I just doubt it was done ( at least the the last time ) at the factory.

The stocks are not what you see when they are fit by the factory. Maybe the grip was shortened but as 410 bore states this is no font that the factory ever used. It looks like someone went down to the neighborhood True Value and got a stamp kit. It actually looks like a gun that the ATF restored the serial number on and a gunsmith restamped.

I don’t see how you can claim to be an expert and say that people can trust your expertise and miss such amateur mistakes. You can’t have it both ways. Either you make mistakes due to inexperience or you have a reputation to uphold due to full disclosure and expertise.

If some novice collector learned a $8000.00 lesson I think it’s shameful.

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S&WHF 483 , S&WCA 1699

Yes, but you all have to admit that it is “very rare and totally unique”!

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Terry Lester

OMG!

Shame on that seller.

I don't know what I can say about the buyer, except that I feel bad for him. But then again, how can you feel sorry for someone with too much money. WOW!

What a spanking!

Now lets hold on for a minute. Its up to the buyer to ask questions and request more pics. I have no stake in this piece. So lets relax. Lets admit, investors are in our realm of collecting. Mike

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

So if you read the description gun went back to factory a few times and it was noted as being re-finished. I am sure buyers asked questions regarding the piece. Nobody was forced to buy it gentlemen. I would save your aggravation for when it really counts like your next insurance premium or heaven forbid your cats pregnant. Again!

I'd like to thank all the members who posted their thoughts.
This is how I learn.
I'm very new to S&W revolvers, but as posted before. That sideplate fit and the polishing off of the made in USA is definite red flag.
In my new and limited experience, that side plate was not done by the factory.
All of my cheap old S&W revolvers are better fit than that.
I didnt follow the link to GB, but I will now.
Just so I know who sold the gun.
That's a very expensive lesson.

I think this is one time that a seller did better because there wasn’t a factory letter.

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Get off my lawn!

Condition, condition, condition can only be enhanced by description. When bidding jumps by $500 to a $1,000, someone wants more than just the picture.

It's all about the desire! It doesn't need to be sensible. Hoover3 may have bought 10 years early. Or a factory letter demonstrates that it was an excellent buy, just not at my house.

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S&WHF 366

I like to see the buyers.. and the current prices.

So when I see something to buy I know what I can sell it for.

It looks like a newer ejector rod to go with the post-war barrel too. Someone got snookered bad.

Caveat Emptor

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

My 4" KCPD was factory refinished in '54 and it's just gorgeous compared to that one. It cost me between a quarter and a third of $8,000 three, maybe four years ago?
Lettered and configured as shipped with Humpback, Magnas, King's sight base with Baughman blade, and most importantly, the original pre-war barrel!
If that one's worth $8K, then I guess I could expect $12K, maybe even $15K for mine? So what are the few with box, certificate, SAT, etc. worth now? 6 figures?

Attached Images

KCPD.jpg (126.7 KB, 122 views)

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

"FRENZY"-stupidity!

I don’t care if it’s Patton’s ivory handled six shooters, I’m not paying eight grand for any gun. That’s crazy.

Well, the first sentence of the add on GB was accurate. The gun is unique, as for the rest of it, good salemansship.
I hope the buyer gets an inspection by a knowledgeable person upon receipt of the gun.

The MHP Reg Mags were 3 1/2"? I've got a Non Reg Mag MHP that is a 5", plugged lanyard hole and 4 trips back to the factory. That barrel is post war and someone dropping 8K should have done a little more research.

Remember, it took two bidders to get it up to $8k.


Charlie

Below my own RM, A refurb, bought cheap at $500, some decades ago. So long, languishing in the safe as an 'also ran'. Now, perhaps finally... Limelight! Refurbs to rule! Having 'their day'. Guns in the Sun! Not just that. From having to admit mine, not even worthy of a letter... Now just to claim myself 'too canny' to invest!in one. As noted in a Post above, my RM too, surely worth more without it!

Well, a lot of tongue in cheek humor offered here! Yet irony as in the present 8K sale of discussion; sometimes factual. Nowadays, not just fools and their money soon politicians'. Now also 'flashy-refurb' gun buyers!

Ain't life strange! And fun!
My take

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Yawn.......

The internet is a scary thing

Same buyer of the OP gun bought this gun for $8051:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/756822223

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Buy American
Vote Responsibly

Same buyer Same seller. Both auctions started at a penny with no reserve. Sure can't blame the seller.

The seller started the auction at the ground floor......

A couple of buyers got to hittin' the bid button late in the show...till one dropped out.

The winner takes all.......Ya can't put a price on pride of ownership.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

I had that one in my watch list just for grins I stopped watching when the bid got to 4500. Actually that was the second RM that bidder won from the same seller both to the tune of 8000+.

I guess we should start referring to those bidders as....................

Buffet or better yet........... "Trump Class"

I thought of bidding on it myself until I took a good look at the pictures. I didn’t think it would go for half of the final price. The seller is well respected in S&W collecting, no doubt part of the reason the revolver went so high.

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John
S&WCA Life Member

Notes: This very rare and totally unique Registered Magnum is equipped with the sought after 3.5" barrel with a Baughman ramp front sight, Humpback Hammer and Magna grips. The gun is in absolutely fantastic, virtually untouched, since being refinished at the factory in May of 1962. The grip frame has several date code stamps indicating that the gun was returned to be tuned-up on five separate occasions all about four years apart; in May of 1947, November of 1950, September of 1954, May of 1960 and May of 1962! Almost certainly this is a Police Department regular maintenance process, potentially from the KCPD or Dallas PD, which can be further confirmed with a factory letter. The fit and function of this revolver is flawless, the action and lock-up are tight and properly timed, the bore and cylinder chambers are mint. Bottom-line: a fantastic and very rare Registered .357 Magnum!!

In my opinion this gun was completely misrepresented here!
First off the gun is NOT absolutely fantastic. It may be shiny - but it is NOT fantastic.
Secondly - It may have been "virtually untouched" since May of 1962 but certainly was mutilated prior.
Lastly - replacing the barrel with a post war one and cutting the grip frame is a bit more than a "tune up"!

That 6.5" in the box might be worth $8K in the near future. That 3.5", maybe never.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

Exactly Rgm36 ! And combine that with this ......

You can trust our descriptions, our knowledge and our expertise. We have been collecting and dealing in this hobby for over 30 years and have a proven reputation to protect.

.....and I don’t see how anyone can defend this as an ethical sale. I guess that’s just my opinion but I don’t see it changing.

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S&WHF 483 , S&WCA 1699

I'm thinking the same. That add took a lot of planning and rewriting.
I may be new, but I'm aware of "the boys".
I thought it would be a possible source in a few years for a "collectable revolver".
Well, that's out.
I believe in calling a spade a spade.
That add is very decieving, if not an outright lie.
My novice, not worth spit opinion.

Just wait till the gun gets evaluated for ins purposes and appraised. And the buyer learns the truth.

Guys, without going over my previous thread, the seller does have a steller reputation and his policy has always been if you are not happy with your purchase then return the item. Might be carefull about impuning someone's integrity without knowing all the facts, but it is a free country so be my guest.

It sure sounds like a passel of y'all never been to an auction......

The auction broker is working for the seller/client....

For all we know the buyer may have had a special connection to that revolver.


**
I was at an auction once where the feller next to me was fanning the
cigar smoke of the man seated in front of him with a sale program...

After the hammer fell,
I sed to the fanner, "I didn't think that pen of cattle was worth a hundred grand...
But, you must have, you bid it all the way to the end!"

.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

If you were one of those people who have 50 million invested and are getting just a 2% return on your money you would need to blow that 8k every 3 days just to keep the return spent.Some people have enough money that they just don't have to care.

^^^^^^
Right there it is......I found out as a young man to never try to
judge how deep another man's pockets are compared to my own.

Never judge another man's motive for what he buys or sells....


I went with my father and my grand paw to a land sale one time.
There was a parcel of 10 sections (6400 acres.)up for auction.
My paw thought we could use it if it didn't bring too awful much.

Everyone is standing around talking and I'm trying to figger out or
guess who might be bidding and who or what might take place.

About that time this old Chevy car pulls up and this old feller
wearing overall and a sweat stained straw hat gets out and
walks over and has a private conversion with my grand father.

By the looks of him I didn't think the ol feller could buy his own dinner, let alone this track of land.

To make a long story short, my paw starting the bidding at what I thought would surely buy it.
The ol man in the overalls never said a word till my grand paw shook his head no to the auctioneer,
that he was done at 1.2....

The old man in the overalls picked up the bidding and ran er all the way to the end.
He bought the whole shooting match for one and three quarter million dollars, cash.

The auctioneer walked up to shake hands with the new owner,
saying well, "Mr. Earl, you'll probably have the whole world before it's over with!"
The old man replied, "I don't want the whole world...Just want what joins me."

.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

I've stayed on the sidelines of this discussion for several days, but thought it time for me to chime in. I too watched the referenced GB auction and was surprised at the final auction price. I have purchased a bunch of pre-war 357s and at times, I have paid a lot in a public auction for something that I wanted. Here on the forum I have been publicly questioned as to "why I paid so much", so I thought I'd share my perspective on the auction being discussed in this thread.

1) It is an auction folks! People often pay more in an auction environment (sometimes a lot more) than they would if something was for sale at a fixed price - there are tons of examples of this occurring. When ego gets involved, good judgement often departs.

2) The Photos are a Critical Component, if not THE Critical Component of "the Description" when bidding on or purchasing an unusual firearm over the internet. The photos with this auction listing were Outstanding and highlighted every single flaw on this gun. Clearly photographed were the rounded edges of the refinished gun, the buffed screw heads here and there, the dished roll marks, the renumbered butt, the filled lanyard hole, the post war barrel, the post war ejector rod, the uneven bluing, the grips that did not fit that well, etc...

3) If someone were relying only on the written portion of the description, I could sympathize with those that expressed concern about what they deem to be inadequate disclosure of the originality of this RM. HOWEVER, my guess is that all of us who watched that auction (including the two bidders that ran the price "up the flagpole"), when we first saw it, we immediately scrolled down to each of the 20+ high resolution, high quality, well lighted photos that showed the gun from every angle, and we looked carefully at the gun. Then we probably all scrolled through the photos from the bottom to the top and looked at them all again. Then we glanced at the written description, to confirm that it agreed with what we had seen, at which point, we scrolled up and pushed the "watch" button to make sure it was on our list.

4) Last point. The BIDDER/BUYER is responsible for knowing what they are doing when they push the bid button and agree to part with their hard earned cash. This is especially true if someone is willing to pay $8K+ for a gun. If a bidder/buyer is uncertain or has questions or doesn't know enough about a particular firearm, the safe bet is for them to hold off, learn more, then play on the next one that comes along... "knowledge is power".

Will the buyer recoup his money on this one if he were needing to sell it in the near future? Probably not. But someone willing to pay $8K is not taking grocery money to pay for these items. My guess is that it is a hobby (like it is for many of us) and he liked, (really liked) the gun. Will he have some regrets - probably. Especially if he reads this thread. BUT I would guess that all of us who have bought "enough" guns or any other unique asset for that matter, have some regrets over a purchase or two. That is part of life and part of the education that we continue to experience... sometimes "life's tuition" is expensive.

I hope that the Buyer is happy and that he enjoys his purchase.

My $0.47 (inflation adjusted)

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

To add to what has been said, auctions and gun people are weird.

Years ago a competing pawn shop to mine used to buy fairly large lots of police confiscated guns. They would cull the good stuff for the shelves then have an auction and sell the rest. I would often times see people at the auction that would not pay the asking price for the guns in my racks but would pay 20-30% more at the auction. Saw it too many times to be a coincidence and on stuff that was certainly not schill type bidding (Ruger 10/22' and Marlin 60's)