Love Affair - The 8.375 (8 3/8) inch 357 Magnum

[RKmesa]

When I first stated collecting N Frame 357's I thought that anything with barrels longer than 4" were front heavy, awkward, and just too dang long. ...then I purchased an 8.75" Reg Mag and the lights went on - these long tube 357's are BEAUTIFUL (and they shoot like a dream)!!! Since they only made the 8.75" barreled guns pre-war, I decided to try and collect every engineering change or model designation that was pinned and recessed with 8.375" (8 3/8") barrels. For the period of about one month last year, I thought that I might be able to accomplish my goal, but a certain mint in the box 8.375" Transitional 357 blew past my max bid and sold for somewhere near $30K!!

So, until a certain member here wants to gift me the Julian Hatcher Transitional, I'm stuck with an "almost" collection of 8.375" P&R 357s...

I finally took photos of a sample of my 8.375" guns, so here is the 8.375" photo thread that I have been meaning to post for a long time.

Pre-war 8.375" Registered Magnum (estimated 38 of them made). Ship date: May 1937






Pre-war Non Registered Magnum with a Humpback Hammer (I know of very few Non RM's in 8.375"). Ship date: February 1940






Transitional 357 Although Chad did not gift me The Gun , he did give me permission (see post 11 below) to post his photos of it here. Ship date: June 1948

Post-war 357 Magnum ("Pre-27"). Ship date: Nov. 1954






Model Marked 27 (no dash) with a set of early Keith Brown Thumb Rest Ropers. Ship date: November 1960






27-1 with a set of Cokes restored by Keith Brown. Ship date: March 1962






27-2 with a set of Kurac Smooth GA Targets. Estimated Ship date: 1976





I love all of the long 357's and would love to see photos of yours...

Thanks for letting me share,

 

[2hawk]

As usual Richard, just a beautiful set of fine, classic S&Ws. And great photography, too! Thank you for sharing some of your fine collection with us, again!

 

[sbacpa]

"I thought that I might be able to accomplish my goal, but a certain mint in the box 8.375" Transitional 357 blew past my max bid and sold for somewhere near $30K"

You see Richard, if you would sell one or two of those 'less desirable' 3 1/2 inch Pre 27 engraved pintos, you would be in a much better frame of mind to go after that dream gun

 

[Art Doc]

I agree the long 27s are good shooters. The tapered barrel isn't nearly as muzzle heavy as are the 29s and 57s with their heavy barrel contours.

I only have one. A pedestrian 27-2 from the late 1970s in nickel. But it is the most complete S&W package I own. Even came with the cardboard sleeve for the case. No plain shipping box for the revolver, though.

 

[Stirling]

I too prefer them shorter but I'm open to change. Those look very good indeed.

 

[old&slow]

Nice ! Thanks for sharing..

 

[lowriderfxr]

I agree the long 27s are good shooters. The tapered barrel isn't nearly as muzzle heavy as are the 29s and 57s with their heavy barrel contours.

I only have one. A pedestrian 27-2 from the late 1970s in nickel. But it is the most complete S&W package I own. Even came with the cardboard sleeve for the case. No plain shipping box for the revolver, though.

SP,
Is the sleeve slightly larger than the presentation case? Was there a yellow plastic band to pull up the liner and get to the paperwork? If so there never was a plain box for the revolver.

If the outer cardboard box was larger, it contained the revolver in a plain blue box, the presentation case sealed in plastic film, and a cardboard spacer to keep things in place.

Your package may be complete!

 

[sodacan]

I can appreciate your affinity for the long tubes, but I am not a fan. That being said, I certainly wouldn't turn down a Registered Magnum or 27-1 in any length. Good luck in your search to complete your collection.

 

[bracebeemer]

I am a big fan of the long barrels also. I think the one word
that best describes the long tubes is elegant. That doesn't mean that I don't like the shorter barrel lengths,I do,and I have plenty of them,but I just think in S&W's premium revolver that the long barrel looks just right!
Bill
The first picture is a factory class A engraved 357 from 1953.The second picture is a Registered Magnum from 1938. The next picture is a factory 2 -tone from 1955 followed by a 357 from 1954 and finally a nickel 357 Magnum from 1954.

 

[M29since14]

Those are beautiful! Thanks as always for sharing your excellent photos. Maybe some day the Hatcher gun will come to your extraordinary .357 collection.

 

[gripper]

Richard, You have a wonderful collection of 8 3/8 inch guns. I will agree with you that it's not quite complete without a Transitional model. Please feel free to add this picture in with your original post.

Chad Gripp

 

[JSW]

Great collection of long tube Magnums!

 

[Leatherhead23]

Oh my....these are incredible!


Thanks for sharing, everyone!

 

[Göring's S&W]

WOW on the Hatcher gun! Wow on all of them actually!!! I don't have one to share

 

[bengal fan]

This is my only long tube S&W, but I'm proud to own it!
It's a 8.75" Non Registered Magnum. I'm looking forward to shooting it when the weather warms up a bit

 

[Art Doc]

The case perfectly fits in the box and there is a yellow lift strap. I always thought the guns came separately. Live and learn. Thanks.

 

[RKmesa]

I am a big fan of the long barrels also. I think the one word that best describes the long tubes is elegant... I just think in S&W's premium revolver that the long barrel looks just right!
Bill

Well said. Thanks for sharing the photos of your wonderful collection...

 

[RKmesa]

Chad's Hatcher Transitional is one of my favorites. I found the link to the auction page for the "other one" that had my hopes up in late 2014 (Auction Item). Notice the auction estimate $4,000/$6,000 (I wish...).


...and a thread that discussed the auction here: Post War Pre-Model 27 357 Magnum - Sold for $26K: + commission

If anyone has seen another 8.375" Transitional 357, I would love to see some additional photos.

Thanks,

 

[CptCurl]

My 27-2 shipped March 1975. It has a nice set of book end cut presentation stocks:

Curl

 

[hkcavalier]

Fantastic. I had the chance about 3 years ago to buy a pretty beat up but still serviceable pre-27 "long tube" for $550. Still kicking myself, though that itch led me to buy a 686+ and find this forum.