Pre War .357 Magnums

[DARE]

Have been learning about these guns. Ralph Tremaine sent me two articles by Roy Jinks with great info. Very generous of him.
My gun has REG number 657. There were 724 guns shipped in 1935. 102 of them in Dec 1935. So most likely my gun was shipped in Dec 1935.
My gun has 5" barrel and McGivern gold bead front sight. 5" barrel was the 2nd most popular length. 1439 6 1/2", 787 5" and 778 6" were produced.
Another way to tell mine is an early gun is the trade mark on the left side of the frame. That changed to the right side in spring of 1937.
The worst thing about my gun are the big not correct grips. Would be interested in some smaller N frame grips. Probably cannot afford correct grips, but something smaller would be an improvement.
Have ordered a letter for my gun, so excited to get that and some more info.

[lestert357]

I recommend that you join the S&W Collectors Association. There are many excellent articles on Pre-War .357 Magnums in both recent and older SWCA Journals that you can order once you join.

Also it’s possible your gun was shipped with service style grips with a Wesson Grip Adapter (either attached or unattached) rather than Magna grips, so you might want to wait until you receive the factory letter before you make a decision on the grips.

Also check out the threads under the Pre-War 357 Magnum heading under the Notable Thread Index

[rct269]

Originally Posted by lestert357

I recommend that you join the S&W Collectors Association. There are many excellent articles on Pre-War .357 Magnums in both recent and older SWCA Journals that you can order once you join. Also it’s possible your gun was shipped with service style grips with a Wesson Grip Adapter (either attached or unattached) rather than Magna grips, so you might want to wait until you receive the factory letter before you make a decision on the grips.

What he said--------about the grips/grip adapter.

Ralph Tremaine

[jlemay69]

Accessories (box, SAT, grips, grip adapters) are available.

You need to know what the pistol shipped with in the way of accessories before you start your search if your goal is to upgrade a collectible Registered Magnum.

If you want to get a comfortable set of grips for a shooter consider Elk Antler Grips from BigMountainMan (a member I have bought grips from)

[Nightowl]

The grips on your gun are diamond targets, which are hard to come by and selling around $300, give or take depending on condition. That is a great looking gun!

[JimmyK1948]

Altamont makes nice replacement grips for S&W Revolvers. They make ones that are very close to original ones. I replaced the ones on a Model 36 and they are almost like originals. I didn’t care for the Hogue grips that came on it.

[RKmesa]

That is a great Magnum!! We look forward to learning more about its history as you get your letter. Here are some examples of the stock options that your gun could have had.

This is the front page of a later brochure showing both options:



This 6" barreled RM shipped in October 1936 with the "regular" (smaller) stocks and a grip adapter. It is one of my nicest RMs:



The "magna" stock option that covers more of the grip frame and the sides of the frame became available in later 1935. This 7" barreled, magna stocked RM shipped in June 1937 and is my most complete package:



Your late 1935 or early 1936 RM could have shipped with either stock option. The advice that you received to wait on your letter before purchasing any stocks, is good advice. Also, the pre war N Frame grip frame and stocks were a bit longer than the post war grip frame. So while post war magna stocks will fit a pre war frame, they will be a bit short (1/16" or so).

Thanks for sharing with the rest of us,