The best of both... three(?) worlds in a pre-27.

[Todd1917]

I very, VERY seldom seek out a gun but rather have a sense of interests and when they cross my path and the cost/finances gods favor me, I pounce.

I let a .38/44 go many years ago as it made little sense to me other than collectibility. Too, it financed something of a Czech flavor that I was seriously jonseing for.

In any case, here last week I get a call about an estate sale with guns&stuff.

I give them a once over, sharpen my pencil and form an offer which was happily taken.

In one fell swoop I scored a pre-27 and a relatively early nickel 39-2. BOTH on my personal *watch list*. Also some other neat bits.

Now, I'm waiting for my *Letter* on it. I figure S 76**0 puts it solidly in the post-war '40's but the letter will nail that down. Even if early 50's, I don't care.

Now to the "best of..."

I have ZERO interest in NIB guns or even those of such a high condition/collectibility that I fear handling too much let alone shooting.

This rascal got CARRIED! But is still quite tight and with my most desired 3.5 inch barrel to boot. Win..... Win..... wait for it..... WIN!!!

One grip is serially marked while the other, though perfectly matching, is not. I'm not completely certain that they both should be anyhow.

It came with a vintage Fitz target grip as well.

So, here it is:

 

[wheelgun610]

... Now, I'm waiting for my *Letter* on it. I figure S 76**0 puts it solidly in the post-war '40's but the letter will nail that down. Even if early 50's, I don't care...

That style of hammer is the first visual indication that it's definitely later than you're guessing. That hammer first showed up in 1950. Your gun is most likely a '51 vintage with that serial number.

Mark

 

[rct269]

Only the right hand grip is marked by the factory--------------so, so far so good??

Ralph Tremaine

 

[Nightowl]

Stocks are numbered only on the right one. S76xxx should be a 1950 shipped gun. But, one can never be sure without a letter, although I would think they went out the door as fast as they could make them back then.

 

[JayCeeNC]

Most S76xxx .357 Magnums shipped in May, June, and July of 1950.

 

[RKmesa]

This rascal got CARRIED! But is still quite tight and with my most desired 3.5 inch barrel to boot. Win..... Win..... wait for it..... WIN!!!

So, here it is:

Todd:

That is a real beauty!

Congrats... Congrats... CONGRATS and thanks for sharing,

 

[Todd1917]

That style of hammer is the first visual indication that it's definitely later than you're guessing. That hammer first showed up in 1950. Your gun is most likely a '51 vintage with that serial number.

Mark

Got it. I'll take that too. I was just hoping that it wasn't in the mid 50's as most that I see listed are. Wouldn't really matter in the end - just a bit less common.

Seems like the vast majority I came across in looking were strangely within the same couple of years of '55-'56.

 

[Todd1917]

Only the right hand grip is marked by the factory--------------so, so far so good??

Ralph Tremaine

Very good to know. I had seen one on a listing that had both grips marked so I was not sure.

Still trying to get a copy the Standard Catalog.

 

[Todd1917]

Stocks are numbered only on the right one. S76xxx should be a 1950 shipped gun. But, one can never be sure without a letter, although I would think they went out the door as fast as they could make them back then.

Thank you. I'll update when the letter comes.

 

[Todd1917]

Todd:

That is a real beauty!

Congrats... Congrats... CONGRATS and thanks for sharing,

Thanks.

And thank you for blowing the pictures up. I used to know how to do that upon posting but it escapes me just now.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Nice enough to be proud of...... enough wear to not feel bad about taking it afield!

I've got a 4" 27-3 that is recessed but not pinned; in about that condition that sees some holster time!

 

[Nightowl]

With any kind of luck you will see a couple of photos of my .357 Magnum from April (I think, letter not handy) 1950, serial S759xx. Notice that it has the earlier service style hammer, which I understand they put on some of the first post war model 1950 .357s, very soon to be replaced with the semi target hammer.
My understanding that the model of 1950, .357s began around serial number S755xx. You have found a jewel!

 

[Todd1917]

With any kind of luck you will see a couple of photos of my .357 Magnum from April (I think, letter not handy) 1950, serial S759xx. Notice that it has the earlier service style hammer, which I understand they put on some of the first post war model 1950 .357s, very soon to be replaced with the semi target hammer.
My understanding that the model of 1950, .357s began around serial number S755xx. You have found a jewel!

I appreciate the information and the photographs.

At least the second time that the hammer has been commented upon.

That's an interesting switch.

I wonder - for the super-geniuses - which hammer did Registered Magnums have?

 

[RKmesa]

... which hammer did Registered Magnums have?

The pre-war Magnums had a "standard" hammer with concentric grooves on the sides...




... or some of the later ones had the "Humpback" hammer with concentric grooves on the side:



All of the un-modified pre-war Magnum hammers were long action.

Hope that this helps.

 

[Todd1917]

The pre-war Magnums had a "standard" hammer with concentric grooves on the sides...




... or some of the later ones had the "Humpback" hammer with concentric grooves on the side:



All of the un-modified pre-war Magnum hammers were long action.

Hope that this helps.

Thank you for the description and the wonderful photographs.

I was completely unaware of that hammer style. Good to know. Were I to see one in a bin I'd have likely thought it an un-finished piece.

 

[rincar]

I have s7579x don't know what year. Probably 1950. It has been refinished at some point in its life. Very accurate revolver

 

[hibbs]

I have S75529, one of the first 1950 .357 Mags.It has the flat hammer, pre war barrel, with barrel extractor rod, and is short action. Also,a 3 1/2." Factory letter says shipped in March, and made with left over pre war parts.

Richard