Information Sought re: My Daddy's .357 Magnum (6 pics)

[G-Mac]

You might try taking that thumb piece off the gun and gently scrub it with a "tooth brush" (the soft brass bristle type) and some gun oil. I wouldn't bother getting it re-blued. It's original and gives the gun a little "character".

 

[Farmer17]

I would guess the gun retailed for about 50 bucks when your dad bought it and today it would be worth over a thousand. I would like to compliment you on your photos and invite you to post pics of the other guns even if they aren't
Smiths. Many of the members here love good pics of old guns.

 

[smith17]

Here's an ad from an early 1956 distributor which includes that particular revolver.
Ed

 

[j38]

You're a lucky man - for more than one reason. Thanks for posting - and enjoy that gun.

Jerry

 

[semperfi71]

What'll you take for the T-Shirt?

Great story, gun, and Dad. You are fortunate.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Scotter260]

Awesome revolver and an even better story to go with it.

You really can work some magic with a camera also.

Congratulations,
Scott

 

[JamesD]

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"Thanks all" is OK, but I'm sorta old fashioned so...

Al, thanks again for the first post I got.

And again to you Jeremy.

Thanks for both posts pbslinger. Good information and good advice all 'round, especially "color case hardening" which I hadn't known of. I just went and read about it. Very cool, sort of like raku pottery!

Likewise John. (p.s. $100 for a screwdriver is a LOT. But I'm not temped; stays with the gun SMILE)

Thanks Fred. I'm "getting" so much from this forum, I'm happy the pics and story were enjoyed.

Iggy – your order WILL be obeyed!

Good advice tbury.

Walnutred – yes he did.

Thanks for your words M29.

Roger that, AksRule.

Thanks yugolovr.

Antiques Roadshow! For me that's about what it was like Photoman. Thanks.

I'm with ya now 520Fan. It may be headed for a Bore-Store.

Hey photohause, I can't find my New Member post anymore. Are you saying that was you?

Thanks G-Mac, and I agree – perfect is OK, but "history" and "character" are fine also!

Farmer, thanks for the photo compliment. I would love to post others as I work through these guns. A couple of Smiths. Where should non-Smiths go? This same area OK?

Great old ad Ed! Thanks! (hope you don't mind if I harvest it, print it, and keep it with the gun!

)

'preciate it, j38.

T-shirt not for sale, semperfi

Thanks for your kind words Scott; it's something I enjoy doing.

James

 

[SEG]

I really injoyed the post and Pic's. I guess alot can be said for RIGS. Talk about standing the test of time.

 

[TNDave]

That is a super gun in every way! I wouldn't do anything to that little spot on the cylinder release. If you wipe a some RIG on there it won't get any worse.
You are very lucky to have such a nice heirloom with good memories attached to it.

 

[tbury]

My comment on not shooting the ammo was not aimed at the gun. Shoot it, enjoy it, take care of it and your grandsons will still have it to enjoy. That gun is as strong today as it was when new. For storage I use Bore Store gun rugs after a good treatment with a cleaner, lubricator, protectant product. Cotton type shirts actually draw and hold moisture, your wifebeater probably had enough oil in the fabric that it did not cause a problem but the gun deserves a better cover.

 

[RKmesa]

Congrats on coming into a wonderful gun. I too am sorry to hear about your father - but you have a piece of his history to linger with you.

Can you do me a favor and take a photo of the back strap - I'm trying to determine when they went from a 6 groove back strap to a 10 groove BS.

BTW - I have K260035 - not in near as nice of condition and no box or screwdriver, but the old CMs are really nice and a great start on a CM collection!

 

[Doc44]

RK...Can't give you exact information, but Combat Magnum K261345 (June 1956) has six grooves and K264305 (August 1957) has ten grooves. All we need to do is fill is a few more data points and we should have the information you want. Also, the change would have been made for the K-frame line of revolvers, so the Combat Magnum may not have been the first model to have ten grooves.

The change took place on the N-frame at approximately S166800 (a 1955 Target 45).

Bill

 

[RKmesa]

Bill:

One more data point - CM K262252 also has 10 grooves...

 

[Doc44]

RK...that gets us pretty close (at least within 900 serial numbers or so). This should date the change to late 56 or early 57 (about the same timeframe as the N-frame change).

Bill

 

[mod29]

JamesD;
Congrats on one outstanding revolver!

You should note that Doc44 has posted on your thread. Hang around here long enough and you will appreciate what that means.

Jim

 

[jspick]

That is one nice gun. A real keeper.
John

 

[Doc44]

The Combat Magnum has always been one of my favorite models and yours is a near pristine example that has a family history. Guns like that are some of the rarest.

Bill

 

[JamesD]

Hi Everyone.


RK, nothing would please me more than to take a picture of the backstrap for you, but I think subsequent posts have rendered such a picture unnecessary. Yes? My 260994 backstrap is indeed a 6 groover. Of course, if you wanted a picture of the backstrap for any other reason (or any other part) please let me know.
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I do have a comment and question re: the post from Allen-frame. He said:

"Remove the stocks (grips) carefully ,,and the actual ser.# will be on the bottom of the grip frame."

And of course it is.

But also, the SN is micro inscribed on the concave wall of the recessed place where the "center pin" (? Is that the name of the rod you push to eject the cartridges?) goes when you swing the cylinder into place. Is that only on the older ones? Or is that universal, and Al just didn't mention this other place where you can find the SN? Just wondering.
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And one question I didn't ask earlier:
The number on the yoke (yoke?): KO 302 84
What exactly is this #, and what/any information in particular is conveyed here?
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Jim (mod29),

I don't have experience on this forum to truly appreciate exactly what you're saying, but I've been on this earth long enough to certainly understand what you're getting at. Thanks for pointing this out to me.
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Thanks for your comment about my gun, Doc.
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What a forum.

James

 

[tonysoprano150]

Very nice!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[H P Bushrod]

Thanks for sharing all the pics of this historic firearm and the other items that were with it. I have one of those armor piercing W-W rounds. I can't remember where I got it from.