Sad Tale of woe, pre-war 357 magnum

[Doc Watson]

In early 1990's, I walked into a local pawn shop, as part of my official duies as a Police Detective. I spied what I assumed was a model 27, with 6 1/2 barrel, for 250.00. The reason it was so cheap the rear sight was missing. Bought the thing, and of course it bugged me where to get a sight. Contacted Roy Jinks at Smith and Wesson, he advised the old style rear sights were no longer available. This was before this sight and the internet if memory serves me. Anyway, I contaced Clark Custom in La. Sent the old gun off, came back with a modern rear sight and a Kings reflective undercut front sight. Only in recent years has it dawned on me that I probably ruined a pre-war 357 magnum. Factory letter states it was shipped in 1940 to Folsom arms. The moral of this tale is anytime you get an old revolver slow down and don't do foolish young man things. It does shoot very well, though!

 

[pantannojack]

You got what you paid for. 20 yrs ago While in negotiation for my first home and acreage purchase in mid age, I was shown by a co worker a 4" 44 spcl Triple Lock. I recognized it right away because of an Am Rifle magazine article. I could have had it for 3hun$ I believe, but trying to change my ways and be responsible I only advised him what he had. He offered it to a shark dealer who said it had a shortened bbl and only valued it toward less than the 3 I stated. I don't know what happened to it. I made the right choice because my prop value has gone from 80k to 400k.

 

[CajunBass]

It does shoot very well, though!

Doesn't sound like you "ruined" it to me. Maybe some collector value is all.

How about a picture?

 

[22hipower]

We really need to see pictures of that so we can commiserate properly with you on that "ruined" old 357. I suspect there are a few of us here who will happily make you whole on your purchase. . .and the $ spent on "ruining" it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Jack Flash]

So these events have been over and done with for twenty years?
Time to let go.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I picked up a 99% 61/2" RM about 20 years ago now for $350 out the door. [the then going price for a 6" model 28]
Except it was missing it's original grips...... had Grasshorn make me a set of period correct, no bark stag grips and stag T-grip.

Would not have recognized it for what it was except for the group of guys posting on this Forum.

Often wonder how many I missed over the prior 25 years as I wondered around Pa Gun Shops

 

[22hipower]

I picked up a 99% 61/2" RM about 20 years ago now for $350 out the door. [the then going price for a 6" model 28]
Except it was missing it's original grips...... had Grasshorn make me a set of period correct, no bark stag grips and stag T-grip.

Would not have recognized it for what it was except for the group of guys posting on this Forum.

Often wonder how many I missed over the prior 25 years as I wondered around Pa Gun Shops

Ok, now we want to see that one too!

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[gwpercle]

Awesome Post !
Thanks for reminding me . It made me think of my father .

When younger my Dad would give me this advice ...
... " Boy , don't be acting the fool !."
Gary

 

[austintexas]

Magnum

I picked up my registered Magnum by accident. A co-worker called and said they had a Highway Patrolman down at the local pawnshop. I went down to look at it, at first glance I recognized the front sight as prewar magnum. Not to drool all over it, I nonchalantly offered $350 out the door (It was priced $450). To my surprise they said OK. 3 1/2" barrel, Manufactured 1936.
SWCA 892

 

[mchom]

Don't beat yourself up Doc

You made it functional which was reasonable at the time with what you knew. Would also love to see pics.

 

[Doc Watson]

posting photos

for some reason I have never been able to post photos on this site. I can text them or email them to someone to post for me.

 

[MajorD]

Decades ago no one ever imagined what the collector market today would be. In years gone by most people bought guns as functional tools ( though not shot as much as these days considering the cost of ammo relative to wage and expenses years ago) so it sometimes surprises me when guns from the 60's or earlier are found and offered for sale mint in box. Relatively far fewer people had disposable income decades ago compared to modern times.
Back in the 60's for example, when bullseye pistol competition was very popular, the choices were to buy a colt gold cup, or a basic government model and have a gunsmith make it a bullseye gun. The other very popular option was to buy a cheap beat up USGI 1911 to have built. Back then people figured "it is just an old Army gun no biggie they made millions of them" but today look how value on USGI guns has risen.
One of the saddest gun related things I ever saw back in the 80's was an all correct real singer 1911A1 with all the correct markings parts etc. someone in the 60's had chromed it and put adjustable sights on it!

 

[Doc Watson]

You are correct I grew up during that time, and I remember every household had a pistol of some type, but I never saw anyone shoot theirs, unless they were Police. Rifle and shotgun sure, but the pistol, was usually a 38 special and was deemed to expensive to shoot, at 4.00 a box of factory 158 grain round nose bullets. My Grandfather had a Colt Police Positive in 32-20 and I never saw anyone shoot it.

 

[Truckman]

One of the saddest gun related things I ever saw back in the 80's was an all correct real singer 1911A1 with all the correct markings parts etc. someone in the 60's had chromed it and put adjustable sights on it!

Assuming my memory is somewhat functional today, that would be one of 500 manufactured......Ben

 

[lestert357]

Here's Doc Watson's "Sad Tale of Woe" Reg Mag…..

 

[Doc Watson]

thanks for posting for me

 

[mchom]

Doc
Very nice Registered Magnum!

 

[Doc Watson]

thanks, I am proud of it.

 

[RKmesa]

thanks, I am proud of it.

... as you should be. It is a nicely modified pre-war Magnum.

 

[younggun22]

Coming from someone who has given up on the registered magnum hunt … any reg mag is a good one.