Four 1st Year Magnums

[DARE]

I have these old guns.
.357 Magnum 1935
.357 Combat Magnum 1956
.44 Magnum 1956 (just acquired)
Model 53 .22 Centerfire Magnum 1961

The .357 Magnum became the Model 27. Next April "The World's Most Powerful Revolver" will turn 90. REG #1 went to J. Edgar Hoover. REG #2 went to Phil Sharpe. REG #8 went to Ed McGivern.

The .357 Combat Magnum became the Model 19 and was produced from 1956 to 1999. K260001 shipped to Bill Jordan. K260003 engraved for John F. Kennedy by Alvin White but never delivered.

The .44 Magnum became the Model 29. 2025 will be the 69th anniversary of the "Most Powerful Handgun in the World." S130942 went to General Julian Hatcher. S147220 went to Elmer Keith.

The Model 53 .22 Centerfire Magnum was produced from 1961 to 1974. "The Jet" total was 14,956 manufactured. 4K82595 engraved by Russ Smith went to Elvis Presley.

Planning on taking these guns to Concord, NC next June. "1st Year Magnums" is my tentative table title. Would appreciate your suggestions.

Will have letters, invoices and other SWHF documents. An SWCA member has offered some early literature and advertisements. That will be a big addition. Any ideas y'all have to improve the display much appreciated.

 

[DEF3]

Now that’s the kind of CM/19 I’m lookin for. Good theme to follow through with I think. Would be a table I’d be wanting to check out.

 

[22hipower]

Curious about the ship to location on that first year four inch 44 Magnum. Do let us know when you get your letter.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[treysl78]

Early 4"

I would also like to know the s/n on the 4" and a ship date. I have a VERY early 4" Pre 29. S147538 serial and shipped February 26, 1957 to Hunt & Whitaker, Inc., Corner N Farish & Amite in Jackson, Mississippi. Always love to learn more and more!

 

[DARE]

Serial number S153063. Bill Cross says shipped December 1956.

 

[quinn]

Congratuations Dave, that is an assemblage you won't often see. Way cool.

 

[ameridaddy]

Nice theme and guns! How long did it take you to gather them from first acquisition to last?

 

[DARE]

The .44 Magnum I bought just a few days ago. The .357 Magnum and the Model 53 I have owned for 30 years. Most of the guns I own came from my father's estate. The .357 Combat Magnum I acquired 30 years ago from the estate, but sold a few years back. By a stroke of luck I was able to reacquire it a year or so ago. Here is a link to that story. .357 Combat Magnum Coming Home
Have made some poor decisions. The reason I was in the market for a .44 Magnum is that I sold one that came from my dad. His was a 4 screw from 1958. Found this 1st year gun to replace it. That gave me the idea for the display, since I now have four 1st year magnums. I have been as lucky as a pig in excrement.

Things don't always work out. Here is one more thread Sad Story/Happy Ending/Sad Story
Almost went three for three.

 

[spin132]

Awesome collection Dave, I may have to attend my first annual just to see!

Mike

 

[spin132]

I would also like to know the s/n on the 4" and a ship date. I have a VERY early 4" Pre 29. S147538 serial and shipped February 26, 1957 to Hunt & Whitaker, Inc., Corner N Farish & Amite in Jackson, Mississippi. Always love to learn more and more!

The ship dates on these early 44's are crazy! I own S 156473 that shipped to Rex Firearms in NY on January 8, 1957. Your serial # 147538 is 8935 units earlier than mine, yet shipped a month afterwards! Go figure...

Mike

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

 

[DARE]

Mike,
That sure is a purdy .44 Magnum. Maybe if you come to Concord we will put your guns on the table also. Have seen your beautiful 1st year Combat Magnum. No telling what else you have.

 

[Gun Relics]

Might not be too difficult to locate a model 57 first year .41 magnum and go 5 for 5. I happened to walk into my local gun shop and found one sitting in the case barely fired.

 

[CHARLIE699]

Wonderful collection!! Always like seeing the "first-year" Magnum revolvers. This is a 1961 M53 w/ box, inserts & booklet. Box # does not match but very close. Apparently, the previous owner had several & mixed boxes when he sold them.

,,and a first-year Highway Patrolman

 

[MSD2343]

Congratulations on such an outstanding collection of first year magnums. Anyone here would be thrilled to own just one of these pieces let alone all four.

Just a quick question for the peanut gallety: Is it really the case that the Models 27 and 29 have been in continuous production until today? Wasn’t there a period of several years prior to the introduction of the Classic Series Revolvers when these models were out of production?

 

[DARE]

The continuous production claim for the 27 and the 29 was an assumption on my part.
Looking at SCSW 4th, says the model 27 produced from 1948 to 1994 with special production from 1997 to 2000.
On the model 29 do not see anything listed after 2012.
I stand corrected and will modify my post.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Might not be too difficult to locate a model 57 first year .41 magnum and go 5 for 5. I happened to walk into my local gun shop and found one sitting in the case barely fired.

Very nice group of fine blued revolvers! Do you intend to continue your search and acquisition of first year magnums? If so, you'll have to expand your collection to include nickel plated first years, and the SS revolvers, too...66s, 627s, 629s, 657s, etc. Now that would be an outstanding display! Good hunting, and enjoy!

 

[TheTinMan]

The ship dates on these early 44's are crazy! I own S 156473 that shipped to Rex Firearms in NY on January 8, 1957. Your serial # 147538 is 8935 units earlier than mine, yet shipped a month afterwards! Go figure...

Mike

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

Roy Jinks tells me that my 4” .44 Magnum serial number S153134 shipped in July of 1956. Apparently it is one of the very first to leave Springfield but it’s barely 3000 away from your serial number.

 

[DARE]

No plans for more guns. Had a first year .41 Mag. Another one that I sold but should have kept. Probably I should be taken out and shot.

I have an idea. If people coming to Concord have other 1st year magnums we could put them on my table or tables. Four guns might need more than one table with the accompanying paperwork. Probably a Model 48 .22 Magnum and a Model 57 .41 Magnum would be all that was needed. Maybe change the table title to "1st Year Magnums 1935 to 1964."

 

[A10]

That is a very nice collection! I'm hoping to get to the gathering next year as well and see these in person. One thing that impresses me is these are no safe queens, all have been used but properly cared for.

 

[spin132]

Roy Jinks tells me that my 4” .44 Magnum serial number S153134 shipped in July of 1956. Apparently it is one of the very first to leave Springfield but it’s barely 3000 away from your serial number.

The serial #'s are truly all over the place. In the SWHF Jinks & Cross book "Early .44 Magnum Information", one of the very first revolvers listed is 130705 which is 22,429 lower than your's also shipped in July of 1956!

Is your's is a 4" or 6.5"?

Mike