A Non Registered Magnum

[Docneeley]

Thought I would share this nice revolver with the forum. A gentleman brought this in to my shop to see if I could tell him anything about it. He had just purchased it. I was excited, to say the least. It's what Supica Calls a non-registered 357 Magnum in his book. I had John Treakle, a long time S&W collector, and contributor to the Supica book, look at it. He said it was a "transition model". Wish it was mine, but he was nice enough to let me take some pictures of it and I thought I would share them here. The previous owner erroneously thought it was a model 27. Enjoy

 

[handejector]

Nice gun.
However, it is not a Transition gun. It is simply a Pre War Non-Registered Magnum.
What we call a Transition Magnum is a Post War gun that has the Long Action with the new sliding hammer block. The serial numbers have an S prefix.

 

[bigmtnman]

As Ralph Cramden would say .....Homina homina homina !!

 

[M_conrad_0311]

I bet you were excited! I once took an old triple lock into about 5 different shops before there was a keep that knew what it was. It is good to have folks that know what to hey are looking at. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Venom6]

I simply study at the feet of the rest of you guys, but I seem to recall there were actually fewer "non-registered Magnums" than registered. Waay cool gun, and good for you for being enthusiastic for the guy.

 

[Dino44]

Wow, what amazing condition that gun is in. Thanks for sharing! The next time I make a trip to PA, I will bring my recently acquired registered magnum for you to see Doc. It's not quite as nice as the non-registered magnum you just shared, but it is pretty close.

 

[bill-in-texas]

Beautiful!

I'm glad you had the foresight to take good pictures.
I think I would've stood in stunned amazement -until it was too late.

-Bill

 

[lestert357]

Nice gun.
However, it is not a Transition gun. It is simply a Pre War Non-Registered Magnum.
What we call a Transition Magnum is a Post War gun that has the Long Action with the new sliding hammer block. The serial numbers have an S prefix.

And the Transitionals have the micrometer-click rear sight…..

Photo credit - Rock Island Auction

 

[Hawg Rider]

If I were you Doc, I'd make sure that I kept that gentleman's contact info. It doesn't sound like he's a serious collector and he only paid the price for a Model 27. He may want to sell that beautiful NRM revolver in the near future, and it could end up being yours!

 

[RKmesa]

Thought I would share this nice revolver with the forum. A gentleman brought this in to my shop to see if I could tell him anything about it.

Enjoy

Thanks for taking the time to share that pre-war Magnum with the rest of us. I very much enjoyed it!

 

[Docneeley]

Thanks

Thanks to all who posted.
He came back Saturday with more questions and I printed out the application for a letter from Mr. Jinks. He currently plans to bring it back after he gets the letter. We'll see.
I'll have to ask John Treakle what he based his opinion that it was a transition gun on.
Thanks again.

 

[DWalt]

I believe strongly that the nebulous term "Transitional" should be expunged from the S&W vocabulary as it causes far more confusion than clarity. Personally, I will never use it in regard to describing guns, as everyone seems to have their own individual interpretation of its meaning.