Trying to identify this gun.

[Nolanx3]

I inherited this smith from my grandfather. Im trying to find out more about it. Before I found this site, I have found little info. It may be a pre 27? I would like to know the true model and age of the pistol. I will post pictures as soon as I figure out how to do that from a phone. Thanks.


Nickel plated .357 Magnum.
3 1/2 inch barrel.
REG 389 on the yolk.

 

[BC38]

I inherited this smith from my grandfather. Im trying to find out more about it. Before I found this site, I have found little info. It may be a pre 27? I would like to know the true model and age of the pistol. I will post pictures as soon as I figure out how to do that from a phone. Thanks.


Nickel plated .357 Magnum.
3 1/2 inch barrel.
REG 389 on the yolk.

You have the HOLY GRAIL of Smith and Wesson handguns.
What is known as a Registered Magnum.
PLEASE post some pictures!
Do you have the original box, paperwork, tools, registration certificate?
This is a very valuable revolver. Pictures will help the site experts give you a realistic idea of just how valuable.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! With the low registration number, it was likely made in 1935. If you would post a serial number, perhaps that can be narrowed down.

 

[delcrossv]

Posting a serial number with the last digit or two x'd out will help with dating as well.

Definitely post pictures.
Start a post
scroll down to "manage attachments"
click and add an attachment in the popup.

Or

upload your photos to Imgur or another picture app. You can paste them here

 

[Nolanx3]

Thanks for the welcome. I will get some pictures up as soon as I figure out how to do that from a phone. The S.N. 46*** followed by a star. I couldn't find anything out about that at all. I may have to email the pictures to another member and have them post the pictures. My computer is down currently so I only have three phone to work with. I couldn't find a way to upload that way yet.

 

[Nolanx3]

I had to add the pictures to an existing post. I will get more up loaded by tomorrow afternoon.

 

[mh51]

Nolan,
The star suffix indicates factory repair or refinish. If you remove the left grip, on the lower left grip frame you will find a date code similar to 1.46 or 11.64. Indicates the month and year the factory work was done.
I doubt that the current finish is factory work, but a historical letter by Mr. Jinks will give you details about when it was shipped and what its original
features and finish were.
Congrats.....its still a piece of history!

 

[Wiregrassguy]

If you have a smart phone, download the Tapatalk app from your app store. It makes navigating and posting pictures much easier. You can even take a picture and upload it while composing a post.


Unfortunately, it appears your RM has been refinished outside the factory after it was worked on and possibly refinished by the factory. That will seriously affect the value of the gun.

 

[Ruger 13]

The hammer and trigger are nickel plated...........not original. Still collectible.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! All good information above.

Only a few thousand of these were made and they are highly sought after by collectors in any condition. If you are able I would suggest obtaining a letter of authenticity from the S & W Historical Foundation:

http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/swhf_letter.pdf

After you have this (2-3 month wait time), a search of the factory records will likely turn up other documents about it, such as the original handwritten order form (perhaps filled out by your grandfather?) and any correspondence.

http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/swhf_form.pdf

Cool gun and thanks for sharing!

 

[Nolanx3]

Thank you all for the info. I know way more in a few minutes than I've been able to find out for years. Sincere thank you. This was my grandfather's every day carry weapon for 50 plus years. I never saw him without it or his yellow case knife. Im going to try and get a letter from Mr. Jinks and more info on the gun. And I will share it with the group.

 

[bill-in-texas]

Nolan,
Welcome!

You made quite an introduction... Congratulations on having a very desirable S&W; knowing it was your grandfather's is icing on the cake.

-Bill

 

[Art Doc]

One of those bittersweet situations. A very desirable and valuable gun if in good original condition, but yours is in awful condition. Still a cool gun and any S&W lover would want it. But the lack of original finish and stocks lowers the value by thousands of dollars.

 

[hkcavalier]

One of those bittersweet situations. A very desirable and valuable gun if in good original condition, but yours is in awful condition. Still a cool gun and any S&W lover would want it. But the lack of original finish and stocks lowers the value by thousands of dollars.

Sad but true. This was not a quality plate job, whenever it was done. What could have been an $8000 gun becomes a ~$3000 one, if I'm going off recent pricing.

 

[BC38]

Just curious as to why people are saying the plate job is so terrible. A close up look at the picture makes me think it is just really dirty and / or "frosted". An hour or so with some Mother's Mag Polish or Flitz and a soft rag and I'm thinking it should buff right up. It isn't ever going to be original finish, but I bet it will still shine like a new penny.

The rollmarks I see don't look heavily buffed, and the studs and pins don't look like they've been polished flat. I think it may be a decent plate job that just needs some serious elbow grease.

It would sure be nice to see several more photos - like one of the extractor star, the other side, better pictures of the hammer and trigger (which look to be plated in the picture) close ups of the logo and other markings etc. A half a dozen more good photos would answer a lot of questions.

 

[quinn]

Nolan: your grandfather's gun is simply outstanding in my humble opinion. I have two examples of similar guns: one is a 3rd model 44 Wolf & Klar with peeling nickel. It served with two generations of Texas peace officers in a rough part of the state. The other is a refinished with stag grips that served with the FBI and later as an Arkansas sheriff in that man's second career. The history these guns bring is worth in my view more than the remaining finish. The fact that it was your grandfather's and you have many memories of it is absolutely priceless.

 

[lihpster]

That revolver has seen alot in it's day. Wish it could talk. That's the kind of gun that trips my trigger.
Nolan, nice gun and a very nice remembrance of your Grandfather. I would carry it and shoot it as he did. As far as value goes, on the collectors market it's not gonna bring top dollar. As a memento, priceless.