Help to Identify S&W .357 Magnum (pre-model number)
- Thread starter Wogman
- Start date
More pictures please and tell us about your dad
samandglove1
Member
Really really nice revolver you have there, and rare barrel length also. The fact that it is your Father's handgun is icing on the cake.
If it was mine I would hold it for my son. Otherwise, I would have it until my last days. I would sell every firearm I had before I would let go of my Dad's gun. Treasure it and welcome to the forum.
If it was mine I would hold it for my son. Otherwise, I would have it until my last days. I would sell every firearm I had before I would let go of my Dad's gun. Treasure it and welcome to the forum.
flagman1776
Member
Wish my DAD had passed something like this to US! The best I have is his Army officer's sword presented to him at his commissioning in 1937. His Army career was cut short as he was involved in top secret electronics...
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Memphis
Member
The hammer is very interesting as it appears it started out as an original Reg Mag hammer due to the concentric grooves.
Maybe modified later with the wide spur? I dunno, but it is interesting.
Great gun, especially with the certificate! Would LOVE to see a pic of that certificate. Those are few and very far between.
Thanks for showing it to us.
Roger
Maybe modified later with the wide spur? I dunno, but it is interesting.
Great gun, especially with the certificate! Would LOVE to see a pic of that certificate. Those are few and very far between.
Thanks for showing it to us.
Roger
King Double Cock-eyed hammers were made that way. King started out with a regular hammer and modified it. If memory serves me, you could order this option from the factory. I've owned RMs with the very same hammer.
One thing I would do is remover the plastic, post war, grip adapter. I thinks it detracts from an otherwise rare (7.5") correct revolver.
One thing I would do is remover the plastic, post war, grip adapter. I thinks it detracts from an otherwise rare (7.5") correct revolver.
05CarbonDRZ
Member
WOW....Just Wow.And I agree about the cheap plastic grip adapter,I would remove that asap.
05CarbonDRZ
Member
I don't know about Cheely grade but it is nice....
5BeansintheWheel
Member
This thread made my day!!! Thanks, and all the best to your dad!
Patrick
Patrick
so what about your dad and his shooting and what he taught you ?
The gun is great better than something I'll own but me I'd like the "Story". I mean no disrespect ....actually quite the contrary.
The gun is great better than something I'll own but me I'd like the "Story". I mean no disrespect ....actually quite the contrary.
DWalt
Member
Another consideration is that of insuring it. With the registration certificate and the original box, it is not out of the realm of possibility that it could sell in the low 5 figures. If you are an NRA member (and you should be) you can get gun insurance through them, or possibly via a rider on your home coverage.
What a great gift from your dad…..gun, box, and certificate…….this is a very valuable combination…….and a family heirloom that could never be replaced……these RM's are some of the most rare, and sought after revolvers that S&W ever made…..you have a real treasure…….please talk with your dad, and see if you can find the story behind this gun, and share it with the members of this forum.
Semper Fi!
Semper Fi!
ironhead7544
Member
I heard that some of the early RMs were made with a 7 and 1/2 inch barrel. Then, to meet the maximum sight radius of 10 inch for NRA target rules it was made in 8 and 3/8 inches. I am sure this is a rare one.
S&W advertised the .357 Magnum revolver, when first introduced in 1935, as available with any barrel length from 3 1/2" to 8 3/4", in 1/4" increments. The maximum length was reduced to 8 3/8" due to the US Revolver Association, not the NRA, rule for a maximum sight radius of 10".
Muley, I respectfully submit that isn't entirely correct. It is correct that RMs were offered for 3.5" to 8 3/4ths" in 1/4" increments, but I don't believe that 8 3/8ths" was ever made the maximum length. It was offered though, and customers ordered barrels in that length (8 3/8th") for the US Revolver Association matches you mentioned, however, I believe that S&W continued to offer the 8 3/4ths" barrel until pre war production stopped. As a matter of fact, I believe all barrels started out from a 8 3/4ths " tube that was shortened to order. Here is a RM I use to own that was ordered in 3.5" for a Omaha PD detective, and then went back for a 8 3/8ths" barrel for the before mentioned matches.
When transitional and post war production began, the 8 3/8ths then became the maximum length on the .357.
When transitional and post war production began, the 8 3/8ths then became the maximum length on the .357.
Forester
Member
Wow, one if the best "I have this old gun" thread I've ever witnessed. To the OP, great gun. You've got a treasure there, and not just for it's monetary value.
Welcome to the Forum 
You've made quite an entrance!
I can't add anything that hasn't been said about the gun. It looks like it's in excellent condition with a not so common barrel length. An original box and any paperwork are just icing on the cake.
On a side note, spend as much time as you can with your Pops while he's still around. Learn all you can from him and listen to his stories so that you can one day pass them along to your kids. Enjoy the time you have left with him!
You've made quite an entrance!
I can't add anything that hasn't been said about the gun. It looks like it's in excellent condition with a not so common barrel length. An original box and any paperwork are just icing on the cake.
On a side note, spend as much time as you can with your Pops while he's still around. Learn all you can from him and listen to his stories so that you can one day pass them along to your kids. Enjoy the time you have left with him!
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