Help to Identify S&W .357 Magnum (pre-model number)

[gkitch]

Sir, wonderful revolver and a well-preserved bit of American history.

Welcome to the forum.

I must very respectfully disagree with those who advise to keep it in the family. While that is usually sound advice, I have long believed that when a gun is particularly rare it is best sold to a true collector who will appreciate it and take care of it. Collectors will preserve it and tell its story, then eventually pass it to another worthy recipient.

Keeping a rare gun in the family is appropriate when the family member who inherits is also somewhat of an enthusaist. If no one else in the family is likely to fully appreciate it, it is best sold and the money put into an education or other family oriented investment.

I was once a cop and relieved a "gentleman" of a family-passed 1911 from the Great War. I could not help but to reflect on the many family members who passed this fine weapon down until it made its way into this crack-head's unworthy hands. Sad, and something somewhat similar could happen to any family.

I personally plan to sell off all my truly valuable collector pieces when in my late 70's or so, God willing. Just a few very personal guns of only moderate cash value will stay in the immediate family, but I digress. The bottom line is my original point that a very valuable collector's piece is best sold to a collector who will cherish it, store it properly and safely, and preserve its history. Never feel guilty or greedy about selling such a fine piece to a worthy recipient.

 

[Culina]

Very nice RM, I think it would be hard to top the OP's first post and I have the feeling its just going to get better. Its nice to see something other than "I have a .38 Special CTG, what is it" kind of a thread.

 

[Art Doc]

The gun is too nice to remain with the family? It should go to a collector who will appreciate it and properly care for it? That ranks right up there with "I need to sell this because it's too nice for me to own" as among the most ridiculous things I have ever heard.

It's a gun. A very valuable gun, but still just a mechanical object. I continue to be amazed at the reverence I see expressed for inanimate objects on this forum. People describe themselves as servants to the guns. Sorry, that's nuts in my book. Guns are not be worshiped in my opinion. Especially when one takes it to the point of telling someone what he should do with his own property. If someone were to suggest that I wasn't fit to own one of my possessions my response might not be particularly gentile.

 

[gkitch]

Saxon Pig, if my observations and opinion seemed to indicate that I, or anybody else, has the authority to tell someone what to do with their property then I apologize profusely for articulating my thoughts so poorly. Such is neither my interpretation of the friendly conversation we are having nor my intent in interjecting a differing point of view. Others have freely advised the owner to keep the gun in the family and, as said, that is usually good advice. There are always other factors and one should never be made to feel guilty about selling such an item either.

Just for the record, I am neither a serious collector nor well heeled enough to make a reasonable offer on the firearm in question. I have known many serious collectors, worked with museums, and have watched families keep things in their families that meant absolutely nothing to the kids. All about family heirlooms but I have great respect for the historical preservation accomplished by many of the passionate collectors I've known. I enjoy hearing the stories and learning the details from them. I have enjoyed much the same from those who have shown me a cherished family heirloom...and that is usually much better. Still, if I inheirited a Stativarius from a musician ancestor it would be for sale. I would have neither the passion to really appreciate it nor the expertise to properly preserve it. If my daughter were musicly inclined the decision may be different....

 

[Art Doc]

"I must very respectfully disagree with those who advise to keep it in the family. While that is usually sound advice, I have long believed that when a gun is particularly rare it is best sold to a true collector who will appreciate it and take care of it. Collectors will preserve it and tell its story, then eventually pass it to another worthy recipient.

Keeping a rare gun in the family is appropriate when the family member who inherits is also somewhat of an enthusaist. If no one else in the family is likely to fully appreciate it, it is best sold and the money put into an education or other family oriented investment." -gkitch

I am just reading what was written. If this isn't telling the owner what to do with his property, and suggesting the owner isn't worthy to keep such a valuable piece, then I am missing it. But as with anything, advice (no matter how insulting) may be offered, but nobody is under any requirement to follow it.

 

[Nicksterdemus]

Let's take it to the range fire a few hundred rounds of cheap ammo through her and take pictures of it really, really dirty.

My brother suggested once that I write a manifest of identification and value for him in case of my sudden/unexpected demise.
That would help him expedite relocating my meager accumulations.

Hey-Zeus wept.

I laughed.

 

[Doc44]

Very nice Registered Magnum with a 7 1/2-inch barrel. It is a great family heirloom to be kept and cared for.

Bill

 

[Wogman]

With such constructive feedback in this forum, all of which I respectfully wish to thank each of you for, I owe the true enthusiasts the 'real story' behind this particular piece. Although this will take a little more research, again I thank you for what should have been painfully obvious and I give you my word that I won't miss the opportunity, that my father has always made available in his humble ways to offer.
I know one thing, I was wrong in that this was my father's first gun, it fact it was his dads. The Sr., passed away a retired full bird colonel, who had served in both our WW. My dad always cared for the firearm since his father's passing in '58 and before handing it to me in the '80's. The actual history will now be compiled, as this has been a bit of a wakeup call to the importance of history…bless you all.

 

[Nicksterdemus]

As current steward due diligence rests squarely upon your shoulders.

"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown".

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Whatever You decide to do with it at least you now know exactly what you have.My Head hurts as I think of you walking into a Gun shop with it asking questions.You found a good group of honest people here who care more about the Guns then the all mighty Dollar.

 

[Leslie Sapp]

The actual history will now be compiled, as this has been a bit of a wakeup call to the importance of history…

Thank you for the great post! Please be sure and tell us the whole story once you get it from your dad. Treasure your Grandads gun- there's nothing quite like handling a tool one of your ancestors used.

 

[DWalt]

It might to be fun to take that RM into a gun shop (with box and certificate), act dumb, and ask them if they would be interested in buying it to see what the offer is.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

It might to be fun to take that RM into a gun shop (with box and certificate), act dumb, and ask them if they would be interested in buying it to see what the offer is.

If you do please wear a hidden Camera or at least a tape recorder in your pocket,I would LOVE to see/hear what goes down

 

[ironhead7544]

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".

Right on that. I guess my CRS flared up a bit.

 

[Wogman]

Sad part is, yesterday I would not have been acting...thanks!

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Sad part it, yesterday I would not have been acting...scary really!

VERY scary,You could have been hoodwinked!

 

[gkitch]

"I know one thing, I was wrong in that this was my father's first gun, it fact it was his dads. The Sr., passed away a retired full bird colonel, who had served in both our WW. My dad always cared for the firearm since his father's passing in '58 and before handing it to me in the '80's."

Wogman, did your grandfather ever work with Gen Patton? LTC George Patton ordered a 3.5" Registered magnum when stationed in Hawaii. It sits in the Patton Museum on display as he carried it through most of WW2. Patton was quite an enthusiast and accomplished marksman. Perhaps your grandfather's decision to acquire a 357 Magnum was influenced by him?

 

[g8rb8]

With such constructive feedback in this forum, all of which I respectfully wish to thank each of you for, I owe the true enthusiasts the 'real story' behind this particular piece. Although this will take a little more research, again I thank you for what should have been painfully obvious and I give you my word that I won't miss the opportunity, that my father has always made available in his humble ways to offer.
I know one thing, I was wrong in that this was my father's first gun, it fact it was his dads. The Sr., passed away a retired full bird colonel, who had served in both our WW. My dad always cared for the firearm since his father's passing in '58 and before handing it to me in the '80's. The actual history will now be compiled, as this has been a bit of a wakeup call to the importance of history…bless you all.

Wogman,
I'll be looking forward to more history and more pictures. I'm curious if this has been in your family since new? If so, and given the brief history you mention along with this being a complete package, then you have a unusually special example of an unusually special revolver.
John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

 

[DWalt]

Many notables of the time bought RMs as status symbols. They sold for a premium price, and sold very well, even during the Great Depression. It was not a revolver that many could afford, and was never intended to be, sort of like comparing a Timex wristwatch to a Rolex.

Patton was definitely a gun guy, and in addition to his RM, he had quite a few handguns he carried at various times during his career.

 

[sw357nm]

That is indeed a wonderful revolver.
Roy Jinks estimates that there were 79 Registered Magnums made with 7.5-inch barrels. The S&W Collector's Association has data on 11 RMs and 2 non-registered pre-War magnums with this barrel length. Only one of those is reported to have a certificate (serial number 47181, registration number 703).
John Hopkins
SWCA L1349