Smith and Wesson .357 magnum

[crisbee1]

The rest of the Story................please!

Grandma's second husband was a Was a Dentist in the Greater Pittsburgh area. He moved to AZ in the early 70's, He was an avid bird hunter and loved to shoot skeet. He would have been in his 40's in the thirty's.

I am not a collector, I found this in a cubby hole, loaded, behind some closet shelving. I dusted it off, oiled it and tossed it in the safe not knowing what it was.

Twice a year I pull everything out to wipe and oil. It bothered me that there was no model number on it like my other Smith's.
That is how It found it's way here.

I prolly need to do my due dilgence and get the letter.

I don't have the stock grips or box or registration.

Chris.

 

[crisbee1]

There are no marks on the handle indicating a factory refinish or repair, I beleive it is original.

 

[crisbee1]

Welcome to the forum. You might want to move this to the 1896-1961 area. I am guessing this is a Model 27 - it's sort of hard to tell with only one picture. If you open up the yoke, do you see anything on the frame that says something like "MOD 27"?

Sorry, please move if required.

 

[crisbee1]

Quite a first post! It appears to be a pre-WW II Reigstered Magnum, not quite an antique but a sought after gun.

Can you give the serial number from the bottom of the grip frame, and the REG number from the frame under the barrel? What is the barrel length, muzzle to cylinder face?

Barrel length is 6 1/2"

Thanks
Chris

 

[gjamison]

What a great find! The condition looks beautiful.

If I owned it I would send for a factory letter, once you receive the letter then you can contact the S&W historically foundation. They may have even more information about your revolver.

That an outstanding registered magnum!

 

[fyimo]

What a great find and agree with him getting a factory letter on this gun

 

[scooter123]

So, the next question becomes What is the Value. Not being an expert but having seen what the RM's can command in price IMO it's likely worth over 10K in that condition, even without the correct stocks or box. Because what I can see of the finish appears to be extremely good, perhaps even nearly new.

 

[andyo5]

What prompted you to tear out the wall in the first place? Were you demolishing the home?

 

[crisbee1]

What prompted you to tear out the wall in the first place? Were you demolishing the home?

It was in a spot completly out of sight yet easy enough to get to. the home was sold.

I am in Arizona.

 

[Nightowl]

I cannot see a REG number. Could it be a non registered with a 57xxx serial number?

 

[crisbee1]

I cannot see a REG number. Could it be a non registered with a 57xxx serial number?

 

[andyo5]

It was in a spot completly out of sight yet easy enough to get to. the home was sold.

I am in Arizona.

I am in Arizona too. And I just bought a home.
Maybe I should check to see if there are any hidden guns.

 

[Modified]

Oh my, what a gun to find.

Personally I love the King modified hammers on these. It would be hard to find anything neater while cleaning out a house, or more desirable.

 

[crisbee1]

I am in Arizona too. And I just bought a home.
Maybe I should check to see if there are any hidden guns.

Holler if you need help

 

[Art Doc]

Definitely a Registered Magnum from around 1938 or 39 or so. King equipped and wearing aftermarket thumb rest stocks so somebody was into bullseye shooter. A very valuable revolver. More valuable with box and original stocks but even as is worth quite a bit of money to right buyer.

My father in law was in the real estate business and said he found a number of guns left behind in houses over the years. Other things, too. After 30 days they are his so he just sold them.

 

[murphydog]

6 1/2" was the most common barrel length for these by report. After you receive your factory letter, you can request a search for additional factory documentation via the S & W Historical Foundation:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-historical-foundation/136062-s-whf-letters.html

And here is a search about this model on the Forum - enjoy!

http://smith-wessonforum.com/search...f=FORID:10&ie=UTF-8&q=Registered+Magnum&sa=Go

Enjoy!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Grandma's second husband was a Was a Dentist in the Greater Pittsburgh area. He moved to AZ in the early 70's, He was an avid bird hunter and loved to shoot skeet. He would have been in his 40's in the thirty's.

I am not a collector, I found this in a cubby hole, loaded, behind some closet shelving. I dusted it off, oiled it and tossed it in the safe not knowing what it was.

Twice a year I pull everything out to wipe and oil. It bothered me that there was no model number on it like my other Smith's.
That is how It found it's way here.

I prolly need to do my due dilgence and get the letter.

I don't have the stock grips or box or registration.

Chris.

Thanks for the back story..... RM4174...mine is RM 46xx letters to 1939 and shipped to "The Burgh"

 

[410bore]

First of all, excellent find! As a lover of King Guns its right up my alley.

From viewing the pics, I would hazard a guess that the front sight was replaced by King at the time they modified the hammer; the pin securing the base to the barrel looks larger than factory to me and the color is not correct either. Nonetheless, its still a Reg Mag in original finish and the King parts make it very cool.

Someone before me mentioned it could be worth $10,000.00, I don't think its worth that much as several all original examples with original grips and boxes have sold in that range. I do however, think your Reg Mag is safely worth $4,000+ as-is.

 

[Usmc5811]

All I found in the walls were spider webs and dust. Then the wife asked what in the heck I was doing tearing holes in the wall. Oh well some people get all the luck. I think I would go buy a lottery ticket if I was you. And yes I am green with envy.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

Oh boy...what a find!! WoW!!