A smoothbore Magnum ... ?

MRH · Oct 27, 2021

This would have been interesting to see.

The gun in question has had a 3.5" barrel since circa 1940. The original 8.75" barrel has been bored out to something like .452 or .458 and fully rifled. The 357 cylinder remains in the gun and numbered to it.

Something of a paradox ... which might be a play on words in this context.

Anyone know anything about it? Reg. 1247.

mrh-albums-mrh-picture24040-68a82547-14ff-4b13-a3c8-05b5b5f62388.jpeg

ND Farmer · Oct 28, 2021

For sale on one of the gun listing sites with pictures. Not mine.

s&wchad · Oct 28, 2021

The gun is listed as “sold” on Guns International and includes photos and some history.

S&W Registered Magnum 357 w/Box, Certificate, History...

bravastar1 · Oct 28, 2021

I am curious as to how much it was listed for and also if this conversion would have made it a class III weapon.

s&wchad · Oct 28, 2021

bravastar1 said:
I am curious as to how much it was listed for and also if this conversion would have made it a class III weapon.

Probably not. According to the listing, the gun currently has a non-numbered rifled .357 barrel on it and the original .357 cylinder. It also states the the original barrel that was reamed to .44 has shallow rifling. The NFA was in effect when the conversion was done, so King probably added the shallow rifling to comply with the law. It’s a shame the .44 cylinder was lost.

MRH · Oct 28, 2021

Sorry, should have been more clear. I purchased this gun (at the listing above) and have been trying to figure out the smoothbore bit. The 357 cylinder is in the gun and is numbered. The 3.5” barrel is not but has apparently been there since 1940 or so. The 8.75” barrel is present and numbered to the gun. It is bored out to something in excess of 452 - my guess is 454 or 458 but am not at the shop with measuring tools - and shallow slow rifling the length of the barrel. I am curious, when Kings did smoothbores, what were they? 38 cal? 45 cal? For a 410 shell? And it might appear that they used a different cylinder altogether - perhaps just a standard prewar N frame big bore cylinder, not the recessed?

In any event, the negotiated price was about right for a 3.5” in this condition. And it is TIGHT. I expect it to be one of my best Magnum shooters.

s&wchad · Oct 28, 2021

Congratulations, interesting gun!

There’s some information about .44 smoothbore loads in this old thread.

Congressman Cecil King's .44 Military Smoothbore - more pics + 1

I do know that the Marbles Game Getter was offered in .44-40 smoothbore/.22 before the NFA of 1934 and Dominion/CIL made shotshells for it. Without the .44 cylinder that was presumably used with the gun, you’ll probably never know.

Mk VII · Oct 28, 2021

Gun for demonstration trick shooting? Looks more impressive if they don't know you're using shotshells.

A smoothbore Magnum ... ?

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