Pre-war 357 Magnums were a custom affair. For the $60 purchase price you could order your revolver with many options, one of which was a barrel length, which was offered in 1/4" increments ranging in length from 8 3/4" down to 3 1/2". The one exception to the 1/4" rule was the 8 3/8" barrel, which was the maximum length allowed for USRA matches. It is estimated that there were fewer than 40 RM's that left the factory in this length.
I have been trying to assemble a collection of pinned and recessed 8 3/8" 357 Magnums of all engineering changes, starting with a 8 3/8" Registered Magnum and ending with an 8 3/8" Model 27-2. This has been, and continues to be, a challenging, but enjoyable pursuit.
I'm still pursuing a couple of the engineering changes in 8 3/8", but several months ago I was drawn a Registered Magnum advertised to have an 8 1/4" barrel. There were estimated to be less than 10 RM's that left the factory with an 8 1/4" barrel. After several calls with the seller and having him measure and remeasure the barrel several times, it was decided that the barrel length was 8 5/16", right in between 8 1/4" and 8 3/8". The price was negotiable and we finally settled upon a price that would allow me to be happy with a length that lettered at 8 1/4" or 8 3/8" and the gun was shipped to my FFL.
During my three day review period, Roy Jinks confirmed that the gun shipped with an 8 3/8" barrel (membership in the SWCA has its privileges
) and I had filled a hole in my 8 3/8" collection.
Yesterday, I received my factory letter from Mr. Jinks confirming the 8 3/8" barrel. REG 2394 left the factory on May 20, 1937 and was shipped to a Dr. A. A Thomas in Indianapolis, IN. It was shipped with a King red post FS on a King reflector base, a King #112 RS, and checkered Magna grips. Also noted in the letter is the fact that when completed, the revolver was sent to Mr. Roper to be fitted with an extra pair of Roper stocks. Neither the Factory Magnas, nor the Ropers were with the gun when I took ownership. Luckily I happened to have a spare set of beautiful Keith Brown pre-war Magnas (that fit like they were custom fitted to this gun) and a set of beautiful Keith Brown pre-war Ropers that also look great on the gun.
So now, after the windy narrative above (for those of you that endured it), here are a couple of photos of REG 2394:
PS - The box in the photos is one of the several long boxes that I own and it did not ship with the gun.
Enjoy,
I have been trying to assemble a collection of pinned and recessed 8 3/8" 357 Magnums of all engineering changes, starting with a 8 3/8" Registered Magnum and ending with an 8 3/8" Model 27-2. This has been, and continues to be, a challenging, but enjoyable pursuit.
I'm still pursuing a couple of the engineering changes in 8 3/8", but several months ago I was drawn a Registered Magnum advertised to have an 8 1/4" barrel. There were estimated to be less than 10 RM's that left the factory with an 8 1/4" barrel. After several calls with the seller and having him measure and remeasure the barrel several times, it was decided that the barrel length was 8 5/16", right in between 8 1/4" and 8 3/8". The price was negotiable and we finally settled upon a price that would allow me to be happy with a length that lettered at 8 1/4" or 8 3/8" and the gun was shipped to my FFL.
During my three day review period, Roy Jinks confirmed that the gun shipped with an 8 3/8" barrel (membership in the SWCA has its privileges
) and I had filled a hole in my 8 3/8" collection. Yesterday, I received my factory letter from Mr. Jinks confirming the 8 3/8" barrel. REG 2394 left the factory on May 20, 1937 and was shipped to a Dr. A. A Thomas in Indianapolis, IN. It was shipped with a King red post FS on a King reflector base, a King #112 RS, and checkered Magna grips. Also noted in the letter is the fact that when completed, the revolver was sent to Mr. Roper to be fitted with an extra pair of Roper stocks. Neither the Factory Magnas, nor the Ropers were with the gun when I took ownership. Luckily I happened to have a spare set of beautiful Keith Brown pre-war Magnas (that fit like they were custom fitted to this gun) and a set of beautiful Keith Brown pre-war Ropers that also look great on the gun.
So now, after the windy narrative above (for those of you that endured it), here are a couple of photos of REG 2394:
PS - The box in the photos is one of the several long boxes that I own and it did not ship with the gun.
Enjoy,
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