FBI Registered magnum (2666 - 2765)

[caura]

Hello! In an old thread I read that the FBI placed an order in July 1937 for 100 registered 5-inch magnums. Does any member of the forum have information about the history of those weapons and their ultimate fate? Thanks a lot


Hola! En un hilo antiguo leí que el FBI hizo un pedido en julio de 1937 de 100 registered magnums de 5 pulgadas. *Algún miembro del foro tiene información sobre la historia de esas armas y su destino final?. Muchas gracias

 

[quinn]

It is my understanding without any documentation that the FBI destroyed all but a few of those guns. The few they did not destroy were turned over to the shooting range at Quantico.

Individual agents could order their own magnus. I own two that were shipped to individual agents at FBI field offices. One of these was actually ordered by SA Baughman (Hoover's gun guru and inventer of the ramp front sight) and sent to the new agent. AS these guns were the personal property of the agents, some have survived.

I have never heard of any count of the number of the magnus ordered by individual agents.

The top gun was owned by SA Arlin Jones, who after WWII arrested Tokyo Rose in Japan.

The lower gun was owned by SA Frank McGeary who had a long history with the bureau as one of their top murder investigators.

Both of these guns were shipped in blue and later nickel plated by the factory for the agents.

 

[MSD2343]

It is my understanding without any documentation that the FBI destroyed all but a few of those guns.

Ugh, so sad. But so typical.

 

[DARE]

Roy Jinks wrote an article titled "The Revolver that Changed the Direction of Handgunning." Not sure where or when it was published. Ralph Tremaine sent me a copy of it. Maybe Ralph has that info.
Roy says 63 individual agents purchased registered models. I assume that means the guns were shipped to the agents or to the FBI with the agent's name on the order.
I have a gun that was purchased by an FBI agent, but not through the FBI. SWHF says there was no law enforcement discount on the gun. Probably Potchernick's in San Antonio ordered the gun for stock and my guy bought it. Learned the agent's name because the gun was sent in for repair.
.357 Magnum number 47138, REG 657 5-inch barrel, McGivern front sight, square notch rear sight, blue finishes, and checkered walnut Magna grips. Shipped December 24, 1935.
There were only around 400 special agents in 1936.
So 163 plus a few more like mine, almost half of the FBI agents had Registered Magnums.
Oh yeah, the agent was James C. (Doc) White

 

[jimmyj]

Interesting to me that the FBI chose the five inch barrel.
When I began LEO the Model 27 with 3.5" barrel was known as the "FBI Model".

 

[Doug M.]

I have to admit that I can see some difficulty with carrying a 5" N frame in plain clothes, much as the 1076 would later present difficulties that kept some agents from carrying them,I think the 5" is the sweet spot for performance and utility. If one has only one sidearm, the 5" .357 could be a winner.

 

[quinn]

Even with the 3.5 and 4" barrels, some FBI agents had their magna stocks modified into a kind of PC grip to prevent snags of their suit jacket lining. Suits were mandatory even then. This photo is of SA Jerry Campbell's RM (not mine but shown in the gallery area of this forum.)

 

[boykinlp]

It is my understanding without any documentation that the FBI destroyed all but a few of those guns. The few they did not destroy were turned over to the shooting range at Quantico.

Why in the world was this done?
Larry

 

[shawn mccarver]

Interesting to me that the FBI chose the five inch barrel.
When I began LEO the Model 27 with 3.5" barrel was known as the "FBI Model".

That is odd as, to my knowledge, the FBI never ordered 3 1/2 inch Magnums. I could be wrong, and would certainly love to hear about it if so.

 

[Truckman]

Even with the 3.5 and 4" barrels, some FBI agents had their magna stocks modified into a kind of PC grip to prevent snags of their suit jacket lining.

True...My 3 1/2" Model of 1950 Target in .44 Spl is an example, although it has no FBI connection...The Magnas on it now are the originals numbered to the frame, but were altered sometime after it shipped to suit the owner's taste...The trigger shoe was also the owner's preference......Ben

 

[Alk8944]

Why in the world was this done?
Larry

Because that is just what the government does, with severity depending in large part on the executive branch in office at the time. Thousands of 1911s, Garands, Carbines, 1903s, etc. have been destroyed instead of being released for civilian purchase!

When I was in Army Ordnance in the 1960s there was an order that all match type weapons be destroyed instead of being returned to inventory for re-issue. Probably the cost of record keeping was the reason for this. Our office destroyed 12 Model 52 S&Ws one time as a result of this order.

 

[caura]

Más informacion Registered magnum FBI







No entiendo como destruyen armas que forman parte de la historia de su país. Es como destruir los viejos colt Walker o Dragón o las armas Colt 1911 que han acompañado al ejército de EE:UU
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I don't understand how they destroy weapons that are part of the history of their country. It's like destroying the old Colt Walkers or Dragon or the Colt 1911 guns that have accompanied the U.S. military

 

[lowhog]

16 page article on the prewar Magnum in the 1990 Handguns annual.