Texas Star
US Veteran
Based on the placement of the company name on the barrel, is this maybe a cut-down barrel?
I'm sure the gun would still be very valuable.
I'm sure the gun would still be very valuable.
.357 Model Question
- Thread starter chadmtew
- Start date
You'll be happy to know fellas, I took my wife out to a very nice dinner tonight. Some of you might not be so happy to know...that .357 will be staying in my family for a very long time. I will cherish it and it will serve as a conversation piece and trophy in my collection for a long time to come, and one day my son will do the same. Thank you to everyone who helped me uncover this hidden gem and i wish you all the same or better luck!
-Chad
-Chad
DWalt
Member
I'd suggest that you get this revolver lettered. That may resolve any questions about its originality.
All the barrels are cut down (except the 8 3/4")----on purpose. That's how they were able to offer the option of virtually any barrel length. In other words, all RM barrels were originally made 8 3/4" long. If that suited you, you're good to go. If not, then they whacked it off to order. Theoretically at least, you were limited to one quarter inch increments in your barrel length selection. Other than that----you pick it, they cut it.
And yes, the company name on the barrel is in the same place on any/all of the barrels.
Ralph Tremaine
Actually I'm happy to know that you appreciate the gun, not for its' monetary value, but for its' sentimental value. It always bugs me when I see a new poster come here and want to know the value of a gun that has been in their family for many years so they can sell it.
Congratulations on having one incredible heirloom, along with "The" grail gun for most of the members here.
handejector
Staff member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2005
- Messages
- 26,125
- Reaction score
- 46,998
Actually, they were pretty popular.
The 3-1/2 is the fifth most common length for a Reg Mag.
The 'common' lengths, in order, were-
6-1/2
5
6
8-3/4
3-1/2
When the factory standardized barrel lengths and quit offering custom ordered lengths, the offerings were:
8-3/8
6-1/2
6
5
3-1/2
So, they were fairly popular from the beginning.
Do not listen to all those other guys. That gun you have is less than worthless, possibly a nice paperweight.
Since I am the only honest guy that has reponded to you in this matter, I am willing to take that piece of junk off your hands, I will even split the shipping with you.........................
Since I am the only honest guy that has reponded to you in this matter, I am willing to take that piece of junk off your hands, I will even split the shipping with you.........................
Real nice but.....
THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO ME!
THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO ME!
operator18
Member
Wouldn't that be sorta kinda like wasting peoples time on GB. Better idea is do an advanced search for completed auctions and you can get the ball park price.
Dont think he'll find many RMs there.
ElToro
Member
Hopefully the letter comes back with something neat like it was shipped to wife's grampa. That's a really choice piece. Please keep it in your family. Nice pick up. Pretty much every s&w revolver collector wants one and there's only 5500 of Them to go around. Wow. Really nice in case you didn't get that yet.
rog8732
US Veteran
I would consider one other option regarding that great gift.
in addition to the S&W historical letter I would ask Pops to hand write his tale about what he knows. I would also have several pictures made with him placing it in your hands with dates and so forth.
in addition to the S&W historical letter I would ask Pops to hand write his tale about what he knows. I would also have several pictures made with him placing it in your hands with dates and so forth.
Your wife's Great Grand Father had good taste.
Based on what you have told us this revolver is Priceless. One of those things that should never leave the family
I would not even waste the time to see what the Local Gun Shop would offer. Why let those guys get their fingerprints on a wonderful old masterpiece like this. You will only have to wipe it down once you get home.
DWalt
Member
I have a second residence on Fort Clark, Texas (near Del Rio), which is one of the early pre-civil war frontier forts. One of Patton's last commands prior to WWII was there, and his former residence on Officer's Row (the Patton House) still stands (and is privately occupied), very close to the Wainwright House, occupied by General Johnathan Wainright, who was the highest-ranking US officer captured by the Japanese in the Philippines. It's great to know that Patton had this RM on him when he was stationed there, and probably fired it on the same range where I fire now. It's still there. The Fort Clark museum has some mementos of both Patton and Wainright.
In his classic article written in 1989, Roy Jinks wrote that there were 5224 .357 Magnums built prior to the discontinuation of the registration numbers. Records were available for 4371, but not for the remaining 853. Available records indicated 314 were built in 3 1/2" barrel length and he estimated that 67 more were built out of the remaining 853 unknowns for an estimated total of 408. So you have a fairly uncommon gun.
No one that I see has given you a solid idea of its worth. I am certainly not an expert on these, but I have two, so I am interested in every one I see. I have seen pretty poorly used, and reblued RMs, with various barrel lengths priced at $4,000 and really nice ones in the box for $12,000 or so. A couple of years ago, I saw one in Wichita for $7,999 in 5" in about the same condition as yours. I saw a 3 1/2" earlier this year in perhaps a little better condition than yours priced over $7000.
You know that your family heirloom is priceless, but for insurance purposes, I would put a replacement value on it around $6,000 to $8,000. From the information above, I think that it will be difficult to find one in like condition for sale for less. That is just my observations, others may have other opinions. Congratulations on having a nice piece of family history, a connection to a different time in American history.
No one that I see has given you a solid idea of its worth. I am certainly not an expert on these, but I have two, so I am interested in every one I see. I have seen pretty poorly used, and reblued RMs, with various barrel lengths priced at $4,000 and really nice ones in the box for $12,000 or so. A couple of years ago, I saw one in Wichita for $7,999 in 5" in about the same condition as yours. I saw a 3 1/2" earlier this year in perhaps a little better condition than yours priced over $7000.
You know that your family heirloom is priceless, but for insurance purposes, I would put a replacement value on it around $6,000 to $8,000. From the information above, I think that it will be difficult to find one in like condition for sale for less. That is just my observations, others may have other opinions. Congratulations on having a nice piece of family history, a connection to a different time in American history.
roger bartlett
US Veteran
Talk about Christmas miracles! You are a very lucky man,enjoy your treasure--absolutely wonderful. Regards, Bart
coltle6920
Member
Cabela's Gun Library has two listed at a little over $7k. One of them dropped the price by a thousand.
Yeah,I know...just saying
Yeah,I know...just saying
Similar threads
