This story starts back in 1995, I went to buy my first private purchase rifle. I went pick up my gun after a breif conversation with the owner, he invited me in an introduced himself and ask if I had time for a drink.Sure I said and had one of the most educating lessons on firearms, this gentleman took time with a 23 year old young man who had lots of ?. I said good by and never expected to see him again. 1996 I injured myself at work and to fill my time with something I could do I took up bullseye shooting, and I came across this fellow quit a bit.2002 I invited him to a local match, but he said he didn't have the right guns, I said do you have a 22 & a 38, he repied yes so he came to the tournament. I was a line officer and was checking the line and I observed a vey well made S&W 357 at his station, not really thinking to much about it.2005 my good friend passed away ,and the gunstore I helped out at was asked to sell his firearm collection. It took 4 full size trucks to haul back to the shop,a month later I noticed this S&W 357 still sitting in the safe, I asked the owner of the store if it was for sale, yes but its very nice so the estate needs to get the price of a new model 27.I bought the gun as it was my friends and beutifull!!! 2008 shotshow I attended my freind John encouraged me to talk to Roy Jinks, I stood to the side waiting for 10 min. when Roy excused himelf from the fellow he was talking to and ask (how can I help you)I introduced myself and told him about the gun I had but that I couldn't find his book in Canada for sale. Roy told me to come back in an hour, I came back and he said give me your bag, so I did (didn;t think he would steal all my gun cataloges!)he went away for about a minute and came back to give me my bag back, we conversed for a few more minutes then left. John said look in your bag, I opened it up and there was a brand new copy of Roys book on S&W history, what a gentleman.The book verified that I did have a RM, inside the book was a card from Roy saying I should send in for a factory letter.May 7, 2009 I recieved my letter giving day of shipping from factory as May 1,1935 almost 74 years to the day the gun left the factory. Gun details- barrell length 8-3/4",Partridge front sight, square notch rear sight, blue finish, and checkered walnut Magna grips with grip adapter, serial # 4577X, registration # 36. If your interested in pictures, Roy has a set I sent him with the request for the factory letter, with my permision to use the pictures as he wished. I hope this inspires others to not give up looking for these forgoten tresures! Dale in Canada

Welcome to the Forum

Great story.....................BUT, where are the pictures?

Great story, Dale. Can you post any of the pictures here? I'd love to see them.

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Barry, youngest son of Claud

Welcome to the forum.

Who got #36? I'd love to see pics too!

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"I also cook."

please post pics!! i have yet to add a RM to my collection, hope to some day.

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George Jamison

Hi, Welcome to the forum. Great story! But I will warn you you are going to be getting nasty grams until you do post pics. All of here are not doing it to be rude, we are just hooked on gun porn...LOL We are picture whores........So that being said...I appoligise in advanced.

WHERE ARE THE PICTURES MAN!!!! WE NEED PICTURES...ESPECIALLY OF A REG. MAG. UUUUUGGGGGG....LOL

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M.J.Hanna

Great story about a wonderful gun and yes we would like to see pictures

Welcome to the forum! It's funny how things go at times and how chance encounters can lead you places. Definitly post pic's!

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Stay safe people!

Wow !!! What a great story!!!! Thanks for sharing with us.

Like already mentioned in the above posts, pictures would really be great.

P.S. Welcome to the forum.

Don

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Laus Deo! <><

Wow. We've got to get some photos of this!

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Vaya con Dios

And yes please post pics. Pics of the letter would be cool too.

Patridge not partridge.

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No life story has happy end.

Thanks all for your responces, even if you correct my bad grammer!!! I told you that Roy Jinks has the pictures, just wondering if he shared them with any of you fellows? If not I will borrow my Dads camera and try to post, not to technically capable on the computer yet, regards Dale in Canada. PS my RM was shipped to a company called Iver Johnson Sporting Goods in Boston.Mass , does anybody Know if there are records available to see who purchased this gun(wishing very much!!)And no it is not the gun company who made shotguns!!

I think that Roy is pretty careful with the photos that he receives. Not sure that he shares them very often...

I also have an 8.75" RM (a few years newer than yours 11/38). I look forward to your photos - as the long tube 357's are becoming some of my favorites...


BTW - welcome to the Forum!

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Pictures you send to Roy are strictly between you and him. He wouldn't share them anyone. Anyway, he wouldn't have time to share all those he gets even if were not a breach of confidentiality.

It's your decision to share pics with the rest of the forum, so I'm afraid you'll have to give in and post them yourself.

It's sort of like Pandora's box. I'm afraid you opened it and now you have to pay the price! :-)

Looking forward to seeing the pics.

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Dave Ballantyne

You misunderstood I gave Roy Jinks full permission to use the pictures in anyway he wants, but your right I guess I will have to learn to post pictures, this is a good time as any!!Hope to get this done in a few days,regards Dale in Canada

Great story, Dale!

RM #36 is pretty early, too, which is nice. Don't recall an earlier one being posted on the forum. Look forward to seeing it!

(And, welcome to the forum! )

Great story, great gun. Congratulations.

Two questions-
Who did your gun ship to?

You say the letter says "checkered walnut Magna grips with grip adapter". Please explain that a bit. Normally, we don't see magnas with a grip adapter. That is also a bit early for magnas.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

To awnser your 2 ?
1- letter states checkered walnut Magna grips with grip adapter attached.This revolver was sighted in with .38 S&W Special Mid Range Wad Cutter ammunition at 20 yards using a 6 o'clock hold.
2- registerered magnum # 36 shipped from our factory on May,1,1935 and delivered to Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Co., Boston, MA
And I still have not figured out how to post pictures, so my friend is coming over next week to help me do this ,so just hold on all you gun porn collectors

Hi Dale in Canada.
I was curious how you are able to have a handgun in Canada. I thought they were Verboten. I always travel armed that's why I will not visit Canada.

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Fe Feo Fuerte

My understanding is handgns with bbls at least 4" are legal in Canada, although I believe they must be registered. Not sure what their carry laws are, if any.

The only reason to own a handgun in Canada is 1- for the purpose of targetshooting, wich means you must belong to a registered shooting club, and are allowed only to travel from shooting range to your residence. 2- you are allowed to carry a firearm if you are a wildlife photographer,miner/prospector,work in the forestry field and trappers.You only can discharge your firearm if you are endangered of your life from wildlife etc. etc.
We are very much restricted in the use of handguns here in Canada, please don't take your rights there in the USA for granted, fight tooth and nail to keep and bear arms.We here in Canada are sick and tired of Liberal taking away our guns a little at a time.I have a saying criminals will not obey any law only the law abiding citizen follows these as we are of no danger to the public, therefore the goverment will only take my guns away from me in my dead cold hands, and start a war they will not be able to stop if this day comes to fruition.regards your northern neighbor and allie!!!

Thanks for the answers.
Does it still wear magnas and a grip adapter?

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

zywina
very well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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George Jamison

Hey, he did say it was 'registered!'

Onomea,

Actually it is 105 mm, just a touch longer than 4". When I shot competition in Canada, I had to leave my 4" at home and borrow an Mountie's "grandfathered" 4 incher. I also had to leave my 10+ mags behind and borrow 10 rounders for the auto matches. The shooters in Canada were very accomodating to me, and the paperwork and Canada Border Services hassel wasn't too bad as I had everything squared away before going in.

Handejector unfornunatly it does not have the Magna grips and adapter, im going to buy a repro from smith for the Magna's and hopefully someone here nose where I can find the grip adapter in a reproduction,thanks for the comments about our gunlaws in Canada, no we cannot carry handguns ever!!! to own a 32/25 calibre or gun with a barrell length 4" or shorter you must have had one in your possesion before 1995, if not to bad to ever own a nice 4",3-1/2",3",2-1/2",2",1-1/2" S&W, so I can only collect and shoot guns over 4" not including.Take care my American Allies, Dale in Canada, PS yes im working on the photos of my RM this weekend.

First of all, welcome aboard. That was a good story and it is good to hear good people are still around. What part of the True North are you from?

Also of interest would be the story of your friend that owned it as it sounds like he was a man of excellent character and taste. I suspect he was a veteran of WWII and if he passed on any remembrances of his time in service. I always like to read or hear a veteran's experiences as each is unique.

My friend Jim was an avid hunter and rifle collector, he was a little young to be in the service, but worked his life In a Bonbardier plant (where they made hurricane during the war) (railway cars to present)all his life and unfortunatly died shortly after retirement, PS pictures will be posted in the next 2 weeks so hold on!!

Still waiting for pics

Member zywina last posted nearly 6 years ago. Hopefully he is still out there enjoying his RM.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220