RM #989: Warning - Picture Heavy

[WoodSmith]

Lucky me, I stumbled across a Registered Magnum a few months ago. It came with 1950's diamond target stocks, and, thanks to Kurac, they are replaced with claro walnuts w/medallions. The RM has a Marble front sight, 6 1/2" barrel, and humpback hammer. According to Jinks, several changes were made by previous owner(s) (i.e. barrel, front & rear sight, hammer).

I've found pictures posted by others on this forum to be very valuable in identifying and understanding subtle differences. So with this in mind, here are pics of RM # 989:

 

[WoodSmith]

Lucky me, I stumbled across a Registered Magnum a few months ago. It came with 1950's diamond target stocks, and, thanks to Kurac, they are replaced with claro walnuts w/medallions. The RM has a Marble front sight, 6 1/2" barrel, and humpback hammer. According to Jinks, several changes were made by previous owner(s) (i.e. barrel, front & rear sight, hammer).

I've found pictures posted by others on this forum to be very valuable in identifying and understanding subtle differences. So with this in mind, here are pics of RM # 989:

 

[pbslinger]

Wow! Nice looking RM!

Nice pictures too.

 

[Camster]

Great gun! Thanks for sharing.

 

[WoodSmith]

that is not a Humpback hammer. It is the standard hammer found on the pre-war .357 Magnums.

Thanks for the correction - still learning.

 

[DHENRY]

Bob,
A real pretty example.
That combination of sights makes the RM (IMHO) lots easier to sight on targets than the old patridge and square-notch that appears so frequently.
The 6-1/2" barrel is a very pleasing and well-balanced look.
Enjoy!
Don

 

[Swissman]

Great pictures from a holy grail.

Swissman

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Do you know when the barrel was traded out? Must have been a factory job. Very nice gun, one of these days I hope to get one. Marry Christmas to everyone, hope your not on the bad boy or girl list. Later John

 

[j38]

Bob, Beautiful RM - and great pictures. Those grips look really nice on that gun - and look comfortable as well. Do you plan to shoot it - or will it be a "safe queen"? Thanks for sharing, Jerry

 

[Memphis]

Very beautiful gun. I have grown to really appreciate excellent pictures like these after having begun trying to take them myself. Razor sharp detail. I just love how all these RM's seem to be comming out of the woodwork for us all to enjoy. Merry Christmas.

Roger

 

[glypnir]

Pretty, pretty

 

[RKmesa]

Woodsmith:

That RM is beautiful! If the barrel is not original, it sure looks like it was a factory shortening/re-barrel, as the checkering on the barrel rib under the Marble front sight has been removed for a flat surface to surface mount. In addition, the recess of the barrel rib from the front of the barrel also appears to be factory correct and the SN matches the SN on the cylinder. Do there happen to be any factory re-work symbols (e.g. star, diamond, triangle) under the grips or on the bottom of the grip frame by the SN? The bluing also looks great!

BTW - the Marble front sight that is on that RM is one of the sight options listed in the RM brochure, where it indicates that they were usually "... used with the medium "U" notch rear sight."

Congrats on a great find.

 

[WoodSmith]

Thanks everyone for the information and complements.

I have shot the RM. Compared to a M27 that has had a nice 'trigger improvement' the RM trigger is lighter and feels 'snappy'- for lack of a better description. The hammer seems to fall quicker - but it's probably just due to the lighter trigger?

Under the grips there is a very small 'B' on the right side and a very small 'S' on the left side. These are the only symbols. Most likely inspection codes?

Although dificult to tell by the picture, the rear sight is not a 'U' notch, it's square.

 

[kwill1911]

Bob,

Please contact me at kevin at kwill.com. I know the whereabouts of the box, certificate, mailing tube, etc. for your gun.

Regards and Merry Christmas,
Kevin Williams

 

[A10ACN]

Please contact me at kevin at kwill.com. I know the whereabouts of the box, certificate, mailing tube, etc. for your gun.

Okay, two ways to look at this, either:
A. Kevin comes through, again!!
OR
B. Uh-oh, Kevin, not again!!

Either way, it would be great to get them back together!!

 

[merlindrb]

Very pretty gun. Very clean example.

It's a shame about the barrel change, especially as the 8 3/8" barrel length is so rare in an RM - only an estimated 38 made.

The "B" stamp indicates a blue gun. Likewise an "N" would indicate nickel. I think the "S" is just an inspection or manufacturing mark.

What's with the comments about Kevin (kwill1911)?

 

[Scharfshutzen]

These old Smith & Wesson revolvers are nothing but absolute KOOL!!!!!

Excellent Pictures!!!!