KCRM

[lhocking]

First off, a big thank you to the forum for helping me understand what a great gun I bought 30 years ago.

I believe that the markings are too sharp to have ever been refinished but the gun was re-barreled. That being the case, how is it that the barrel has the correct serial number? If the factory had done the re-barrel job would that have been noted in the factory letter? The historical society has no records for this gun.
Thanks for your help. If someone could explain why it turns all my pictures upside down that would be a big help as well.

 

[S&W ucla]

It was likely shortened and not rebarreled if it has original SN. Are there any numbers (like 6 45) on the side of the grip frame? Star next to SN on butt? KCPD did have their own gunsmithing department. Nice Gun and Welcome to the Forum!!

 

[lestert357]

First off, a big thank you to the forum for helping me understand what a great gun I bought 30 years ago.



I believe that the markings are too sharp to have ever been refinished but the gun was re-barreled. That being the case, how is it that the barrel has the correct serial number? If the factory had done the re-barrel job would that have been noted in the factory letter? The historical society has no records for this gun.

Thanks for your help. If someone could explain why it turns all my pictures upside down that would be a big help as well.

Welcome to the Forum and thank you for posting such an interesting KCPD RM! I have taken the liberty to post your pictures right side up below. Your RM was 1 of 6 RM's shipped to the KCPD on December 17, 1936. Five of them were originally shipped with 5" barrels (as yours was) and one was originally shipped with a 6" barrel. Mr. Jinks, the S&W Historian, speculates that this early 1936 KCPD order may have led to the later very large orders from the KCPD in 1939 and 1940.

As stated in post #2 above there is the possibility that the original 5" barrel of your RM was shortened at the factory; checking for the rework date and star as mentioned above would be a good indicator of that. Also the original McGivern gold bead front sight appears as though it has now been replaced with a King Red Bead on a King Ramp Reflector base. It is possible this work was also done at the factory.

Factory rework information is seldom if ever listed on a factory historical letter. You stated above that the "historical society" has no records for your gun; are you referring to the S&W Historical Foundation? If so that is surprising because Mr. Jinks specifically stated in your factory letter that "There are records of the original order and other documentation available on this revolver from S&WHF". Did you speak with or make contact with Bill Cross (Doc44) at the Historical Foundation? If not, I recommend you do.

By now you probably realize that the grips on your RM are from a much later period than when the gun was originally shipped from the factory. Your RM certainly appears worthy of a nice set of Pre-War Magna grips as listed in your factory letter.