Gidager
Member
Good morning,I am looking for some info on 2 pistols,that my grandfather carried.They are S&W 357 Mag serial # 58786 and a .38 S&W spl serial # 548342.Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Granpas Guns
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If you open the cylinder on the .357 Magnum, do you see a stamp like REG XXXX (where the xxxx represents a four digit number) stamped on the frame? If so, you have one of the most collectable S&W revolvers, a .357 Registered Magnum. This gun would date to the late 1930s.
The other gun is a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 that probably shipped about 1927.
We'd love to see pictures of both guns if you can post them.
The other gun is a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 that probably shipped about 1927.
We'd love to see pictures of both guns if you can post them.
Welcome to the forum from Texas.
____________
James
____________
James
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Need more info, Gidager. Your question is sort of like asking "I have a car, what is it and what's it worth?"
There are numerous S&W models in 357 and 38 caliber. We are not sure the numbers you gave are the actual serial numbers as other numbers often appear on the frames. The serial sometimes has letters in it. Don't neglect to mention them if present.
First, look for a model number under the cylinder crane. It will appear as "MOD 19-3" or similar. If not present then the gun likely dates before 1957.
Here's the model number. This one is a MOD 25-2. Note the serial is also present but it's not always in this location. The second photo shows the butt where the serial is usually found.
Give a full (FULL) description. Fixed sights or adjustable?
Fixed:
Adjustable:
Is the ejector rod under the barrel covered (shrouded) or is it exposed and visible?
Shrouded:
Exposed:
A full and proper description along with the correct serial will enable someone to positively ID your S&W revolver. Photos are always helpful but they must be hosted on a remote site and linked.
There are numerous S&W models in 357 and 38 caliber. We are not sure the numbers you gave are the actual serial numbers as other numbers often appear on the frames. The serial sometimes has letters in it. Don't neglect to mention them if present.
First, look for a model number under the cylinder crane. It will appear as "MOD 19-3" or similar. If not present then the gun likely dates before 1957.
Here's the model number. This one is a MOD 25-2. Note the serial is also present but it's not always in this location. The second photo shows the butt where the serial is usually found.
Give a full (FULL) description. Fixed sights or adjustable?
Fixed:
Adjustable:
Is the ejector rod under the barrel covered (shrouded) or is it exposed and visible?
Shrouded:
Exposed:
A full and proper description along with the correct serial will enable someone to positively ID your S&W revolver. Photos are always helpful but they must be hosted on a remote site and linked.
Gidager,
I can tell you this much. You are one lucky feller. Brace yourself on that .357. You are in for a surprise.
Holy guacamole!! I think wee're on to something big here Gidager.
Dragon88
Member
As others are mentioning, you have inherited more than you realize. Congratulations. Do you happen to have the original boxes or any paperwork with the guns, especially the 357 Magnum?
We await some pictures.
Congratulations, it sounds like you have a couple great examples of Smiths. You might just want to try the search option, and type in Registered Magnum. There is quite a bit of background and information on them here. If you are in the Seattle area, I can think of a couple of forum members, including me, who would love to see them!
From records research, RM 4805 is believed to have a 3.5" barrel and a nickel finish. Does that sound like your Grandfather's gun? If not, could you tell us the barrel length and whether the finish is blue or nickel?
Guns with nearby registration numbers were shipped from the factory in June of 1939. The odds are fairly good but not certain that yours would have shipped at about that time as well.
Not to keep you in suspense, but depending on condition and whether or not the gun comes with its original box and accessories, it could be worth from $2000 to $10,000 in the collector market. Poorly refinished, clumsily modified, or heavily worn guns are worth less, as you might imagine, but an unrefinished gun with 90% or more of its original finish left, original stocks and no box might still be a $5000 item. By comparison, the .38 M&P you also mentioned would be worth about $250-300 if in worn but shootable condition, and about $700 or so in high-90s condition with its original box.
Nobody expects you will want to sell a family heirloom, but you should know how to value it for insurance purposes.
S&W provides a documentation service. For $50 you can get what is called a "letter of authenticity" that will give you a brief history of the .357 Magnum and tell you when your specific gun was shipped and where it went. Not every gun merits a research letter, but I think most RM collectors would consider it a nice complement to the gun. It may be that the S&W Historical Foundation has further documentation on your gun if it was ever returned to the factory for service.
Definitely looking forward to the photos of both guns.
Welcome to the forum. Not everyone makes such a splashy introduction.
Guns with nearby registration numbers were shipped from the factory in June of 1939. The odds are fairly good but not certain that yours would have shipped at about that time as well.
Not to keep you in suspense, but depending on condition and whether or not the gun comes with its original box and accessories, it could be worth from $2000 to $10,000 in the collector market. Poorly refinished, clumsily modified, or heavily worn guns are worth less, as you might imagine, but an unrefinished gun with 90% or more of its original finish left, original stocks and no box might still be a $5000 item. By comparison, the .38 M&P you also mentioned would be worth about $250-300 if in worn but shootable condition, and about $700 or so in high-90s condition with its original box.
Nobody expects you will want to sell a family heirloom, but you should know how to value it for insurance purposes.
S&W provides a documentation service. For $50 you can get what is called a "letter of authenticity" that will give you a brief history of the .357 Magnum and tell you when your specific gun was shipped and where it went. Not every gun merits a research letter, but I think most RM collectors would consider it a nice complement to the gun. It may be that the S&W Historical Foundation has further documentation on your gun if it was ever returned to the factory for service.
Definitely looking forward to the photos of both guns.
Welcome to the forum. Not everyone makes such a splashy introduction.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Yup. Having the REG number on the frame makes it a Registered Magnum.
Go buy a lottery ticket. It's your lucky day. Nickel plated RMs are very rare and valuable if in decent, original condition.
Go buy a lottery ticket. It's your lucky day. Nickel plated RMs are very rare and valuable if in decent, original condition.
lawandorder
Member
Doc that was some very good info/images you posted to help out folks new to the world of Smith.
Well done!
Well done!
I second that statement. Excellent post with pictures explaining things in detail for a new S&W fan.
GIDAGER, welcome to the forum and to the world of S&W. You grandfather has started you off in excellent fashion with two of the most popular S&W revolvers that were ever produced. You will find a ton of info here on the forum regarding both of these guns. Starting out with 2 that have family history is a bonus indeed. You can purchase other Reg. Mags. during your lifetime, but there is only one in the world that was held and owned by your grandfather. I have one of my grandfather's guns but it was only an Iver Johnson and probably worth about $9,800 less than the one your grandfather left you. (I will still never sell it though because to me it is priceless. Knowing that my grandfather also believed in the 2nd amendment has no price.)
Brandon0413
Member
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Someone should sticky it. Then all you have to do is link to it in the future.
Sounds like you've got a couple of nice family heirlooms there, Gidager. We like to see pictures here. Got any?
Adjust your camera to small size on the menu.Then try again.
mtb1bkr
US Veteran
Gid, you can upload them to a picture hosting site like photobucket.com. Then, when you are in your pictures in photobucket, place your mouse over the picture and a drop down box will come out below it. Click the link which says Image Code, then come here and paste the link into your post. When you post the reply, the pictures will be in the post. Oh and congratulations on a great find!!!
Bill
Bill
mtb1bkr
US Veteran
http://smith-wessonforum.com/forum-office/78728-posting-photos-forum.html
There's the long form directions on how to post photos.
Bill
There's the long form directions on how to post photos.
Bill
gkitch
Member
Gidager, since I am not in the market for a Registered Magnum I think I can say this without bias: Some guns are for shooting and some are for collecting while some are family heirlooms.
-If one inherits a gun that meant something very personally to the relative, his carry gun in LE for instance, then keep it and pass it along with the story (sell it to a good man if one runs out of worthy decendants).
-Inherited guns should be enjoyed if they are not too valuable. Hunt, shoot, carry etc
-If one inherits a highly valuable gun and there is no real emotional attatchment then sell it to a collector and allow him to preserve it for the next generation. Use the money to buy some other good shooting guns or invest in a college education. This is honorable.
I hope this helps. I've learned that good collectors APPRECIATE thier chosen collectibles and like to educate others and share their passions. They inevitably give a nice gun a good home and serve as temporary caretakers in a continuum of history.
-If one inherits a gun that meant something very personally to the relative, his carry gun in LE for instance, then keep it and pass it along with the story (sell it to a good man if one runs out of worthy decendants).
-Inherited guns should be enjoyed if they are not too valuable. Hunt, shoot, carry etc
-If one inherits a highly valuable gun and there is no real emotional attatchment then sell it to a collector and allow him to preserve it for the next generation. Use the money to buy some other good shooting guns or invest in a college education. This is honorable.
I hope this helps. I've learned that good collectors APPRECIATE thier chosen collectibles and like to educate others and share their passions. They inevitably give a nice gun a good home and serve as temporary caretakers in a continuum of history.
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