Rare 357 Magnum Transition Model

[sw357nm]

I thought that some might be interested in a photo of a 357 Magnum Transition Model, s/n S71642, Blue finish, 6-inch barrel, humpback hammer, magna stocks, 97-98% original finish remaining. Produced on or about November 1946.
This is one of about nine Transition Model 357's known to exist.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Very interesting. Fine looking too.

Tom

 

[The Gila Bender]

Only nine? OK, I want one.

I'm curious if this was due to a lack of demand for the .357, or if S&W made them only as special orders in the transition period before the short actions appeared in 1950.

 

[bgrafsr]

Very nice. That hump back hammer looks great on it.

 

[MSgt G]

What makes it a "transition" model and why only about nine? Looks great by the way!

 

[jeremyws1]

Beautiful! Where was it shipped?

 

[RKmesa]

I love it!

SW357NM:

I would like to see a photo or two of the other side if you have one/some. All of the transitional 357s that I have seen (one in person and another in photos) are significantly more worn than your beauty.

Thanks for sharing,

 

[Art Doc]

I wondered who owned the other one...

 

[murphydog]

What makes it a "transition" model and why only about nine? Looks great by the way!

It is essentially a pre-war .357 Magnum with the micrometer rear sight, before the postwar version came out in 1950. Very few were made (reportedly about 140) and fewer are known to still exist.

 

[gunnut44]

VERY NICE! Thanks for sharing. I am sure you are proud to own that one.

 

[model70hunter]

That is very nice. Nov 1946 would be my ultimate grail BD gun.

 

[DCWilson]

Very impressive. I knew that I rarely saw pictures of .357s manufactured in the 1940s, but I did not know there were so few.

Beautiful gun.

 

[whitecoyote]

This is one of about nine Transition Model 357's known to exist.

Wow, very nice!
Makes you wonder where the other eight are?
Thanks for sharing.

 

[GF]

SW357NM:

I would like to see a photo or two of the other side if you have one/some. All of the transitional 357s that I have seen (one in person and another in photos) are significantly more worn than your beauty.

Thanks for sharing,

Yes we NEED more pics! This is the kind of thread that we used to get of members "rare birds".

I always love to see the advanced collectors share knowledge and pictures.

And thank you sw357nm for your post.

GF

 

[crofoot629]

That is really cool.

Thanks for posting!
And any back story would be greatly appreciated.

Emory

 

[sw357nm]

Here is a photo of the left side. It is in about the same condition as the right; 97 to 98% original finish. Approximately 142 of these Transition Magnums were produced Post War through 1949, but collectors have only been able to account for around ten. I believe that the reason for so few of these magnums is that the factory was trying to catch up with orders for the M&P revolvers to supply police requirements that were not met during the War. The Magnum was more complex and expensive to make, and most police departments wanted a less expensive revolver. Hence most of the S&W factory effort was on the bread-and-butter M&P model.
John

 

[boykinlp]

Very nice. That hump back hammer looks great on it.

Couldn't have said it better myself. That is one of those " I'd be proud to own it pieces".

 

[GF]

Is the "humpback" hammer, from an earlier period, what makes this gun "transitional"?

GF

 

[RKmesa]

Is the "humpback" hammer, from an earlier period, what makes this gun "transitional"?

GF

A few of the Transitional items are:

1. Pre-war "long action" hammer (humpback or standard) with the concentric grooves on the sides of the hammer WITH the cut out in the front for the post war safety.

2. Large ejector rod nob and corresponding cutout in the ejector rod shroud.

3. Pre-war frame (a bit longer in the grip portion of the frame) with exposed pins on the left side - on later models the pins were machined flush with the side of the frame.

4. Usually a one line "Made in USA" on the right side of the frame. Note: One of the transitional 357's that I have seen had the 4-line Marcas Registradas on the right side.

5. Pre-war barrel with the rib cut flush with the end of the barrel (as opposed to the slightly recessed rib on the pre-war mags).

6. Post war micrometer rear sight.

7. Fitted with post-war magna stocks cut for the larger pre-war grip frame.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Good post, very informative.

Thanks,

Tom