Which one is the real Patton .357 Registered Magnum?

[PALADIN85020]

I found this picture on the internet. It shows the authentic .357 Registered Magnum carried by Gen. George S. Patton Jr. during WWII, together with a look-alike put together for the movies. Patton purchased his pistol in 1935. It had a 3.5" barrel with a gold bead front sight and the S&W grip adopter. He customized it with ivory stocks, scrimshawed with his intertwined initials. The caption on this picture on the internet was incorrect as to which is the authentic Patton revolver.

Trivia questions for the day? Which is the real Patton revolver? Also, upon what do you base your conclusion?

 

[handejector]

top is real one.---
Location of initials and the muzzle contour.

 

[ingmansinc]

This is a wild guess, but I think the bottom picture is the real deal. My Reason is the wear on the grips seem to be more consistent with the wear on the revolver.

 

[Aussie44]

No,Handejector is right.Here is a pic from the museum.

Ken

 

[Damn Yankee]

I'll pick the bottom cause it has a Smith&Wesson logo.

 

[dmar]

I'll go with the top one, because Lee said it is the one...

 

[PALADIN85020]

To answer my own question: It's the top one. Lee is correct about the muzzle contour. I believe the logo on the authentic revolver is on the left side. The wear on the top handgun is more consistent with holster wear - and Patton's was constantly in his holster. Also note that the ivory stocks have been crafted so that the retaining screw is lower in the stocks, specifically making room for his centered initials. The initials are higher quality than those on the bottom gun, which are comparatively crude, and carved below the screw in standard-pattern stocks. To cinch the final answer, here's a photo from the Patton museum; even the scars on the sideplate appear to match with the upper gun. Sharp eyes, guys!

 

[paladin42]

The top one. It's in the Patton Museum in Fort Knox.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Top one-barrel contour-the registered magnums has the front sight and rib ofset about 1/8 from the muzzle-also note the difference in the barrel shroud there is a more pronounced hump where the ejector rod is housed.

 

[Nightowl]

Anyone know the serial and registration number?

 

[Wyo]

The top one. Front sight setup looks wrong on the bottom one.

 

[murphydog]

Anyone know the serial and registration number?

I recall the numbers are in the SCSW, but don't have it handy.

 

[Art Doc]

I thought the top one was was authentic because the bottom one looks post-war. Am I wrong about that?

 

[opoefc]

The quickest way to tell is the logo. there's no S&W logos on the right side of Reg. Mags. Next would be the phony grip adaptor's contour difference. Then the muzzle being flush with the front sight,a feature not present in Reg. Mags. Does the member who guessed correctly first get a free date with Nancy Pelousi? Ed #15

 

[2152hq]

Did they use a post war barrel on the bottom one? Looks almost like a slight ramp leading up to the front site base. Carved down M27 3 1/2" barrel?

....and put a genuine round headed high polished screw in the side plate behind the trigger guard on that gun. Only a N/O pimp would have a flat headed screw in there like that.



"... a date with Nancy Pelousi? "
Ouch....Just thinking that that actually happened at one point in time makes me ill...

 

[poe]

Well....the one on top has been to war...

 

[jeremyws1]

The grip adapter was the giveaway for me.

 

[RKmesa]

Top is the Real Deal

The quickest way to tell is the logo. there's no S&W logos on the right side of Reg. Mags. Ed #15

RM 2329

Ed: I believe that almost all RM's with Reg numbers greater than 2XXX had the large logo on the Right side. Earlier RM's had the small logo on the left side.

RM 649

The bottom gun in the OP is a prewar 357 frame ("made in USA" on the side plate, prewar RM hammer, prewar rear sight) with what is most likely a post war barrel which has been cut flush as noted above and had a slight ramp and a front sight affixed to the barrel (I think it is a post war barrel because of the "normal" "&" rather than the more pronounced "lazy" "&"). Also, note the lower side plate screw is of the postwar variety that is shorter with the flat head and is found under the grip horn on post war revolvers.

Fun thread!

 

[Jack Flash]

... Which brings up another question. If this was to be offered for sale, would you pass on it being that it is a "lesser condition" example of a Registered Magnum? (-;

Yeah, who wants some old beat up thing like that?

I very vaguely remember something about Patton having the gold bead installed on the front sight(?)

So does anyone think Patton shot only .38 Specials so as to preserve it for future collectors?

 

[peyton]

I often wondered if his son GEN George Patton IV would of like to have his Dad's RM. I was at Fort Hood when he was in charge of the 2AD. It is good that we have such hero's in our nation. This adventure in the middle east will not leave us the momento's like WWII did. Everyone carries the same exact firearms.