Just ordered my 1st factory letter. How long does it normally take to get the letter?
The gun is one of the 1st model .357 magnum with a registration number. Have heard it called Registered Magnum, don't know what it is officially called.

One of the SWHF leadership will probably be along shortly, but there was a recent statement that the wait time for a letter of authenticity is about 3 months.

I believe this gun was simply called “.357 Magnum” but it is commonly called a Registered Magnum due to the certificate process.

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Alan
SWCA 2023, SWHF 220

Thank you sir for the information

If you want to post pictures/numbers here there are a lot of members who can tell you quite a bit about it. Welcome to the forum.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

I sent my first in on 9/26/2017; still waiting
My second one (in 2018) took 23 days
My 3rd one (in 2020) took 117 days; the check cleared in 20 days.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I'm out of town, so do not have the gun to look at. The REG number is 657, but do not know the serial number. It is a 5 inch barrel with a McGivern gold bead front site. I know the grips are not original.

From what I hear Dr. Jinks has a pretty heavy back load on letters right now. I sent my last request in early December 2020, letter was in my mailbox Friday 3/26/2021. It’s like Christmas all over again opening those letters!

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Tim
SWCA #2697

SN is 47138, REG number 657. Any info appreciated.

I have two that shipped a year apart, in August 1935 and 1936. If I do the math and figure the difference, divide by 12, and add the per month estimate to the 1935 gun, it would indicate your gun was shipped in January 1936. Now, that is assuming that guns shipped first in first out, which was not generally the case, and that the same number of guns were made each month. So, in reality, it's just a wild guess. Only a letter will tell you when and where it shipped and sometimes to who.

They are great guns and much sought after. Congratulations on your ownership!

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

Sorry, no info in my database on RM 657.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

Mailed the check Dec 5th, cashed a few weeks later. Still waiting for the letter.

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Kenny
Endeavor to persevere.

Well, 657 is a first year gun----most likely built in November---also most likely shipped in November (but don't be betting any big money on that). My most recent was also a first year gun (643)---one of three identical units (643, 644, and 645) ordered by the same man. They shipped on the 19th of December, and the back and forth chit-chat was such that you'd figure he was getting more than a little anxious about getting them by Christmas. We supposed he was a father ordering presents for himself and two sons---or perhaps daughters with a fondness for the great outdoors. All three guns were sighted in with Magnum ammunition at 25 yards. Beyond that I don't believe 643 was ever fired, or saw the light of day outside of a sock drawer.

The guns had been ordered with what were the only grips available at the time, with grip adapter attached. Then he very apparently got wind of the new Magna grips, and changed his order. That made for a delay, but it figures the guns made it to Chicago in plenty of time for Santa Claus.

Ralph Tremaine

For reference, here is a photo of REG 649. It shipped December 16, 1935:





The brochure for the pre-war .357 Magnum can give you a lot of information about the gun in general...

















I hope that you figure out how to post pics, as it sounds like you have a nice collection of fine S&Ws.

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Thanks for the great info. And the instruction manual. Working on
being able to post pictures.

Pay particular attention to the sight adjusting/locking procedure contained in the printed matter. Done correctly you'll have the finest, most reliable sight S&W ever produced. Done incorrectly you won't.

Ralph Tremaine

[QUOTE=Targets Guy;141110172]I sent my first in on 9/26/2017; still waiting
If you haven't received this letter in 3 plus years, why haven't you asked us? Maybe it got lost in the mail! Did I cash your check?

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Don Mundell SWCA LM614

I have one been waiting about 6 months. Is that too recent to worry about being lost?

Probably, did we cash your check?

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Don Mundell SWCA LM614

Yes, have to wait until I get home to get exact date

Can I get a Factory Letter on a 1917 Army?

Read this.

Letter for 1917 U.S Gov't model?

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

Thank You Kevin !!

I should probably get a letter on my TL .44. The previous owner said he had one (was his father's gun), but never came through with it. He claimed it showed shipped to somewhere in Louisiana and possibly directly to the man whose name is engraved on the sideplate.

Rob