N Frame Pre War Magnas RM Number?

[Milpolice]

I have a set of N Frame Pre War Magnas, with serial number "50015" stamped on the inside. I'm confident they were originally fitted to a Registered Magnum at some point. Is there a way to determine an approximate Registered Magnum number from the gun serial number?

 

[Muley Gil]

If you belonged to the S&W Collector's Association, you could see if that serial number is in the data base.

That is just ONE of the perks of being a member.

 

[murphydog]

It is possible they were on an RM, but also a .38/44 Heavy Duty or Outdoorsman, a .44 HE 2nd or 3rd model...someone here may have the gun (or remembers how to use the database ) and can let you know.

 

[lowhog]

Non-registered Magnums were manufactured 1935-1941.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Non-registered Magnums were manufactured 1935-1941.

I think you mean 1939-41. The RMs were made from 1935-39.

 

[lowhog]

I think you mean 1939-41. The RMs were made from 1935-39.

Nope, They made Non-registered magnums in 1935. They were the rm prototypes and export guns.

 

[Art Doc]

This is how some people drive me crazy. S&W made one or two special orders or prototypes and they want to say this was the norm. The NRMs were made 1939-41. Prototypes don't count. The RMs were only offered in 357 Magnum. That one special order in 22 LR doesn't count. Only regular production items should be counted and only the years they were available to the public should be considered years of production.

 

[lowhog]

As far as the Standard Catalog of S&W The Non-registered magnums were made in 1935 and do count. You are not a expert SP And the guys that wrote the catalog are.

 

[handejector]

As far as the Standard Catalog of S&W The Non-registered magnums were made in 1935 and do count. You are not a expert SP And the guys that wrote the catalog are.

You're adding needless confusion.
Some prototype guns with numbers starting with 0 were made for Doug Wesson and other VIPs without Reg numbers, and 45808 was sent to Springfield for Gov't evaluation. I'm not sure it is known whether 45808 had a Reg number or not.
So, after those first few guns, Reg numbers were assigned from 35 to 39.
Stating the Non-Reg was made from 35 to 41 is simply not correct.

 

[lowriderfxr]

I think that was the Leo Pavelle 5.5" RM that I sold to Ray Cheely. Without opening up old wounds there was another pair of matching grips floating around. They were last known to be in your part of the country.

 

[lowhog]

What I see in the book a few early prototypes or club guns were assembled in 1934-35. Serial numbers 0372 and 0373 and serial number 45808 with no registration number sent to Springfield armory in early 1935. So that being said the Standard Catalog is correct on the 1935-1941 date for non-registered magnums and I don't give a flying rats behind what anyone else says.

 

[lowriderfxr]

Sorry false alarm. My RM was 50055.

 

[Milpolice]

k, thanks for the replies. I think Lowridefxr provided me with some useful information, and maybe there is not a listing out there showing RM numbers/serial number correlation. Maybe we should have further discussions regarding "prototypes". Thanks again everyone and Merry Christmas.

 

[Art Doc]

Lowhog (name corrected, sorry)- you are correct. I am not an expert on guns. I have stated this fact numerous times. However, I am a reasonable person blessed with common sense and as such I maintain that including prototypes when discussing production dates is nonsense. When an item is released for sale is when the production date start. If you start counting design prototypes in production dates it will only cause confusion.

As for getting expert information from books, after several decades in research and higher education I can assure that books can and do include incorrect info and opinions offered as fact. How many corrections has Supica noted to his own book? If he says that NRM production began in 1935 then he needs to issue another.

 

[lowriderfxr]

SaxonPig , those comments were made by lowhog, even if you think it was a low blow, it's more like swine on swine crime.

 

[lowhog]

Many so called registered magnums were not registered. That makes them non-registered correct?

 

[RKmesa]

Many so called registered magnums were not registered. That makes them non-registered correct?

I have tried to stay out of this fray, but I own a significant number of pre-war 357 Magnums and I have invested a significant amount of time reading every article, thread, post, book that I can find on the pre-war Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum. That said - I am NOT an expert.

With that caveat, there has been significant discussion over the years on this forum and other forums as to what qualifies as a "Registered Magnum". There are varying opinions on this topic. BUT I will tell you that when using the term "non-registered magnum", collectors who play in this area almost always are referring to the pre-war 357 Magnums that were produced and shipped AFTER the registration process was discontinued. Therefore, they are almost always referring to 357 Magnums that did not have the REG number AND were shipped in 1939 and 1940.

I will also state that prototype, club guns and "0" SN guns are very rare and are generally referred to as "prototypes" "club guns" and "0 SN guns".

Regardless of the minutia of the definitions - pre-war S&W 357 Magnums are some of the finest firearms to ever roll off the assembly line of any firearm manufacturer and are a delight to own, shoot and discuss - regardless of whether they have a REG number, a certificate confirming the registration or just a plain old serial number.

Happy Hunting and Merry Christmas,

 

[lowriderfxr]

I'll also start this with I have stayed out and should stay out of this discussion but here goes.

I agree with handejector in that there is no need to over complicate things. This hobby shouldn't turn into a legal debate. That takes the fun out of things. I'll let the lawyers who make a living making black and white look grey do that. ( not pointed at my Cajun brother , you know I love you man.)

There is nothing wrong with general information, rules of thumb, etc. That's what helps us when we are at gun shows, face to face sales, etc., to keep us in the right general direction.

I really don't want to get as technical as saying that a model 45 isn't a post office gun because it never went to the USPS , or that's not Coke bottles because it never actually was filled with a beverage.

I know I'm going to a little extreme here but I'm just making a point. Let's go with what we know. It's highly unlikely we will ever encounter the prototype guns or the SA gun. So I'm fine with calling a 35 -39 357 a RM and a 1940 357 a NRM.

If it had a REG number I'm ok with calling it a Registered Magnum because it could be registered , regardless of whether the original owner did so or not. The shovel I bought at Tractor Supply is still a shovel whether or not I've used it to dig yet.

If everybody wants to call Mohammed Ali , Mohammed Ali , I'll call him that, even though I know his momma named him Cassius Clay.

 

[lowhog]

Call it what you like. The company called it the S&W .357 Magnum Period. Who came up with the registered and non-registered names. Some Joe Blow on the street?

 

[Art Doc]

In my non-expert opinion if the gun has a registration number stamped on it then it is Re Mag. I also think the 50 UHP guns should be counted among the factory inscribed RMs but Mr. Jinks does not for reasons that elude me.