Pre-War Transitional 357 Magnas

[SAFireman]

If you own serial number S 65917, I have your stocks.

I found these while looking in my stash for something else. They are for the pre-war longer N frame.

PM me if you own this gun.

 

[Muley Gil]

If you own serial number S 65917, I have your stocks.

I found these while looking in my stash for something else. They are for the pre-war longer N frame.

PM me if you own this gun.

An "S" serial number prefix indicates it was built AFTER WW II. But yes, the grip frame is the same as the pre WW II N frame.

 

[SAFireman]

An "S" serial number prefix indicates it was built AFTER WW II. But yes, the grip frame is the same as the pre WW II N frame.

The 'S' is not stamped on the stocks. I presume that they are post war by their shape and construction. You are correct, they feature the longer pre-war frame length. I guess that they could have been on a 357 that just bore the number and no prefix? Transitional stuff drives the collector group nuts. Never say never with S&W

 

[Muley Gil]

The 'S' is not stamped on the stocks. I presume that they are post war by their shape and construction. You are correct, they feature the longer pre-war frame length. I guess that they could have been on a 357 that just bore the number and no prefix? Transitional stuff drives the collector group nuts. Never say never with S&W

AFAIK, S&W did not stamp the prefix on the inside of their grips. Are you sure these are off of a .357? All of the N frame revolvers were in the same serial number range, except for the 1917s, which had their own series of SNs.

 

[SAFireman]

AFAIK, S&W did not stamp the prefix on the inside of their grips. Are you sure these are off of a .357? All of the N frame revolvers were in the same serial number range, except for the 1917s, which had their own series of SNs.

I think that the very first guns produced after the war were 357's, but I would defer to the experts.

 

[RKmesa]

Scott:

May be just as likely that they came on a 38/44 HD or Outdoorsman (there were a ton more Transitional ODs and HDs made than there were of the Transitional Magnums). I think that Terry Lester has a great list of the post war transitional Magnums and will know if this SN is in the range, but I'm not sure the same kind of list exists for the 38/44s. For reference, I own SN S65930 - a well-used Transitional 38/44 Heavy Duty, that shipped in July 1946 and was bored out to chamber 357 Magnum rounds sometime after leaving the factory...







It's not so pretty, but still a fun gun and only 13 SNs higher than your grips.

 

[lestert357]

A total of 123 post war .357 Magnum Transitionals are currently identified on factory invoices as follows: 1 was shipped on 12/5/1946 (S71642), 2 were shipped in 1947, 112 were shipped in 1948, and 8 were shipped in 1949.

Only 73 of the 123 are identified by serial number (some listed by quantity only).

All of the 73 known serial numbers (extant and/or documented) for long action post war .357 Magnum Transitionals are in the S71XXX or S72XXX serial number range.

 

[rct269]

So that's what "a well used" gun looks like, huh?!

Could'a fooled me----looks a lot more well than used!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[22hipower]

These are a little higher SN (S 67385) but also a transitional HD, 1946.

Jeff
SWCA #1457


https://flic.kr/p/2pBjvae https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[RKmesa]

So that's what "a well used" gun looks like, huh?!

Could'a fooled me----looks a lot more well than used!

Ralph Tremaine

You're right, the photos show it nicer than I remembered it, and I think a little nicer than it is in person. Perhaps my memory was tainted because it was bored out to take the 357 AND the 357 was stamped on the barrel...

 

[raljr1]

So that's what "a well used" gun looks like, huh?!

Could'a fooled me----looks a lot more well than used!

Ralph Tremaine

I was thinking the same thing. Richard's well used guns look kinda like my safe queens.

 

[rct269]

You're right, the photos show it nicer than I remembered it, and I think a little nicer than it is in person. Perhaps my memory was tainted because it was bored out to take the 357 AND the 357 was stamped on the barrel...

Yeah, that .357 stamping made my teeth hurt---talk about no class!

Ralph Tremaine