.357 N.R. Magnum (pics)

digi-shots

digi-shots

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Here are some pics of my newest S&W addition... it's a 3 1/2" prewar .357 Non-Registered Magnum that shipped in July of 1940. There's a rework star on the butt, following the serial number.

According to the SCS&W book, the non-registered magnums were more likely to be heavily used than the Registered ones. They were very similar to the Registered Magnums, except they had no registration number stamped in the yoke and were not supplied with a Registration Certificate.

This one went back to factory in December of 1952 and then again in January of 1953. It's got a factory diamond stamp on both the grip frame and in the barrel lug. The grips are un-numbered post war magnas. I have heard that the factory frequently replaced old grips with new ones during a rework. The gun appears to have been reblued. I'm hoping one of the return dates was for a factory reblue.

The front sight is a KING mirror reflector. The trigger shoe is stamped ACE FLAIG.

I've sent off to Roy Jinks for a letter and look forward to learning more about this one.

gunSWNRM2.jpg


gunSWNRM1.jpg


gunSWNRM3.jpg
 
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That is one beautiful revolver.

Interesting history and great condition!

I would tinker with it by putting on a set of Keith Brown stocks.
 
Glad to See you Finally Picked up "Your Gun"

Linda:

That is a beauty! If you get tired of it or find another one and want to upgrade, I would find room in my safe for that 3.5" sweetheart. I love the reflector sight and the whole configuration. However, I too would slap a set of KB pre war repros on it to finish off the package - something like these scrimshawed medallion ones (photo by Lee J, who facilitated my possession of these grips).

KBScrimshawL.jpg

KBScrimshawR.jpg


Congratulations.:):):)
 
Last edited:
Hello Linda
What a Gorgeous revolver, Congratulations. I Bet that King Reflector sight is a Real Rare Option on the shorter 3-1/2" Barreled Non-Reg Pre-27 ? It is the First one I have seen on a barrel that short. Regards, Hammerdown
 
Great find, Linda!

What a beautiful 357. I can't wait to see how it letters.
 
Outstanding gun, Linda. And made only more impressive by your photography!

As much as I am a booster of Keith Brown's grips (I also have a set on a 3.5" RM), I believe that you are correct that the factory put those on the gun when it was returned. Their condition, which equals that of the gun, would certainly indicate that. So in that case, I believe that leaving them on the gun is appropriate.

I'd also leave the trigger shoe on it. Although they have fallen from favor today, they were certainly the state of the art at the time that this gun was in use.

Forgive me, but I am a big backer of leaving old guns which have been modified to reflect the desires/needs of the early user as is. Of course, by that I don't include guns which have been butchered in the past.

I also think that Kurt is correct about the mirror sight on the short barrel...that very well may have been installed at one of the trips back to the factory.

Bob
 
Linda,

I'm envious, it is one of my grail guns and hopefully one day I will find one that is priced appropriately. Your photography is top knotch too.

Thanks for sharing
 
Thanks to everyone for their kind words. It's my first .357 of any kind. I can't believe how smooth the trigger is. The trigger shoe actually feels pretty good!

I have to agree, Keith's grips are outstanding! He is an excellent craftsman.

I'll probably wait to see how the gun letters before doing anything. I'm curious as to what sights were on the gun when it was originally shipped. I was reading online the other night and found a 1941 copy of a KING Gunsights pricing catalog. The Ramp Reflector was priced at $5.00 and another $1.50 for the actual sight (blade/post etc.).

The condition of the gun currently matches the condition of the grips. I do believe they could have been put on at the factory after the rework in 1952/53. They look like early shouldered diamond's and have no s/n stamped on the backside. There is a very slight indentation on the backside of the wood and matching scratch on the grip frame. It appears there was a "Tyler-T" type grip adapter on it at one time.
 
What a beautiful package. I envy you the whole gun, but I particularly envy you the King reflector sight. If I can ever find a loose one or two, I have some pre-war .38s that I'd like to dress up.
 
Way to go!!!!

That gun is WAY up there in cool factor!!!! I cant wait to hear how it letters.
Congrats Linda
 
Wow Holy Cats! Carumba. Other than that I'm speechless. What a way to own your first 357 Magnum. I've owned as many as 26 at one time and none compared to this one.

Congratulations. Do shoot it once if you can and let us know what that experience was like.

Regards ,,Allen Frame
 
What a beautiful old gun and great photography, Linda. Congratulations! I will look forward to what your letter says - as well as your impressions of how it shoots should you choose to try her out (I would!).

Regards,

Jerry
 
stock fit

Very nice gun.


At the risk of sounding negative, I can't believe the factory would have sent the revolver out with replacement stocks hanging over the butt and front strap. I think someone else put those on it.

Ed
 
Great gun Linda, there is nothing like a 3.5 barrelled magnum.
 
Linda,

What a great gun....glad that ended up with such a wonderful Lady....:D I've watched your collection grow over the years and have to say that you have a really refined sense of very stylish S&W's. Every gun in your collection has an element of Wow!


giz
 
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