REG. #2590, Shipped 82 Years Ago

[Doc44]

Shipped on July 23, 1937 to Daniel Rakowski, Chicgao, IL. 8 3/4 inch barrel, McGivern front sight, deep U-notch rear, and Magna stocks. Sighted in at 200 yards with Magnum ammunition. This Magnum has a slight turn line, but otherwise is as shipped from the S&W factory over 82 years ago. The full box of.357 Magnum ammunition dates to the time the Magnum was shipped. Click on the photo for a better look.

The reproduction certificate shown in the second photo was offered a few years ago by the S&W Historical Foundation. The certificate is a copy of an original blank certificate, filled out by Jean Jinks, and signed by Roy Jinks. These certificates are a great item to display with the Magnum.

I have owned five Registered Magnums, but this is only one I kept. I acquired it about twelve years ago from Ray Brazille. I told Ray if he ever found a mint RM with an 8 3/4 inch barrel to let me know. Obviously, he did.

Bill

 

[RKmesa]

Bill:

That's a real beauty.

Thanks for posting,

 

[Old_Cop]

Beautiful revolver, display and photograph.

 

[rubiranch]

Beautiful. Thank you soo much.

 

[lestert357]

Bill, in your photo you left out the box, certificate, mailing tube (or registration certificate order card if it wasn't mailed in), brochure, SAT, cleaning tools, Helpful Hints brochure, Caution sheet, green material and workmanship guarantee, and extra rear sight blade in the small envelope. An RM in that condition must be accompanied with those items!!!

Seriously though, any history on Mr. Rakowski?

 

[BAM-BAM]

Sweet....................

Saw this thread and realized that mine....#4629 shipped April 25th 1939..... 80 years ago..............

Dad would have been 103 this July ... he bought his 6" Colt New Service in .357 in 1939...........................as his primary service revolver..... while riding an Indian Motorcycle in the suburbs of the Burgh!

 

[BRatliff]

Mr. Cross, thank you so much for sharing this outstanding example of the "Holy Grail" of Smith & Wesson collectibles. While every item I have seen from your collection is above reproach your photography skills take them to an entirely different level.

Mr. Rakowski must have been either a very accomplished shooter or a very hopeful one. I doubt I could hit an elephant at two hundred yards!

Best regards, Bob.

 

[Doc44]

Terry...no history on Mr. Rakowski. Based on the lack of use, I don't think he shot over a very few rounds from this Magnum.

Bill

 

[delcrossv]

Sighted in at 200 yards?!? Wow. Must have had very good eyesight, or great optimism.

 

[jpmccr]

Nice piece

I inherited my Dad's guns several years ago and one of the pistols was a .357 Magnum similar to yours. The only difference I see is my front sight has the red part and mine has a 5" barrel. I took the original grips off to protect them and put Pachmyrs on it. It is a great shooter. I've only put a few rounds through it but it handles really nice...

 

[Pee Wee]

That's a nice piece. Mine is a 1975 83/8 safe queen that I found. The man I bought it from was 85 years old and bought the gun new shot it once and put in safe. I shoot it every tues in international lawnsteel shooters association competition. It is my favorite pistol. I went through it and did a balance and blueprint and installed a Wilson combat spring kit. Trigger in single action is 2lb.5 oz. and the action is smooth as silk.

 

[GWW]

Thank you sir for sharing the photos of this treasure. 85 years old, wow!

Can't help but think back 48 years to a saying my machine shop teacher use to use when one of use turned out nice work,

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever"

I think that describes this piece well.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Wow!

I wonder why he didn't shoot it very much?

 

[Jdavis]

Without doubt, this RM is one of the nicest that I have seen. You are most fortunate to be the keeper of this most desirable Smith and Wesson.

 

[RKmesa]

...I wonder why he didn't shoot it very much?

Probably not many ranges near him with a 200 yard target...

 

[Kimberpross]

Nice handgun! Thanks for sharing!

 

[max]

Bill, a beautiful gun. I found some Daniel Rakowskis in the Chicago area. One of these might be a descendant.

 

[LAH]

Be still my heart.

 

[model3sw]

Outstanding, Bill. Ray Brazille was quite a guy. He did this all in the pre-internet days. He likely knew who owned what guns, personally, from his years of dealing.

Member Tom Blair (RIP) who coached me on reloading years back, stated the original .357 Magnum cartridge case (brass) was different from the more modern cases. One difference being it had a larger primer pocket ... and ... I forget what else.

What other differences are there, if I am recalling correctly?

I went to visit Tom a few years before he passed. In one of the horse stalls in his barn, he had crates of the older .357 brass he had been coveting for the prior 50 years. He offered me some, then I forgot the canvas shot bag he filled up for me when I departed.

In each of the several horse stalls (that had not been used for horses in decades) were different caliber brass in crates and boxes. One stall for each caliber he loaded.

 

[model3sw]

Sighted at 100 yards, dead center hold, magnum ammo

Bill, for comparison SN / Reg # / Ship dates ...

The S&W Letter on my 8+3/4" indicates it shipped not too far away from yours.
This came from Ray Brazille, too.

Start copy:

"We have researched your Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum, Pre-World War II Registered Magnum,
caliber .357 Magnum, revolver in company records which indicate that your handgun ,serial number
51068 with the Reg. No. 2034 was shipped from our factory on March 4, 1937, and delivered to
Northern Commercial Co., Anchorage, AK.

The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with an 8.75 inch barrel equipped with a King
ramp Reflector 5/64 inch red bead front sight ; King # 111 rear sight, blue finish , and checkered
walnut Magna grips. This revolver was sighted in at 100 yard with .357 Magnum ammunition
using a dead center hold." (end copy)

Sal Raimondi