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

[Hair Trigger]

The monogram is "JCB" in a triangle insert, too bad it's not TCB with a lightning bolt.

Who would "TCB with a lightning bolt" be? "GSP" is the only monogram on a RM .357 that I know the meaning of, but we all know where that one is.

That is one helluva find. I hope it didn't hurt too much. Clean it and shoot it is all I'd ever do to it. Wow.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Chopper
Without tipping my hand, all I'll say is it didn't travel far from home!

 

[RKmesa]

I bought this blued 4" Non-Registered Magnum...

CONGRATS!!! Great Gun!!!

...You have 61956 for the grip number. It is 61976 to my eye.

I agree with Lee - the SN is 61976. Looks like a clip-on grip adapter (e.g. Tyler T Grip) was worn by the gun and impacted the SN on the inside grip. But I can see the 7.

The box is original, and I believe it is the shortest one- the hardest one to get.

Lee:

While I do agree that the box is original to the gun, I think the box is the medium box, as the all of the small boxes, (which are definitely the rarest) that I have owned (three of them) or seen (maybe a handful or two more) have the "The .357 Magnum Revolver" printed on the left side of the box top, rather than on the right side. Here is an example of the small box:



I'm very much looking forward to learning more about this great gun. Thanks for sharing,

 

[handejector]

I think you're right, Richard. I haven't seen a short box in so long I forgot how short they actually are!

 

[RKmesa]

I think you're right, Richard. I haven't seen a short box in so long I forgot how short they actually are!

This is the size info I have for my pre-war .357 Magnum boxes:

Large (15.25" x 5.25"), Medium (13" x 5"), and Small (11.5" x 4.5"). Measurements are for the lid dimensions.

We almost never see the small ones. Per my very unscientific observations, the medium ones are slightly more common than the large ones.

 

[PALADIN85020]

Back in the day, S&W could and often did mail their guns direct to individuals or law enforcement agencies. I have a couple that lettered that way. There's a chance that a letter might reveal the original owner or agency!

John

 

[Muley Gil]

Who would "TCB with a lightning bolt" be? "GSP" is the only monogram on a RM .357 that I know the meaning of, but we all know where that one is.

That is one helluva find. I hope it didn't hurt too much. Clean it and shoot it is all I'd ever do to it. Wow.

Elvis Presley. TCB with a lightning bolt was "Taking Care of Business".

 

[larryofcc]

Elvis Presley. TCB with a lightning bolt was "Taking Care of Business".

Yes, he was a gun collector, and the greatest singer who ever lived. Big Larry

 

[Chopper1388]

Who would "TCB with a lightning bolt" be? "GSP" is the only monogram on a RM .357 that I know the meaning of, but we all know where that one is.

That is one helluva find. I hope it didn't hurt too much. Clean it and shoot it is all I'd ever do to it. Wow.

I thought Elvis had some of his guns engraved with his Taking Care of Business (TCB) logo.

ETA: I'm too slow on typing. Already answered above.

 

[Chopper1388]

This is the size info I have for my pre-war .357 Magnum boxes:

Large (15.25" x 5.25"), Medium (13" x 5"), and Small (11.5" x 4.5"). Measurements are for the lid dimensions.

It is a Medium box as it does measure 13" x 5"

Thank you for the info.

 

[DARE]

You have already said you are going to get a letter. Don Mundell gave you a hint that the gun has not travelled far. Don't think Don gives hints on uninteresting guns.
My guess would be that you have a Texas gun with LEO provenance, maybe FBI.
I have a pre-war magnum that belonged to an FBI agent in San Antonio.
Think I have seen several other forum members post pre-war magnums with Texas LEO provenance.
Welcome to the club.
Congrats on a wonderful acquisition.

 

[Krogen]

Exciting mystery! I can't wait to see how this shakes out. Something about guns with a history sets my imagination on fire. The old saying "if these guns could talk" just barely touches on it. I want to talk with the owners! Just like genealogy intrigues me. I want to talk with my ancestors. At least with firearms, you have an object to look at, shoot, whatever. Genealogy is often just names and dates.

As Mork from Ork would say: I'm standing by with "worm on tongue." (i.e. "bated breath") Keep us posted OP!

 

[kaaskop49]

Based on the many learned posts since my original post, I guess I was correct in thinking this magnificent revolver was/is a 'cop gun.'

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[lestert357]

Just heard from Dr. Jinks as follows: ".357 Magnum serial 61976 was shipped in August 1940."

So we definitely know this gun was NOT shipped to the KCPD as the last pre-war .357 Magnum shipment to the KCPD was in July 1940.

I was hoping for an additional clue from Dr. Jinks but it was not to be. For now we will have to settle for Club Gun Fan's clue in post #22 above.

 

[Chopper1388]

The letter is in! The gun was shipped on August 7, 1940 to Sergeant Churchman of the University Park (where Southern Methodist University is) Police Department. University Park is a part of Dallas, Texas. After a quick search, I was able to find out his first name was Joe. So the monogram is not JCB, but JBC for Joe B. Churchman. He seemed to have a long career with University Park PD, he made Captain and was also involved in several local shooting competitions. I look forward trying to find out more about the previous owner.

 

[lawandorder]

In that time frame, if I remember correctly the University Park Police wore a Sunburst badge, mirroring what Dallas PD wore.

Great artifact of L E history.

 

[DARE]

I went to Highland Park High School and lived in University Park. Highland Park and University Park together are known as the Park Cities. Mockingbird Lane is the dividing line. University Park is north of Mockingbird and Highland Park is south.
Although they are surrounded by Dallas, I believe they are both municipalities and not part of Dallas.
Congrats on a pre-war .357 Magnum with Texas LEO provenance.

 

[bluetopper]

Here he is......

Joseph Benjamin Churchman (1911-1988) - Find a Grave Memorial

 

[SAFireman]

Congrats on a VERY nice gun!

I got lucky a few years ago and acquired the Chief's Non-Registered Magnum. It has been posted here on the forum before. Mine came with numbered magnas and a humpback hammer as well. This is one of my favorite shooters.

The Myres and Sambar stags are my own additions. My dad gave me the patch a few years back.