New to Me Reg Mag 8.75" "Hand-Rifle"

RKmesa · #1 11-15-2007, 03:32 PM

Just picked my 1st revolver with enough seniority to post on this part of the forum - an 8.75" 357 Registered Magnum (#3261), with Ivory stocks. It looks to have been re-blued, has made a trip back to S&W (see the star on the frame butt), has a King front sight, buggered screws in the rear sight, has a very interesting hammer (someone posted a photo of one like this but I could not find the post), and some prior owner threaded a hole in the rear of the trigger guard. I will get this lettered shortly, but in the meantime, I would love your thoughts. Here are some quick photos that I snapped this morning:

Thanks,

MikeyL · #2 11-15-2007, 03:53 PM

RK: Sweet! Neat gun, and looks like a keeper to me. It takes no stretch of the imagination to figure out this was a serious target pistol, with the oversize rear hammer, etc. I suspect that the hole in the rear of the trigger guard was for a trigger stop of some sort. I love the stocks, too. I'm green with envy....

MikeyL
SWCA #2010

JayCeeNC · #3 11-15-2007, 04:05 PM

I'm envious, too! Great catch. The ivory grips are a really nice bonus.

azmick · #4 11-15-2007, 04:24 PM

nice find! and let me ask the the question you know is coming,
"how's it shoot"

DHENRY · #5 11-15-2007, 04:27 PM

Nice-looking gun, RK.
That hammer is called a 'cockeyed' style, and several firms (like King) made them for the serious target shooter.
You'll find that reflector front sight really helpful in all light conditions.
The finish job on your gun looks to be superb.
Those buggered sight-adjustment screws can be reworked cosmetically.
Enjoy that fine gun!
Don

mikepriwer · #6 11-15-2007, 04:52 PM

RK

I would suggest you get a letter for this gun. As noted, the hammer is probably a
King cockeyed hammer, and may have "King" stamped on somewhere. That front sight
is a King reflector front sight, which may be original to the gun. I doubt the
hammer is, but its always a possibility.

The grips look like Ajax Ivory, and would be from some time later - like the
70's or so.

In spite of its minor condition shortcomings, its a nice-enough gun that you ought
to have lettered. It may turn out that none of the interesting features is original,
or maybe some are. One never knows !

Later, Mike Priwer

A10ACN · #7 11-15-2007, 06:39 PM

Neat RegMag!!! That is one fine piece, let us know how she shoots! I'd wager that the gun went to King's for the hammer and the sight. Do you have anything else to compare the action to? It may've been converted to King's Short Action while there also. It would cycle more like a post-war gun if that were the case.
Enjoy it!

j38 · #8 11-15-2007, 07:46 PM

Nice looking Mag, RK! I'll look forward to hearing what it does on the range - assuming you shoot it. Either way, ENJOY! Regards, Jerry

RKmesa · #9 11-15-2007, 08:46 PM

All:

Thanks for your comments and expertise. In response, here are a few more items that I can share:

1. I am excited as can be to have found this revolver - I feel my $900 was well spent. My comments above were more of a matter-of-fact description. The revolver is beautiful and its beauty makes the few minor flaws stand out a little more. I would like to get some new screws for the rear sight, if anyone knows where I can find some (I assume that finding such screws is like finding hens teeth).

2. Although it appears to be re-blued, the edges are sharp and the bluing is very deep and nice. The roll marks appear to have been light in the first place and buffed to be a little lighter.

3. I will get it lettered and the King reflector front sight is a cool design with the reflection "mirror" directed up to the rear face of the front blade.

4. The cockeyed hammer (thanks for naming it for me) has "REG U.S. Pat. Off." stamped on the rear "shoulder". Although my photos are not very good, the color case finish on the hammer is vibrant and the circular groves on the sides of the hammer are clean and even.

5. I have many-post war N Frames and this Reg Mag definitely has a longer action than its post war counterparts. BTW - The action is one of the smoothest that I own.

6. I too think that the threaded screw hole in the rear of the trigger guard was for a trigger stop. Does anyone have a photo of such a stop that is installed?

7. I agree that the ivories are of a much later vintage and they do have an Ajax look. Does anyone have a nice set of pre-war magnas that they would like to part with?

Once again - thanks for making this forum a great place to hang out and share!

JayCeeNC · #10 11-15-2007, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RKmesa:
I am excited as can be to have found this revolver - I feel my $900 was well spent.

You dawg!!!

Kobold_27 · #11 11-16-2007, 01:02 PM

900 bucks!!!

ooohhh-aaaah... "sound of Michael falling off his chair... gasping for air.."

Speedo2 · #12 11-16-2007, 08:24 PM

"I feel my $900 was well spent."
"Does anyone have a nice set of pre-war magnas that they would like to part with?"

There's a set of pre-war N-frame magnas on fleabay even as I write this; currently at around $360, with a couple days left. (I know this sort of thing is frowned upon, but RK asked.) At what you paid for that RM, I think that you should be in there scratching for 'em. Very nice gun. -S2

glypnir · #13 11-23-2007, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kobold_27:
900 bucks!!!

ooohhh-aaaah... "sound of Michael falling off his chair... gasping for air.."

Indeed. "Honey, get the defibrillator."

Art Doc · #14 11-24-2007, 07:23 AM

Who sold this for $900?

Either somebody owed you a big favor...

Or the seller had no idea of value...

Or it's hot.

Am I the only one whose first reaction to a desirable collectible gun being sold for 1/4 its value is suspicion?

gpo1956 · #15 11-24-2007, 07:52 AM

Steve Bryson,
Excellent, excellent post!

Catshooter · #16 11-24-2007, 02:39 PM

Very nice pistol. $900 is an excellent buy, good on you. I would letter it also, and shoot it! I think it may well be a handi-rifle.

Saxon,

I believe the answer to your question is yes, you are the only one. The thought "If you can't say something nice, say nothing at all." come's to mind.

I read many posts on many sites that I disagree with, think are stupid, etc. When I do, I post no reply. Overall, I find that general negativeness adds nothing to the discussion, don't you think?

Cat

RKmesa · #17 11-24-2007, 04:42 PM

All:

I have been on the forum long enough to have read a ton of SP's posts. I may not always agree with him, but I always appreciate his comments. Although, you may not always agree with How he says it, He almost always has good thoughts and perspectives - AND you ALWAYS know where he stands.

SP:

The answer to your question is "B" - The seller had no idea what they had. I purchased it off of a large well-known Internet auction site. The description was a poor one with poor photos. I looked very carefully at the photos, called the gun shop (a "black gun" FFL) that had it offered for sale, asked a few questions about what was stamped on the frame under the cylinder arm, and pushed the "buy it now" button for $850 (the other $50 was for shipping and my FFL fee). On more item of note is that on the bottom left of the grip frame there are a couple of stamps on both side of the grip pin - "64" and "S" making me think that it went back to the factory in Sept of 1964 for a refinish - The finish is very nice.

I spent another several hours yesterday polishing and cleaning this beautiful piece of history and I feel lucky to be its current owner.

Thanks for all of the comments. I love the diversity, candor, humor and brain power of the members of this forum.

Art Doc · #18 11-24-2007, 10:22 PM

To answer all the questions and remarks:

Yes, I have gotten good deals but I never cheated any widows or old men who didn't know what they had. A gun offered cheaply by an FFL is fair game in my book (as was the case here). Had the owner posted up front it was from a professional dealer I would have said nothing because a pro dealer should know his stuff and he obviously offered it at a mark-up over his cost. I just hate the stories (and I have seen them posted) where someone brags about buying a gun at 1/4 of its value from an old man who needed money for food and was so senile he had no idea about the value of his old gun.

Yes, it's refinished and has a hole drilled in it. Sad, but this is still a gun worth more than $900. I'm not an expert on RMs so I could only speculate on how much more but I suspect that any similar RM would sell quickly on this forum if offered at that price.

This accusation that I never have any thing nice to say is old news and frankly I'm sick of it. If all you want is mindless slobbering and insipid compliments I can't help you. I look for open and honest discussion, warts and all. I ain't Pollyanna and this ain't someplace over the rainbow. I thought we were here to learn, share, and have honest intellectual discussions. I hate to be the first to break it to you, but honest discussions sometimes involve things beyond "drooling on my keyboard" and "Sweeeet."

RKmesa, you scored a nice gun. It's not perfect but I'd have snapped it up in a heartbeat at that price had I seen it. Reblued and all.

RKmesa · #19 11-24-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Yes, I have gotten good deals but I never cheated any widows or old men who didn't know what they had. A gun offered cheaply by an FFL is fair game in my book (as was the case here). Had the owner posted up front it was from a professional dealer I would have said nothing because a pro dealer should know his stuff and he obviously offered it at a mark-up over his cost. I just hate the stories (and I have seen them posted) where someone brags about buying a gun at 1/4 of its value from an old man who needed money for food and was so senile he had no idea about the value of his old gun.

SP - Couldn't agree with you more. Widows, orphans and the elderly all have a very tender place in my heart, and I would have felt extreemly uncomfortable paying what I did if it was one of the above. Professional FFL's who should be able to appropriately price a firearm are fair game in my book and I would be very surprised if the seller did not double his money on the transaction (as I recall, the bidding had a start price of $499).

Please continue to post - I come here to learn and share. I'll take the comments "warts and all"

Art Doc · #20 11-25-2007, 09:06 AM

I ain't going nowhere. That'll be the day when I let a couple of whiners run me off. Have to do better than that.

H Richard · #21 11-25-2007, 11:45 AM

Saxon Pig, you wern't the only one that thought the price was too good to be true. I had two thoughts, 1. What a lucky guy. 2. Gee, I sure hope it wasn't hot. Yes, mentioning buy directly from a dealer calms the nerves. As said, "a dealer should know".

This gentleman did enough homework to know what he was getting, and took advantage of the opportunity.

Recently a friend got a rare variation of a common model, at a gun show, from a dealer, for about half it's value. No he didn't dicker much, but did a backflip when he got outside.

I doubt if there is a reader here who wouldn't do the same, (in a deal sith a dealer).

Art Doc · #22 11-25-2007, 05:27 PM

Not a chance of offense, Steve. I take your comments exactly as they were offered.

I stand by what I said.

Yes, I did repeatedly mention the incorrect hammer on the expensive pistol I bought. It was always in the context of discussing other such guns and those discussions invariably brought that hammer back to mind. But after numerous complaints from people like you (or maybe it was you) I ceased making mention of it. Perhaps I was being redundant.

I guess we all have our own definition of whining. You use yours, I'll use mine, and thank you very much for sharing.

I do not work at a research institution, I work at teaching colleges (full-time at one and part-time at another) so I really don't "live in a world of academia" (as those who resent educated people tend to call it) but again, thanks for the insight.

I jumped to no conclusion. I asked. That's not jumping (nor is it whining just in case you wanted to back there again). I speculated three possibilities AFTER asking who would sell it so cheaply. That's not jumping to a conclusion. But I appreciate your thoughts on the matter.

Your comments are not open and honest discussion. They are accusatory personal attacks. Fortunately, I am accustomed to dealing with people much more talented at personal insults than are you. I also have the advantage of not giving two damns in Hell about what you think of me.

Say what you want. I simply don't care. In fact, I often find attempts at wit by people trying to insult me quite entertaining.

BTW- I see you live in Illinois. I am sorry about that. My heart goes out to folks living in states that ignore the Second Amendment.

feralmerril · #23 11-25-2007, 05:57 PM

This reminds me of a story a old guy told me that happened durring world war two. This guy had a joker buddy who carried a picture of a ugly woman and ugly baby with him that he didnt even know. When guys would pull out pictures of their sweethearts and family, this guy would pull out that picture and show it. Guys would always compliment him etc. This time he showed to one guy and the guy blurted out something like geez they are ugly! Hey saxon, were you in war 2?

Catshooter · #24 11-25-2007, 06:12 PM

Yea, I knew I was waisting bandwidth when I posted. Oh well.

Cat

Art Doc · #25 11-25-2007, 06:42 PM

No, but I did once offer to get a banana for a lady's monkey.

Art Doc · #26 11-25-2007, 06:44 PM

Catshooter- Only 76 posts and already deciding what's valuable and what is not.

At least you don't fear stating an opinion. As you can see, it can get you covered with mud around here.

Art Doc · #27 11-26-2007, 09:06 AM

When someone uses the phrase "those in the world of academia" what generally follows is criticism. Rarely do people (especially folks on these forums) throw that term around referring to the dictionary definition.

Yes, I do get slammed a lot. Great men are always attacked for their beliefs.

No30 · #28 11-26-2007, 07:31 PM

Quote:

No, but I did once offer to get a banana for a lady's monkey.

That reminded me of the guy who saw a lady walking a duck on a leash. He asked, "Where did you get the pig?" The lady was quite offended and said, "It's not a pig. It's a duck." The man responded, "I was talking to the duck."

Sometimes the truth hurts.

Todd