Price Check: Pre-War 357 Magnum

[Dosgatos]

Found a non-registered Pre-War 357 Magnum today with a 4" barrel which does not appear to be cut, humpback hammer, numbered grips, and King sights. The asking price is $4,000 - too much?

Addition: No pictures available, but I should mention that the finish is about 90%.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hey man, are you pulling some legs here with a post like that with no info or pics.? getta out of here! Yes. $4000 is way to much.

 

[usm1rifle]

No, probably not BUT we need pictures.

 

[H Richard]

Non Registered Magnums are far more scarce than Registered Magnums, but do not have the value of the Registered Magnums. But usually bring half again what a post war Pre 27 will bring. Different markets will support different prices.

 

[rgm36]

If it is a 98% gun then NO it is not too much, since Registered Magnums are now selling for twice that.

 

[younggun22]

Even refinished I would say it’s pretty close, maybe even a little light, if the rest is legit.

 

[bruce5781]

If original finish & barrel length, I would jump on it.

Sent from my SM-G930VL using Tapatalk

 

[clang444]

A lot of the non-Reg Mags were refinished. An old factory refinish is the lowest hit on value. Make sure you know what you are looking at.

 

[rct269]

And I should mention that prevailing wisdom pegs collector grade guns at 95% and up (and everybody who believes and lives by the "and up" portion of that definition considers collector grade is 97%-----and up). Given an acceptance of that standard, a 90% gun is----pretty scruffy.

Collector grade guns appreciate.

Scruffy guns depreciate.

Pick one.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[MRH]

For that, I would appreciate the sellers contact info if you don’t want it.

 

[lonegunman762x51]

Pictures are a must, it sounds very KCPD in description. Depends on condition, I'd try and get it slightly cheaper.

 

[lestert357]

Pictures are a must, it sounds very KCPD in description.

That was my first thought also, although most of the KCPD NRM’s in the 1/30/1940 and 7/3/1940 shipments were shipped with standard hammers. The KCPD RM’s in the 9/7/1939 shipment were shipped with humpback hammers.

If it is a correctly configured KCPD gun with a Baughman Quick Draw front sight on a King Ramp base, 90% original finish (very unusual for a KCPD gun), and matching grips (even more unusual), I would jump on it at $4K.

 

[22hipower]

Depends on the +/- of the 90% estimate and how badly you want it. As others have noted, pictures would help folks value it. I bought this 6.5 inch recently, very recently (at the SWCA symposium), for about the same price. It's better than 90% (in my opinion) but not the 97% that Mr. Tremaine recommends; closer to "scruffy" than "highly collectible" but it was close enough for me. King sights, humpback hammer, stocks that don't number to the gun, and a definitely scruffy box. I was happy to get it (thank you Sarah15). When will you see another? Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[22/32 JDF]

JEFF That is a nice looking gun. Nice find glad you got it. JIM

 

[paplinker]

Were the late non Reg Mags shipped with grooved hammers? If so I would pay a bit more for a grooved HBH gun.

 

[22hipower]

Were the late non Reg Mags shipped with grooved hammers? If so I would pay a bit more for a grooved HBH gun.

Can't speak for all of them but the one pictured above is grooved. Not sure what the last SN was but this one is probably well towards the end of production (sn 60148).

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[lestert357]

Were the late non Reg Mags shipped with grooved hammers? If so I would pay a bit more for a grooved HBH gun.

Yes they were. Even the post war Transitional .357 Magnums (prior to the Model of 1950) were shipped with grooved hammers. Pictured below is NRM serial # 60779. You can click on the picture for a closer look at the hammer.