Interesting pre-WWII Magnum sale on GB

[PeteC]

I was not the seller or bidder/buyer. Just curious what it is. Seems to fall between a Registered and Non-Registered Magnum, or maybe after. Those are not really in my wheelhouse. and don't show up in display cases where I usually shop in Flyover country...

S/N from before WWII, with a later factory barrel replacement, and most likely a refinish in 1967. I exchanged a couple messages with the seller, according to him, the s/n is from 1940~41, assuming numbered with .44 Hand Ejectors. The seller decided to describe it as a pre-27 357 Magnum 6.5".

Just a moment...

I noticed a hammer with a patent stamp, single line "Made in USA" on the right side, 1930's style rear sight blade with the tiny lock screw, and a serial number on the cylinder, yoke, and according to the seller on the back of the ejector star.

The ejector rod looked like later manufacture, consistent with the later barrel which had a modern ampersand. A "*B" was stamped faintly inside the barrel shroud, and a '67 date was stamped on the left heel of the butt frame. The grips look about right for the refinish year or later.

I asked my local S&W go-to helper, and according to him Registered Magnums ended before 1940~41. On the other hand, as well as this forum, since it is a S&W, "anything is possible" and the gun could have been assembled from leftover parts anytime.

So - what is it, and what should it be called??

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Looks like a non-registered magnum that went back to the factory for a barrel replacement in 1967. Too bad it doesn't have the pre-war grips.

 

[Modified]

Looks like a "The .357 Magnum" that had a barrel issue which was corrected post war. The date looks a bit odd though, not sure what to make of that, others know more about that era and may be able to give a definitive answer.

Looks like it would be a fun shooter, the price was pretty ok for a very fine gun I think.

 

[PeteC]

Looks like a non-registered magnum that went back to the factory for a barrel replacement in 1967. Too bad it doesn't have the pre-war grips.

Yeah, and these are not fitted too well to the frame as one can see in the upper right corner of the second pic. edit: on the other hand it would sell for a lot more with the "right grips",

 

[kscharlie]

I was watching that one, but chose not to pursue it. It is a Non-Registered Magnum ca. 1941. Based on the date stamp on the grip frame, it went back to S&W in 1967, most likely for the barrel swap. The barrel on it does not have a serial number, only a B and a star, the star indicating a replacement barrel the B indicating a Blued finish. It is a post-war barrel, probably a 27-2 and the ejector rod had to be replaced in order to properly fit the barrel lug/shroud.

The original barrel on this gun was 3 1/2", as the barrel only with the original serial number is recorded in the .357 Magnum data base on the SWCA website.

Still, an interesting gun...

 

[PeteC]

The original barrel on this gun was 3 1/2", as the barrel only with the original serial number is recorded in the .357 Magnum data base on the SWCA website...

You mean the barrel is recorded, but not the gun?

 

[lestert357]

The original barrel on this gun was 3 1/2", as the barrel only with the original serial number is recorded in the .357 Magnum data base on the SWCA website.

I have corrected that situation. The SWCA database now reflects everything we know about this gun based on both the separately extant original 3-1/2" barrel, and the GB listing referenced in this thread.

 

[chief38]

Looks like a mish-mosh of a gun that has been repaired, refinished and had wrong parts installed. I hope who ever buys it doesn't go for their lungs!