.357 Magnum Transition

hibbs · #1 05-07-2021, 10:12 AM

I bought this revolver almost a year ago and now wonder if it is really a transitional. It has all matching #. The cut in the ejector housing. The barrel ejector knob. The flat hammer. The pre-war magna grips. What throw me is the little later serial number, from what is listed in the Standard Catalog. The factory letter is a little vague. It has been refinished, as many of the old police guns have. Views from the experts, please.

Richard

lestert357 · #2 05-07-2021, 10:27 AM

Characteristics of the Post-War .357 Magnum Transitional Revolvers:

- Pre-War “long action” trigger system and hammer (standard or humpback) with concentric grooves on the sides of the hammer.
- No “REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.” marking on the back of the hammer or trigger as found on the Pre-War Magnums.
- Large ejector rod knob and corresponding cutout in the ejector rod shroud.
- Pre-War frame (slightly longer in the grip portion of the frame) with exposed pins/studs (hammer and rebound spring) on the left side - on later models the pin/stud was machined flush with the side of the frame.
- Usually a one line “MADE IN U.S.A.” on the right side of the frame.
- Pre-War barrel with the rib normally cut flush with the end of the barrel, however on S71964 the rib was slightly recessed exactly like the Pre-War Magnums.
- Post-War micrometer-click rear sight.
- Fitted with Post-War Magna grips with Post-War medallions cut for the larger Pre-War grip frame (S71964 grips appear to be “pre-production” target grips with Post-War medallions).
- Serial number is prefixed with an “S” (signifies the incorporation of the improved hammer block safety).
- Shipped in either a Pre-War blue picture box or the Post-War gold box generally with the nickel plated SAT.

Above list courtesy of RKmesa with a couple of additions from me when I owned S71964, now in RKmesa’s collection. One obvious transitional feature missing on your example is the long action trigger system with concentric grooves on the hammer sides. Yours appears to have the short action trigger system implemented in 1950. Nevertheless a very neat gun that does appear to have some transitional characteristics!

JayCeeNC · #3 05-07-2021, 10:42 AM

It's not a "transition" model, it's one of the very early Model of 1950 short action guns. The narrow "speed hammer" was only used in early 1950 shipped guns soon replaced with the Semi Target hammer.
It has the older large ejector rod knob, probably used until they ran out of them and used the newer narrower version.
Do the grips have the matching serial number inside the right panel? Those are pre-war Magnas, and may have been "left over" pre-war parts as most of the guns in that serial number range used the new "sharp shoulder" Magnas.

DGNY · #4 05-07-2021, 01:10 PM

That is a very handsome 357 magnum. Thanks, OP, for showing it, and to others for describing those minutely detailed characteristics of the era.

The grips alone are most classy and would invite modern cloning for the rest of us!

smithra_66 · #5 05-07-2021, 01:30 PM

Very nice gun. I would bet that the grips do not serial to the rest of the gun though....

I believe the transition guns ended around 1948 and this one definitely seems to be about 1950.

waffles · #6 05-07-2021, 01:33 PM

Don't care the model, originality, or whatever, that is a fantastic looker.

handejector · #7 05-07-2021, 03:21 PM

Here ya go-

.357 Magnum Transition-001-jpg

fleabus101 · #8 05-09-2021, 02:11 PM

Hello Lee
Thats a great picture of your post war
357 transitional Magnum..Luv that one alot😁
Luv the pre war throw back front sight very very much..
I'll have to settle for my later 1953 short action post '50 357 3.5 model w KB Ropers w box..I luv the post war early 357 Magnum Smiths.. Thanks for letting us see that beauty !
Best Randy..