Help Identifying old .357 magnum revolver

[29aholic]

From one of the photos, I can see that the top strap is checkered. That would make this revolver an N frame S&W Model 27. I believe that the short-barrel model was a 3.5-inch barrel.

I like guys like you especially if they own a gunshop

A friend of mine bought an RM from somebody like that, that was uninformed.

The Model 27 is a direct descendant of the Registered Magnum and to a lesser degree so is the Model 28.

The RM was S&W's premier offering up until the debut of the 44 Magnum and had special features and options not offered on any other model (including the checkered top). RM's could be ordered in barrel lengths in 1/4" (or 1/2"?) from 3.5" up to 8+". The one length that strayed from that was the 8 3/8" which was built to conform to shooting match rules. One could order any number of different sight options and the factory would sight the gun in with ammo specified by the purchaser and at a specified distant and hold (center hold or 6 O'clock). We have records of one that was sighted in at 100 yards with Magnum ammo. We also have records of guns sighted in at 25 yards 6 O'clock hold with 38 special ammo.

Model 27's are great guns but absolutely pale in comparison to an RM.

 

[3rdRRU_PhuBai]

Today, Registered Magnum #716 auctioned for $6500 on GB.

 

[jframejoey]

kings

Even cooler is your GF's Reg. Mag. has what looks like KINGS Super Police Night Sights on it. Ive only seen them on fixed sight guns and those have only been in posts on this forum. Also uncommon to see a bobbed hammer like that from that era Fitzs and copies excluded.