Registered Magnum Questions

[DARE]

When did the 8 3/8" barrel became available? In a Roy Jinks article, he said a dispute arose in 1936 over the legality of the 8 3/4" revolver in the USRA and NRA 'Any Revolver Match'. The S&W 1936 Magnum flyer stated the 'Any Revolver Match' allows 10" for combined barrel and cylinder. This requires a barrel of 8 3/8" on the .357 Magnum Revolver. So probably 1936. RM Vivas is researching the first 500 RMs. He says there is one 8 3/8" barrel in that group. So maybe 1935.
Have read that all barrels started out as 8 3/4" and were shortened to order. On a finished gun the barrel extends about 1/8" beyond the rib. So I guess the barrel is cut and then the rib is cut a little more and the sight installed. Why not have the rib go to the end of the barrel?
I think it is for appearance. The other pre-war guns had the sight set back about 1/8" from the end of the barrel. At least on the ones that I own.
On the post-war guns I have that have ribs, the rib and the sight goes to the end of the barrel.
Roy has the KCPD guns on the non-registered magnum list. Did they have registration numbers stamped on the guns? Seems I have heard a couple of different stories on this.
Roy says there were 180 frames with registration numbers that were never issued or sold. What happened to them?
144 known nickel guns. Three have nickel hammer and trigger. Was this done on other models?
Two have nickel cylinder, trigger and hammer only. So blue guns with some nickel parts. Was this done on other models?
Thanks as always for the continuing education.

 

[lestert357]

David, in answer to your KCPD question:
The serial number ranges for the 3 large shipments to the KCPD are:
09/07/39 shipment of 250 guns: 59056 - 59899 (REG 4987 - REG 5236)
01/30/40 shipment of 200 guns: 60780 - 61101 (no REG numbers)
07/03/40 shipment of 26 guns: 61936 - 62003 (no REG numbers)

KCPD also placed an order for .357 Magnums that were shipped on December 17, 1936. It was for 6 Magnums, 5 were with 5 inch barrels and McGivern gold bead front sights; these units were serial# 49805 Reg# 1742; serial# 49810 Reg# 1743; serial# 49822 Reg# 1741; serial# 50053 Reg# 1739; serial# 50076 Reg# 1740, and 1 with a 6 inch barrel and McGivern gold bead front sight serial# 49806 Reg# 1744.

 

[DARE]

Thanks, Terry. The guns Roy mentioned were in the 59609-59819 range. Except 59624, reg #5001. 210 guns. Sounds like they were part of the 250 gun shipment. So they did have registration numbers, but were considered at least by Roy to be non-registered magnums.

 

[80sgyrene]

I too believe the rib length was dictated by aesthetics.
At least it looks good to these eyes.
I find it much more appealing then the flush ribs of later years.

 

[Mike C2]

Guns shipped blued with some nickel parts are called Pintos, and yes, they were factory and available on different models other than the 357.

 

[lestert357]

The guns Roy mentioned were in the 59609-59819 range. Except 59624, reg #5001. 210 guns. Sounds like they were part of the 250 gun shipment. So they did have registration numbers, but were considered at least by Roy to be non-registered magnums.

I’m not familiar with what you are referencing, but my REG 5008, which is part of the 250 gun shipment on 09/07/39, is identified as a Registered Magnum by Roy in the factory letter he prepared for it. I understand the nuances associated with some Registered Magnums not having registration certificates, and apparently some police orders not even getting the card to return for the certificate, but as far as I’m concerned if a gun has a registration number annotated on it then it is a Registered Magnum.

 

[DARE]

Terry, here is the chart from the article. Ralph Tremaine sent this to me. I think it is Roy's article that was printed in the Journal in Winter 1989.

If I read it right it is saying that 210 guns shipped to KCPD in the serial number range 59609-59819 are non-registered magnums.

 

[Doc44]

I am certain if a KCPD officer requested a registration certificate for their .357, S&W would have provided one.

Bill

 

[lestert357]

If I read it right it is saying that 210 guns shipped to KCPD in the serial number range 59609-59819 are non-registered magnums.[/IMG]

What I can tell you with certainty is that those 210 .357 Magnums (and the other 40 .357 Magnums in that same 9/7/1939 shipment to the KCPD) ALL had a REG number stamped on them. Whether you consider them Registered Magnums or not is up to you.

 

[kwill1911]

The terms Registered and Non-registered were not used by S&W. They were created later by collectors. I discussed this years ago with Roy when we were compiling the database. Roy said that many of the big shipments to law enforcement agencies did not have the registration cards included because they did not expect the departments to ask for certificates. He also agreed that if it has the number it is proper to call it a "Registered Magnum."

 

[DARE]

Thanks, Terry. My question was did the guns have registration numbers. The answer is yes.
I agree with you. If the gun has a registration number, I would call it a registered magnum.

 

[rct269]

My knee-jerk reaction to this nickel hammer and trigger business was it didn't happen.

Then I checked the book, and wrong again! Looks like there were five with nickel hammer and trigger, and some of those had other nickel bits, or whatever "Special Custom Work" may entail.

It's proven once again there ain't no accounting for some folks' tastes! And why not? "You pays your money, and you takes your pick!"

Ralph Tremaine