So this is where the FBI has been hanging out! I'd better pay more attention to the pre-war forum from now on. It appears it'll be in my economic interest to do so.
Chuck
Chuck
FBI non-registered magnum
- Thread starter LadyFed
- Start date
Welcome! Very nice find in great condition.
Something to check out, I noticed firing pin strikes on the cylinder face. This indicates a problem with lockup or carryup, or some strange gun handling. It can also damage the firing pin.
Can you tell us about the hunt for it?
Something to check out, I noticed firing pin strikes on the cylinder face. This indicates a problem with lockup or carryup, or some strange gun handling. It can also damage the firing pin.
Can you tell us about the hunt for it?
Originally posted by 29-1:
So this is where the FBI has been hanging out! I'd better pay more attention to the pre-war forum from now on. It appears it'll be in my economic interest to do so.
Chuck
Naw, Chuck. Go back up there with the "new" guns where you belong and leave LadyFed and her new toy down here where folks can appreciate the finer things in life.
(I think it's way too late to start worrying about your "economic interests" now. Sounds like the "hook's been set" pretty well!)
Bob
Welcome to the forum LadyFed, great gun and a first post that will be hard to top!
JayCeeNC - I never get tired of seeing your KCPD gun (great gun and photo), it's one of the few to survive with the original finish isn't it?
Originally posted by JayCeeNC:
Here's non-Registered Magnum serial# 61959 which shipped to the Kansas City, MO, Police Dept. on 7/3/1940. It shipped with a Baughman ramp like yours but was changed later to the gold bead front sight.
JayCeeNC - I never get tired of seeing your KCPD gun (great gun and photo), it's one of the few to survive with the original finish isn't it?
DHENRY
Member
LadyFed,
A really neat gun.
Congratulations, and enjoy 'Magnum fever'!
To second pbslinger's comment about the firing pin marks on the cylinder face, I, also, would recommend having the gun's timing checked by a competent 'smith so as to avoid future damage to an incredible find!
Don
A really neat gun.
Congratulations, and enjoy 'Magnum fever'!
To second pbslinger's comment about the firing pin marks on the cylinder face, I, also, would recommend having the gun's timing checked by a competent 'smith so as to avoid future damage to an incredible find!
Don
Yes, this one has not been refinished. Part of it's appeal to me is that it was a PD "working gun" and shows honest wear.
DHENRY
Member
John,
A beautiful example, in great shape!
Like your KCPD RM, I also show lots of wear from hard use.
Unfortunately, UNlike your gun, nobody seems to think I look any better for it!
Don
A beautiful example, in great shape!
Like your KCPD RM, I also show lots of wear from hard use.
Unfortunately, UNlike your gun, nobody seems to think I look any better for it!
Don
OP
LadyFed
US Veteran
pbslinger/DHENRY thanks for the good advice guys. I'll take it in next week to one of our gunsmiths. I was not planning to shoot the gun, and certainly won't do so now that you pointed out this problem.
Thanks again
Eliza
Thanks again
Eliza
LadyFed,
Here's a link to your I.E. (Bill) Nitschke. SA Nitschke was originally from Austin, TX.
http://historicalgmen.squarespace.com/1937-brady-gang-shootout-the/
Since you are rather new to the Forum, I want to avoid any embarrasement to you and let you know that the appropriate protocol for these historical things is to bundle all the material (including any guns, badges, holsters, pictures, etc.) and ship it back to the state of origin of the person in question. I'll handle the chain of evidence from that point.
Bob
PS.
There are lots of iteresting links in the left of this "G-Man" page.
B.
Here's a link to your I.E. (Bill) Nitschke. SA Nitschke was originally from Austin, TX.
http://historicalgmen.squarespace.com/1937-brady-gang-shootout-the/
Since you are rather new to the Forum, I want to avoid any embarrasement to you and let you know that the appropriate protocol for these historical things is to bundle all the material (including any guns, badges, holsters, pictures, etc.) and ship it back to the state of origin of the person in question. I'll handle the chain of evidence from that point.
Bob
PS.
There are lots of iteresting links in the left of this "G-Man" page.
B.
DHENRY
Member
Bob,
It is indeed a pleasure to see such a selfless and well-meaning offer!
Should any other RM owners do the same?
And will you pay shipping?
Don
It is indeed a pleasure to see such a selfless and well-meaning offer!
Should any other RM owners do the same?
And will you pay shipping?
Don
Tilton Hilton
Member
LadyFed,
Welcome to the forum and thank you for the great pics and enjoyable read.
Thanks to all other contributers, this has been one of the better threads I have read in a good while, personal and informative, with a good balance of pictures, and a touch of humor.
Just an aside, my lovely daughter graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in May and starts with the Bureau in January. Reports to Quantico. Will work at Headquarters. She also worked for the Bureau the summer of her Junior year.
Jim
Welcome to the forum and thank you for the great pics and enjoyable read.
Thanks to all other contributers, this has been one of the better threads I have read in a good while, personal and informative, with a good balance of pictures, and a touch of humor.
Just an aside, my lovely daughter graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in May and starts with the Bureau in January. Reports to Quantico. Will work at Headquarters. She also worked for the Bureau the summer of her Junior year.
Jim
OP
LadyFed
US Veteran
Jim, tell your daughter welcome aboard! I know of our intership program and it's been a great way to get young people (especially women) into the bureau. It is still a 'man's world' out here, if nothing else, due to the ratio of male/female agents, but it's been my experience that we girls are treated as equals. She's found a good home.
Eliza
Eliza
OP
LadyFed
US Veteran
Bob, so you're the one Chuck told me to watch out for! Since he's one of your fellow Texans, I've been well trained on your subtle style of humor. In other words, nice try Mr. Bettis
In all sincerity though, thank you Bob for the great link on SA Nitschke. That's exactly what I was looking for.
Eliza
Eliza
Originally posted by bettis1:
LadyFed,
Here's a link to your I.E. (Bill) Nitschke. SA Nitschke was originally from Austin, TX.
http://historicalgmen.squarespace.com/1937-brady-gang-shootout-the/
Since you are rather new to the Forum, I want to avoid any embarrasement to you and let you know that the appropriate protocol for these historical things is to bundle all the material (including any guns, badges, holsters, pictures, etc.) and ship it back to the state of origin of the person in question. I'll handle the chain of evidence from that point.
Bob
PS.
There are lots of iteresting links in the left of this "G-Man" page.
B.
Tilton Hilton
Member
Thanks Eliza. I'll pass it on.
Jim
Jim
glypnir
Member
I'd encourage you to shoot it. After you get the timing checked, of course.
My shooting experience is pretty limited, but the trigger on my Registered Magnum sure is sweet.
Try firing yours alternately with one of those junky Model 29s and see if you don't agree.
And firing it gives you some connection with the folks who carried it back in the day.
Mine's about 10000 back - 51111. Easy to remember. It went to a somewhat smaller law enforcement agency - The Granger, Texas police force.
My shooting experience is pretty limited, but the trigger on my Registered Magnum sure is sweet.
Try firing yours alternately with one of those junky Model 29s and see if you don't agree.
And firing it gives you some connection with the folks who carried it back in the day.
Mine's about 10000 back - 51111. Easy to remember. It went to a somewhat smaller law enforcement agency - The Granger, Texas police force.
kwill1911
Member
I'm late to this party but would encourage you to reconsider my good friend Dr. Bettis' offer to repatriate the gun to its home state. In fact, since I am from Austin I'm willing to let it live with me rather than the northern city of Dallas. I don't think there are any Texans left in Dallas.
On a more serious note, Frank Baughman was Hoover's oldest friend. They were fraternity brothers at George Washington University. Baughman enlisted in the Army in 1917 (Hoover did not) and was immediately shipped overseas. When he returned from France he was hired by Hoover and became the FBI's first ballistics expert and later the Bureau's firearms instructor. He remained Hoover's closest friend until he had the temerity to get married. Although his marriage eventually ended in divorce (FBI always came first), Hoover had moved on to Tolson as his #2. Baughman retired in 1949 and died of cancer in the 1960s.
On a more serious note, Frank Baughman was Hoover's oldest friend. They were fraternity brothers at George Washington University. Baughman enlisted in the Army in 1917 (Hoover did not) and was immediately shipped overseas. When he returned from France he was hired by Hoover and became the FBI's first ballistics expert and later the Bureau's firearms instructor. He remained Hoover's closest friend until he had the temerity to get married. Although his marriage eventually ended in divorce (FBI always came first), Hoover had moved on to Tolson as his #2. Baughman retired in 1949 and died of cancer in the 1960s.
Austin is not in Texas. It has been overrun by kalifornia.
glypnir
Member
I live in Texas too, but I don't want it.
I am not worthy.
Better it stay in the Federal Firearms Protection Program.
I am not worthy.
Better it stay in the Federal Firearms Protection Program.
dmc8163
Member
kwill1911
Thank you! I appreciate that information.
D
Thank you! I appreciate that information.
D
merlindrb
Member
LadyFed
Apologies for entering this debate somewhat belatedly, and welcome to the forum.
I kinda collect pre-war FBI and other pre war magnums. I've got several FBI guns now but somewhere along the way I slipped down the path of becoming interested in the agents themselves, their personal history. I'm particularly enthralled by Hoovers mid 30's gang busters, sometimes called the "cowboy shooters" or the "Flying Squad". I now have a couple of collections of personal memorabilia, photographs, movies etc. as well as guns and associated material. There's a link below to another thread on this forum on SA Jerry Campbell, which I guess you've already seen.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/540103904/m/564104749
I know Chuck pretty well and have never understood his obsession with portable hand-cannons. Still, it takes all sorts!! Luckily he doesn't post in this part of the forum much - we're too into "old" guns for his liking
Most of my FBI magnums were ordered through Frank Baughman in Quantico, so yours is rather unusual (and interesting). I had the privilege of handling Frank Baughman's own Reg Mag a couple of months ago, it was one of the very first made. It was a great honor to see and touch it.
My personal favorite FBI gun is far from being the best condition one that I own. However, it has some interesting history as it went to SA Birch O'Neal in March of 1939. O'Neal, like most other SA's, spent the war years in counter-intelligence work. He left the FBI after the war and joined the newly formed CIA where he went on to become Assistant Director of Counter-Intelligence before retiring in the 70's. I have a letter from his daughter stating that he carried the gun every day for over 30 years.
This collecting magnums is rather obsessive. Don't say we didn't warn you!
Apologies for entering this debate somewhat belatedly, and welcome to the forum.
I kinda collect pre-war FBI and other pre war magnums. I've got several FBI guns now but somewhere along the way I slipped down the path of becoming interested in the agents themselves, their personal history. I'm particularly enthralled by Hoovers mid 30's gang busters, sometimes called the "cowboy shooters" or the "Flying Squad". I now have a couple of collections of personal memorabilia, photographs, movies etc. as well as guns and associated material. There's a link below to another thread on this forum on SA Jerry Campbell, which I guess you've already seen.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/540103904/m/564104749
I know Chuck pretty well and have never understood his obsession with portable hand-cannons. Still, it takes all sorts!! Luckily he doesn't post in this part of the forum much - we're too into "old" guns for his liking
Most of my FBI magnums were ordered through Frank Baughman in Quantico, so yours is rather unusual (and interesting). I had the privilege of handling Frank Baughman's own Reg Mag a couple of months ago, it was one of the very first made. It was a great honor to see and touch it.
My personal favorite FBI gun is far from being the best condition one that I own. However, it has some interesting history as it went to SA Birch O'Neal in March of 1939. O'Neal, like most other SA's, spent the war years in counter-intelligence work. He left the FBI after the war and joined the newly formed CIA where he went on to become Assistant Director of Counter-Intelligence before retiring in the 70's. I have a letter from his daughter stating that he carried the gun every day for over 30 years.
This collecting magnums is rather obsessive. Don't say we didn't warn you!
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