on 04/10/39. This gun was recently listed on GI by Guns.com. There were no pictures of the butt or left side grip strap so I could not check for a factory refinish. There were no pictures of the grip serial number so I didn't know if they were matching. The detail and focus in the pictures was such that I could not make a determination as to the finish originality. The description was basically a couple of sentences about the history of Registered Magnums and the condition was listed as "good". I called Guns.com to see if I could get more information on the condition of the gun but gave up after listening to music for 15 minutes. An email to Guns.com via the GI Website basically got me a marketing pitch reply. I continued studying the pictures as best I could; I could see some flaws in the finish but thought the color of the gun looked good and the grips looked almost new. On the picture in the listing showing the right side I thought I could see inscribed "N L Co. 7", and on the picture showing the open crane I thought I could make out REG 4636. So I ran a query on 4636 in the S&WCA Pre-war .357 Magnum database and got a hit. It listed a 5" gun with Baughman QD/King Ramp front sight, King 112 W/O rear sight, hump back hammer, and Magna grips in a shipment of 12 to the New London CT Sheriff on 04/10/39. No condition was in the listing and nothing was mentioned about inscribing on the side plate. But the configuration described in the database was exactly as showing in the Guns.com listing. That coupled with the fact that I could not imagine a scenario where someone would put near mint Pre-war Magna grips on a refinished police gun was enough to make me commit on buying the gun. It was a definite gamble because the Guns.com restocking fee is 15%, but this time I think the gamble paid off.
After waiting for over a week because of the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend, I received the gun yesterday. Being a police issued Reg Mag I could not have expected this gun to be any nicer. It is not close to perfect, but the finish is original and deep throughout, the case colors are bright, and it is all serial number matching including the grips. In fact, I'm not sure the grips were ever removed before I took them off to check the serial number. There is some light freckling in the finish in a couple places, some handling marks, and one small bright spot on the cylinder where the finish is gone - apparently from laying on something because the metal is not scratched or deformed at all. But it is easily hidden and not a show stopping distraction. The action and mechanics feel like a new gun. As it turned out the REG number is 4638, not 4636 as I thought I saw in the pictures, and after checking with Dr. Jinks it was confirmed as 1 of the 12 shipped to the New London County CT Sheriff's Office on 04/10/39. The "N L Co. 7" inscription on the side plate was also confirmed as being done at the factory.
So, yes, I was lucky this time, but the S&WCA Pre-war .357 Magnum database definitely proved its value. I will of course order the factory letter and Historical Foundation documents if there are any. Below are some of my quick pictures of the gun. The box in the pictures is one I already had for my KCPD Reg Mag, but I think this gun deserves it more. I think you can click on the pictures for a closer look…..
After waiting for over a week because of the Thanksgiving holiday and weekend, I received the gun yesterday. Being a police issued Reg Mag I could not have expected this gun to be any nicer. It is not close to perfect, but the finish is original and deep throughout, the case colors are bright, and it is all serial number matching including the grips. In fact, I'm not sure the grips were ever removed before I took them off to check the serial number. There is some light freckling in the finish in a couple places, some handling marks, and one small bright spot on the cylinder where the finish is gone - apparently from laying on something because the metal is not scratched or deformed at all. But it is easily hidden and not a show stopping distraction. The action and mechanics feel like a new gun. As it turned out the REG number is 4638, not 4636 as I thought I saw in the pictures, and after checking with Dr. Jinks it was confirmed as 1 of the 12 shipped to the New London County CT Sheriff's Office on 04/10/39. The "N L Co. 7" inscription on the side plate was also confirmed as being done at the factory.
So, yes, I was lucky this time, but the S&WCA Pre-war .357 Magnum database definitely proved its value. I will of course order the factory letter and Historical Foundation documents if there are any. Below are some of my quick pictures of the gun. The box in the pictures is one I already had for my KCPD Reg Mag, but I think this gun deserves it more. I think you can click on the pictures for a closer look…..
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