Blued 4" Non-Registered Magnum (letter info added)

[Chopper1388]

I bought this blued 4" Non-Registered Magnum (serial number 61976, matches on the yoke, cylinder, extractor star, and barrel shroud) yesterday at a local gun store. Huge thanks to bmcgilvray for finding this gun and asking if I was interested in it! I've had some really good luck this year finding Smiths on my want list (and some that just followed me home), but I think this may be a once in a lifetime find. The NRM came with a serial numbered box with some of the paperwork. It has a hump back hammer, and a Baughman quick draw on a King ramp front sight with a square rear sight. Some "personalized" magna stocks with serial number, looks like 61956. The monogram is "JCB" in a triangle insert, too bad it's not TCB with a lightning bolt. The magnas are also "thinned" at the bottom. It makes for a comfortable grip if nothing else. It has HEAVY holster wear and it has been shot a bunch (still great lock up though). What is left of the finish is original, I believe. If it was refinished, they did an excellent job, no rework stamps on the frame under the stocks, none of the pins are flat, the side plate seam still looks tight and is sharp to the touch when removed, same with the yoke where it meets with the frame under the barrel.

This revolver is exactly how I like my Smiths, still mechanically sound, but not so perfect of a finish you feel bad about shooting/carrying it.

 

[Chopper1388]

Some pictures of the box and its contents.

 

[Chopper1388]

I do plan on getting a letter for this one to see if it shipped with the 4" barrel. It does look factory original, as far as I can tell.

The last two digits on the serial number on the magnas are hard to read because the gun had a grip adapter on it at some point in its life.

 

[Modified]

I am absolutely green with envy. The word congratulations isn't strong enough.

Once in a lifetime is indeed true. You have an absolute gem there. We will need a range report, you are going to adore shooting it. These guns are meant to be shot, and they are an absolute joy at the range.

The personalization appears to be silver. I wouldn't be surprised at all if your letter (and SWHF documentation) tells you who JCB is. That will add a dimension of fun to the gun that is unparalleled in pretty much all other forms of gun collecting. The SWHF is absolutely amazing.

The only thing to do other than get it properly lettered is find yourself a set of ropers that fit your hand for some extra fun at the range with it. The magnas are good, but a set of nice Ropers really complete a gun like this.

 

[quinn]

Outstanding! Biu some lottery tickets NOW.
BTW: I have NRMs 609xx (4") which shipped to KCMO PD and 624xx (3.5") which shippped to Wichita PD in the last shipment of magums before production stopped in 1940 for wartime. No boxes or any paperwork in sight though. Congrats again.

Gig Em '68

 

[22hipower]

Great find, love the gun. Guess I need to visit more shops in North Texas.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[SS336]

My word, that is really something! I am with Modified 100greenwithenvy%. Beautiful revolver.
I would change my name to match the initials…just saying.

 

[Chopper1388]

Again, the finish looks original to my untrained eye. There are no factory rework stamps on the grip frame. The side plate logo is a little light on the left side, but the side plate seam doesn't look buffed out. And the rebound slide spring pin under the stock panel is still domed and not flattened off.

 

[Chopper1388]

Great find, love the gun. Guess I need to visit more shops in North Texas.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

No you do not. I've seen some of your beautiful revolvers on here and you should leave some for the rest of us.

 

[bob1956]

Not sure what you paid for that gun but it's as nice as one could ask to find. The box is excellent shape for its age. I'd probably put a second mortgage on the farm to own it! Congrats the chief must really like you to let it slip thru his hands!

 

[Truckman]

Wow! What a find!......Ben

 

[lestert357]

Chopper, I put a ship date request in on this gun earlier today; we'll see what Roy comes back with. After seeing the gun my guess is that it did not ship to the KCPD even though the configuration is correct for a KCPD Magnum, and it is in the serial number range. BTW, I think your 75% condition estimate is low; I'm going to put 90% in the database. Congratulations on a great find!

 

[Keith Brown]

Thats a beauty, and with the box no less ! I have see a couple sets of magnas thinned like that at the base, even recreated a set once for a customer. I think it was done by someone who knew exactly what he needed to carry under a coat.

Gret pics, thanks for showing

 

[bmcgilvray]

Well there it is!

Yea Chopper1388!

That ol' raggy revolver has taken on a warm glow since coming to roost in your safe.

A factory letter is anticipated with much enthusiasm.

 

[Troystat]

Awesome revolver, it does not get much better than this one.

 

[John Patrick]

That's a great revolver! Congrats!

 

[kaaskop49]

There are 2 words to describe this revolver: Oh my! It 'screams' of a LE background: it's the weapon of a gunman, someone who really knew what he needed on the street. I love it!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Ruger 13]

Very nice pistola!

 

[agent00]

Very beautiful revolver. Such early 357 mag revolvers are unreliable for guys in Austria because they are really in Europe at best. Maybe they have not made it over the pond at all. The earliest 357 mags I have seen at the used gun market are some m19-3 or some of the m66s.

They are also beautiful pieces but these early 357mags are some else. I find them very physically appealing. I really like this early and mid 20th century sixshooters.

 

[handejector]

Congratulations! That is a neat package.
What I see:
You have 61956 for the grip number. It is 61976 to my eye.
I think the grips match.
I see no signs of a refinish and the barrel crown looks RIGHTEOUS.
The box is original, and I believe it is the shortest one- the hardest one to get.
I do not believe the Nox-Rust paper is original. From researching it years ago, it seems that VCI paper was invented in WW II to preserve aircraft engine parts at forward air bases in the Pacific theater. The other papers are period correct.

Thats a beauty, and with the box no less ! I have see a couple sets of magnas thinned like that at the base, even recreated a set once for a customer. I think it was done by someone who knew exactly what he needed to carry under a coat.

Gret pics, thanks for showing

LEAVE THOSE GRIPS ALONE!
That modification has appeared on some known FBI guns. It was done to help keep the grips from wearing jacket liners. The Factory began offering a similar style in 1952. Here is Jerry Campbell's (a notable member of "Hoover's Shooters") gun:

Here is an album of Jerry's guns: http://smith-wessonforum.com/members/handejector-albums-fbi-jerry-campbell.html
I won't be surprised at all if you learn JCB or JBC (?) turns out to be an LEO.
I own a Reg Mag that belonged to a US Marshal who knew FBI agents and received the gun in Washington DC that also has that grip modification. I think it spread amongst LEOs that saw it on other guy's guns.