N Frame 357 Magnum, pre-war?

[TeamPB]

Its Scheel's sale week. I bought a Colt 1911 .38 Super 3 days ago. It was marked msrp, I had my $50 off coupon and a lot of gift cards and I wanted a second .38 Super Government Model, so I was happy.

Today I am even happier. I went to pick my commodity colt up and added this: Serial #61664. Didn't have to wait 3 days.

Help! 1941-42? I might have to request a letter.

 

[Muley Gil]

Congrats!

Does it have a REG number stamped on the frame behind the yoke?

 

[TeamPB]

Congrats!

Does it have a REG number stamped on the frame behind the yoke?

Yes-ish, per the small paragraph in the 4th Edition, it has the # on the frame, but no REG. 1939-ish? 44511

 

[Muley Gil]

That is an assembly number. There should be a matching number stamped on the yoke.

Without the REG and a number, you have a non-Registered Magnum. Late '30s-early '40s sounds right. You really, really should get a historical letter on this one.

 

[sodacan]

No need to over-complicate this. What is the serial number stamped on the butt?

 

[TeamPB]

No need to over-complicate this. What is the serial number stamped on the butt?

Serial # 61664

 

[DARE]

Looking at the Pre-War .357 Magnum Database, numbers close to yours shipped in 1940. 61658 shipped 8/05/1940. 61674 shipped 5/28/1940.

 

[TeamPB]

Looking at the Pre-War .357 Magnum Database, numbers close to yours shipped in 1940. 61658 shipped 8/05/1940. 61674 shipped 5/28/1940.

Thank You,
Bob

 

[dobegrant]

Congratulations on a great find

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Is the caliber stamped on the barrel, .357 Magnum?

 

[SVT28]

Carefully remove the grips, is the right panel numbered the same as the serial on the butt? If so I say that the finish is too nice compared to the grips. Totally fine though, if it was a refinish it looks nice. How much did this set you back, some of us are probably curious. In any case, great find. I'm jealous

SVT28

 

[TeamPB]

Is the caliber stamped on the barrel, .357 Magnum?

Yes. I need 10 characters.

 

[TeamPB]

Carefully remove the grips, is the right panel numbered the same as the serial on the butt? If so I say that the finish is too nice compared to the grips. Totally fine though, if it was a refinish it looks nice. How much did this set you back, some of us are probably curious. In any case, great find. I'm jealous

SVT28

The stocks are numbered to the frame.

$1450

 

[RKmesa]

The stocks are numbered to the frame.

$1450

Congrats!!! Looks like a beauty.

Thanks for sharing,

 

[Alk8944]

VERY NICE Pre-War .357 Magnum! I blew your photos up as large as possible on my computer and I can see absolutely no hint of any of the typical changes seen if a gun has been re-finished. Even matching stocks, that is virtually unbelievable! I think you got it for a very good price even if it is an Un-registered Magnum.

 

[murphydog]

I see Scheel's had their "2/3 off discount sale".

Here is a link to the letter processes. The first (letter of authenticity) will give the original configuration, ship date, destination, and (if to an individual) a name or the dealer's name.

Once you have the first letter, the "deep dive" almost always brings up interesting information on the prewar .357s. There is no charge if nothing is found.

Letters – Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation

Definitely in contention for "greatest S & W find of 2024", congratulations!

 

[Retired W4]

$1450?? color me green...with envy.

 

[mchom]

Congratulations !

OP you made a fantastic score. Definitely get the letter. Most of my NRMs shipped to an LE or Municipality. Adds to cool factor if your into that.

$1450 is unbelievable low price for any pre war magnum. Definitely you got the deal of the year imo

 

[lestert357]

Very nice NRM and I have added it to the S&WCA database. Is there a factory rework date on the left side grip strap under the grip?

 

[TeamPB]

Very nice NRM and I have added it to the S&WCA database. Is there a factory rework date on the left side grip strap under the grip?

Thanks for all the incredibly useful information everyone. I filled out the historical research request and will mail it today.

Here are some under the stocks frame pictures:

 

[handejector]

I need a better pic of the left gripframe.
It was Factory reblued on what appears to be 5-31-67.
Great score!

 

[Photog]

That is a beauty!!!!

 

[TeamPB]

Does a PSA violate the rules?

The same Scheels (Johnstown), same high-end display case: a pre-Model 20, very, very good condition, $729.00.

Apologies if this is a rule violation, Bob

 

[Retired W4]

I'm looking for guns in all the wrong places.

 

[quinn]

That is one super nice acquistion at a $0.30 on the dollar price! You might contact Curtis (44magget) on this forum to see about restoration of the grips to match the gun's condition. Curtis is an artist. and has made several of my pre war magnum grips into amazing conditon.

 

[Flygas]

That is one super nice acquistion at a $0.30 on the dollar price! You might contact Curtis (44magget) on this forum to see about restoration of the grips to match the gun's condition. Curtis is an artist. and has made several of my pre war magnum grips into amazing conditon.

Unfortunately, Curtis is not accepting any new work.

Randy, great to meet you and your son this weekend!

Shane

 

[Hair Trigger]

VERY NICE Pre-War .357 Magnum! I think you got it for a very good price even if it is an Un-registered Magnum.

SCSW says the Non-Registered Magnums are more rare than the RM's and bring higher prices. I don't know how much a 58-year old factory refinish decreases a Non-RM's value, but I think somebody left a "1" off the front of the price.

 

[TeamPB]

Dropped the letter request in the mail today. Refinished or not it is an extremely neat and beautiful S&W.

We don't pop champagne in our house, but Mrs. TeamPB says I don't have to cook dinner tonight!

 

[rct269]

#61664 is a "Non Registered Magnum" according to Jinks' 1989 treatise on the pre-war Magnums---inclusive within a group of NRM's numbered from 61599 to 61712---and 1 of 1418 produced.

The numbers run from 45808 to 62485 (not counting 59624, which is RM 5001).

So sayeth THE MAN!

Ralph Tremaine

As to the reduction in value arising from a factory refinish, 15-20% is the conventional wisdom-----as opposed to 50% if otherwise---especially if Bubba did it!

And a few more words on factory refinishing: It's performed by the same technicians using the same equipment as for the original finish. It's routine to strip the original finish (rather than polish it off). It is not uncommon to find NO polishing (other than a light buffing) is required after stripping (excepting in cases of damage) before applying the new finish. The factory refinishes I've seen are indistinguishable from the original, were it not for the factory service/refinishing marks applied to most of them. It's worthwhile passing along the FACT the factory will omit such marks when they are asked to do so. I say they will omit, they have done so in the past.

 

[TeamPB]

I have to admit getting a letter is pretty cool.

The letter arrived today and for me there were some neat pieces of information contained in it. A June 20, 1940 drop ship date to the Town of Powell, WY. via the distributor W.S. Darley & Company, Chicago Il.

I was born in and spent my first two decades in the Chicago area. Darley & Company is still in business as a distributer of products for first responders.

The year before this revolver shipped, Powell lawmen had a murderous crime spree on their hands, losing two lawmen before eliminating the murderer. Not to read to much into it, but it is easy for me to infer that this gun was intended for a local lawman.

My Honey has considered moving us to the Cody/Powell area. She always checks out online property listings, but we'll see about that in the next couple of years.

I consider myself very fortunate to have this piece in my collection.