Registered magnum

[Ljoconnor]

I picked up a reg. Magnum and was wondering if there was any information available about its history.The grips are numbered to it. I had them off and are pretty tight so I didn't take them off again when I was taking pictures. Serial number is 50160 and the registered number is 1868. I was told that it was shipped to Denver to a retailer and no history after that. I don't have any information about it in writing. The barrel is 6 1/2 inches and its action is smooth as glass. I will try posting pictures but this is my first attempt at this. I have been here quite a while but not computer savvy. Thanks in advance for your help. Larry
The only wear that is out of the normal is the left side of the barrel.

 

[mrcvs]

That's a nice Registered Magnum, other than the nasty scrape on the barrel.

To learn more, I would get a factory letter.

Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation

swhistoricalfoundation.com

 

[Ljoconnor]

Thank you for your reply! I was just wondering if there was a place that could tell me more about it before I sent for a letter. Because the guy I got it from said all s&w could tell him that it was shipped to a distributor and I am not sure that would be beneficial in the long term. Thanks again! This is a very interesting forum. Larry

 

[Gun Relics]

This RM is an important and historic gun. The letter cost, at $100, is just a fraction of it's value. Even if it just tells you the configuration and shipping date, the letter is an important start to documenting your revolver. There may be more information available but only the S&W HF can tell you that.

 

[DARE]

Very nice, congratulations. You should get a letter and then request any documents that are available. On the Registered Magnums there are usually documents to be had. There is an extra fee for this. You will be quoted a price for what they find. No charge if nothing is found.
For my gun there were five documents.
1. Order for two guns.
2. The S&W order form
3. A letter from S&W discussing a change in the order.
4. The S&W invoice
5. A repair letter when the gun was sent back to S&W about a year later.

The repair letter mentioned that the gun was the property of an FBI Agent.
That would have been unknown without requesting the documents.

 

[Ljoconnor]

I just ordered a letter! You guys are a very convincing crew! Very informative also! Thanks again for your time! Larry

 

[22hipower]

That's a nice RM, you were fortunate to find it. We love to hear the stories as to where they're found and how you were able to beat out all the other folks who wanted it. Thanks for sharing the pictures too. Getting the letter, especially for an RM, is always a good idea. Even if it only confirms the configuration and ship to location/date as that is valuable information. If you sell the gun you'll usually get back more than the cost of the letter by having one.

 

[lestert357]

No guarantees, but based on the serial number your RM probably originally shipped from the factory in the January 1937 timeframe.

 

[Ljoconnor]

Thanks for your opinion on the shipping time frame.I know where this pistol has been for the last 50 years but I don't know anything about it before that. This was owned by the local states attorney who later became a judge. He has long retired now and sold off his firearms. This being one of them. When the letter from s&w comes I will post it. Thanks Larry

 

[Hawg Rider]

Very very nice, and my favorite barrel length! An RM like yours is on my short list of grail guns, but I'd have to sell one of my kidneys to buy one! You are very fortunate to have acquired that beauty, enjoy!

 

[DARE]

Larry, Mr. Lester's opinion is very informed. Until recently he was in charge of the Pre-War .357 Magnum Database on the SWCA site. Another indication of your shipping date is the small logo on the left side. On July 21, 1936 a directive was issued for a bigger logo on the right side. Roy Jinks, the #1 S&W guru says the new logo showed up in the Spring of 1937.