Pre-war 357 Magnums were a custom affair. For the $60 purchase price you could order your revolver with many options, one of which was a barrel length, which was offered in 1/4" increments ranging in length from 8 3/4" down to 3 1/2". The one exception to the 1/4" rule was the 8 3/8" barrel, which was the maximum length allowed for USRA matches. It is estimated that there were fewer than 40 RM's that left the factory in this length.

I have been trying to assemble a collection of pinned and recessed 8 3/8" 357 Magnums of all engineering changes, starting with a 8 3/8" Registered Magnum and ending with an 8 3/8" Model 27-2. This has been, and continues to be, a challenging, but enjoyable pursuit.

I'm still pursuing a couple of the engineering changes in 8 3/8", but several months ago I was drawn a Registered Magnum advertised to have an 8 1/4" barrel. There were estimated to be less than 10 RM's that left the factory with an 8 1/4" barrel. After several calls with the seller and having him measure and remeasure the barrel several times, it was decided that the barrel length was 8 5/16", right in between 8 1/4" and 8 3/8". The price was negotiable and we finally settled upon a price that would allow me to be happy with a length that lettered at 8 1/4" or 8 3/8" and the gun was shipped to my FFL.

During my three day review period, Roy Jinks confirmed that the gun shipped with an 8 3/8" barrel (membership in the SWCA has its privileges ) and I had filled a hole in my 8 3/8" collection.

Yesterday, I received my factory letter from Mr. Jinks confirming the 8 3/8" barrel. REG 2394 left the factory on May 20, 1937 and was shipped to a Dr. A. A Thomas in Indianapolis, IN. It was shipped with a King red post FS on a King reflector base, a King #112 RS, and checkered Magna grips. Also noted in the letter is the fact that when completed, the revolver was sent to Mr. Roper to be fitted with an extra pair of Roper stocks. Neither the Factory Magnas, nor the Ropers were with the gun when I took ownership. Luckily I happened to have a spare set of beautiful Keith Brown pre-war Magnas (that fit like they were custom fitted to this gun) and a set of beautiful Keith Brown pre-war Ropers that also look great on the gun.

So now, after the windy narrative above (for those of you that endured it), here are a couple of photos of REG 2394:





PS - The box in the photos is one of the several long boxes that I own and it did not ship with the gun.

Enjoy,

__________________
Richard
Engraved S&W fan

That is a very nice find.

Absolutely beautiful. Awesome grips and great photography!

Thanks for sharing.

Roger

Holy long barreled revolvers Batman!

Very nice ".357" Magnum.

Bill

Very nice gun. BTW: I tried my hand at buying one of those boxes. After $1700, I bailed out of the auction. Yours is in especially nice shape.

Outstanding gun!
I'm always amazed that so many of these old guns survive in such pristine condition.

__________________
John

Just beautiful.

There is no way you could have paid too much for that gun.



Charlie

The shine on that revolver is outta' this world and the wood looks like marble.

That's an example of why Reg Mags are the most sought after 357 ever made.

Well done on the photography.

GF

That is a nice one! Congratulations on filling out your collection! Any chance you could post some pics with the Ropers on it?

__________________
Even older, even crankier....

Great presentation. Thanks for posting this fine R.M.

Thanks again Richard. The hits just keep coming!

__________________
Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

What a beautiful revolver. Congratulations on your persistence and new RM!

__________________
John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Lovely revolver Richard. I've said this before; the long barrel guns are quite elegant, whereas the 3 1/2" guns are just......pugnacious.

Frank,
SWCA 2052

Your awesome Registered Magnum started my drooling again. Congratulations on a great find!!

__________________
Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Richard, Outstanding RM and great pics. I would say you have reached the pinnacle of 8 3/8 inch .357 magnums. It would cool to find a non registered in 8 3/8 now. Good luck.

Chad

Nice catch! Gun and grips are great, and so are the pics.
Thanks for sharing. TACC1

Richard,That rm is a beauty!

Stunning dude.

That warrants one of my favorite sayings ; 'Holy Cats!'

Question; How many does that make? Q2: When can we see a group shot??


Allen Frame

__________________
NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Hello Richard, that is just a beauty!!!! I have to ask, what is the going price range for an RM like that, specially that year around the RM2300? just to know if I come across one of those,
Cheers!!!!

__________________
Heavy Duty Enthusiast!!!!!

Chad:

Luck has been with me. About a year ago I picked up an 8 3/8" Non RM (a fairly rare barrel length in a Non RM) with a Humpback Hammer. It is set up almost Identical to REG 2394, with the exception of the HBH and a bit more wear. Here is a photo of Non RM SN 61157 (different gun, same box as a prop):



I'm still looking for a very early post-war transitional 357 in 8 3/8". Let me know if you come across one.

Thanks,

__________________
Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Richard, That is a great non registered. Your definitely on a roll with the 8 3/8 inch guns. I hope you DO find a transitional!

Chad

I am in AWL! Love that rich S&W Blue.
Nice pair so far.

That RM is just flat gorgeous!!
Are those the King sights it letterd with. The Kings I'm familiar with all seem less subtle than those.

You do such a great job on pics, how about some close up pics of the sights.

Thanks for sharing that one!

__________________
Jim
S&WCA #819

I have an 8 3/8" RM cubbyholed, but it aint quite that nice...great gun RK.
Now you need to see what the SWHF has on it.

Be sure to get a really nice frame for it

Whatever it cost, it looks like it was worth it. What a long, beautiful RM!

Thanks,

Jerry

Richard,

That's another beautiful RM you have acquired.

It's fun to think that those guns of yours are almost right here in my own back yard.

Congratulations!

Tom

NICE gun. Good for you!

You better get started on that Transition 8-3/8! That won't be an easy nut to crack.

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

The going price range that I can see, of course depends on many factors, primarily: condition, configuration (barrel length, sights, grips, finish, factory original), provinance (who owned it, was it used for some significant event, etc.), goodies (box, tools, brochure, grip adapter, CERTIFICATE, mailing tube, etc.), factory letter from Roy confirming the configuration, ship date and ship location.

Depending on the above factors, they can go anywhere from $1,500 at the low end (perhaps lower if the seller does not know what they have) to $15,000. However, a good indication of the price range for a relatively standard RM would be the latest auction prices paid on a place like GunBroker. Lee had 3 or 4 of them that he recently sold there. They were in decent condition (not as nice as the one pictured above, but still nice), well described, and well photographed and if my recollection is correct, most of them sold for prices in the $4K to $5K range, with one selling for a bit lower price.

I have purchased several RM's over the last 5 years and have paid prices ranging between $900 and $6,500 for them.

Good luck on your pursuit!

__________________
Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Lee:

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Please keep me in mind if you happen to run across one.

Thanks,

__________________
Richard
Engraved S&W fan

Beautiful revolver. I shudder at the thought of the cost, but wow, what a beauty.

__________________
NHI, 10-8.