A Scratched Up Registered Magnum

22hipower

22hipower

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This one was shipped to Wilson S. Horne at the Evansville, Indiana police department on September 20, 1939. Mr Horne must have been an interesting character given his comments in his August 30, 1939 (see below) letter to S&W ordering the gun.

I understand that Baughman ramp sights were popular at the time in police circles (Baughman was a friend of J Edgar Hoover and featured prominently in the selection of FBI firearms) which is probably why Horne ordered one for this gun. While the Baughman ramp makes sense on four to six inch guns it is a little odd that he’d order one for an eight inch. This one is exactly eight inches, one of only 23 produced on Registered Magnums; Baughman ramp on a King base.

So far I have no information on when the gun was engraved or who did it. If anyone has any thoughts as to who the engraver might have been that would be much appreciated.

Thanks to RKmesa for his assessment and advice and of course to SWCA member mokuloa for parting with it.

And a plug for the SWCA and the annual Symposium. If you aren’t a member but love S&Ws you might want to consider membership. The annual Symposiums are great (next one is coming up in June at Charlotte/Concord, NC).

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2n22E6d https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/,

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https://flic.kr/p/2n24kZA ,

https://flic.kr/p/2n22E5r https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/,

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Nice gun and really nice to have the history behind. Wilson definitely had a good sense of humor along with his great taste in firearms. I don’t think the engraving is going to hurt the value : )
 
Neat gun! Especially with having a rare 8” barrel. I have no idea who did the engraving, but it looks nice and has good coverage. Congratulations. 👍
 
Jeff:

Great photos of that beauty!!! Are those the grips it had on it when it was at the Symposium? If so, I did not remember how nice they are.:cool:

... and I second your endorsement of the SWCA and the annual Symposiums - great displays, great information, great conversation, and even better people!:D:) Where else would you find a group of people (in person) who will geek out with you over a Baughman front sight on an 8" RM, WHILE inspecting it right there in person! Very fun times.
 
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RKmesa said:
Jeff:

Are those the grips it had on it when it was at the Symposium?
Click to expand...

Yes Richard, the grips are the ones that were on it. I'd like to have a nice set of magnas to match the letter but these do look pretty good, maybe better with the engraving than would magnas.

Already wondering what treasures will turn up at the Symposium in Charlotte that we can admire. . . .and maybe take home.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
22hipower said:
...Already wondering what treasures will turn up at the Symposium in Charlotte that we can admire. . . .and maybe take home.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
Click to expand...

I am hoping that there is a certain engraved Model 53 with ivory grips and an "H" discretely hidden on the right sideplate that can go home with you, making a trio of "H" marked guns in your impressive collection.:)
 
Super gun and great thread. Congratulations on your acquisition!! Can I ask a question? My only HBH is on a K frame. Are the N and K frame HBHs configured differently? Same hammer? My HBH looks differently (?) than yours.
Should also add I appreciate and enjoy your thoughts and information provided in these threads.
Thanks Dave
 
Beautiful Registered magnum.Could someone enlighten me about the rear sight since it different than the sights on my 2 RM`s.
 
Thinnes said:
Can I ask a question? My only HBH is on a K frame. Are the N and K frame HBHs configured differently? Same hammer? My HBH looks differently (?) than yours.

What are those grips? Aged ivory?
Click to expand...

Sorry, I can't help with your HBH question but perhaps someone else here can.

As to the grips, some type of stag but I don't know the specific variant.

Jeff
SWCA #1457
 
That’s beautiful! It has it all for sure. I like the stocks on it now they make it look even better if that’s possible.
 
Thinnes said:
Can I ask a question? My only HBH is on a K frame. Are the N and K frame HBHs configured differently? Same hammer? My HBH looks differently (?) than yours.
Click to expand...

Dave:

The hammers on the pre-war 357's, including what we call "Registered Magnums" all had the concentric serrations on the sides. That is the primary difference between the K-Frame HBH and the RM HBH.

K-Frame:





... and Jeff's RM N-Frame HBH from above:

51864153760_9aff77c2d3_c.jpg


Just a note that other N-Frame HBH's did not have the concentric grooves as noted on this 38/44 Outdoorsman:



 
The reason I asked, both of my RM`s have two small screws for elevation, one I believe raises the sight and he other locks it.On the RM in this post it appears the sight is more of a post war type with single elevation screw.Maybe its the way I am seeing it but appears different with the raised hump and elevation screw.
 
After seeing the picture Richard posted it was just the way I was looking at it on the phone I believe.
 
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