Tulsa Find— Post War Transitional .357

[Flygas]

I arrived back in the States from six months working in Kenya late on Thursday evening prior to the Tulsa gun show. I was exhausted from the trip but excited to catch up with friends, old and new, and see what treasures I could find. Tulsa did not disappoint! I was fortunate to find this post war Transitional .357 Magnum, one of 142 made. Serial number S71721 shipped December 23, 1948 to W.A.L. Thompson Company in Topeka, Kansas for the Kansas State Patrol. Unlike many police revolvers, this gun still wears its original finish and when I showed it to David Carroll, his comment was “that’s a good, straight gun.” Approval from David carries considerable weight with me. Lee Jarrett apparently owned it at some point in the past, as well. I know Registered Magnums are the “glamour gun” but this rare bird is much more special, in my opinion.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome home and nice find! Can't recall seeing more than three or four of these for sale ever.

 

[Flygas]

Here are a few additional pics of the post war Transitional .357 Magnum shipped to Kansas State Patrol. All numbers are matching except the grips.

 

[Retired W4]

Here are a few additional pics of the post war Transitional .357 Magnum shipped to Kansas State Patrol. All numbers are matching except the grips.

It seems many PD armorers didn't worry about keeping the grips to the original guns.

 

[lestert357]

Congratulations on a rare purchase! Did the seller know what he had?

I’m pretty sure that gun is in the SWCA database, but I can’t get into the database to verify right now. I will add it if it’s not there.

 

[DARE]

Congratulations!
SCSW 4th says:

Value too rare to estimate. This revolver in virtually any condition is going to be expensive.

Nuff said.

Terry, I looked at the database and the gun is listed.

 

[Flygas]

Congratulations on a rare purchase! Did the seller know what he had?

I’m pretty sure that gun is in the SWCA database, but I can’t get into the database to verify right now. I will add it if it’s not there.

Terry, the seller had two tables of mostly Smith and Wessons from the estate of a long time collector. There were half a dozen Registered Magnums, several pre-27s, a Triple Lock, and others. Everything was priced about double (or more) what one would expect. While he hadn’t identified this gun as a post war Transitional, he had it priced very high. But this is the only one I’ve ever held in my hands so I didn’t want to walk away. I’m poor but happy!

 

[murphydog]

Terry, the seller had two tables of mostly Smith and Wessons from the estate of a long time collector. There were half a dozen Registered Magnums, several pre-27s, a Triple Lock, and others. Everything was priced about double (or more) what one would expect. While he hadn’t identified this gun as a post war Transitional, he had it priced very high. But this is the only one I’ve ever held in my hands so I didn’t want to walk away. I’m poor but happy!

A common tale of happiness, and woe, here.

 

[6string]

Wow, 1948!
Can you imagine (maybe some of you guys personally remember?) what it must’ve been like to acquire a brand new production 357 Magnum back in the immediate post-war years?
A real treasure then, as well as now!

 

[flundertaker]

I ogled that same table for a good long while in Tulsa as well. My wife even commented on his pricing. I reminded her that it’s called a “gun show” and not a “gun sale”. I definetly got the message the seller was more than happy to tote his entire collection on to the next show. If the OP found what he wanted and had the resources, I’m sure both he and the seller are happy.

 

[Shark Bait]

Wow! Thanks for sharing this, and congratulations.

 

[BaylorCattleGuy]

Great buy and welcome home.

 

[quinn]

I noticed after all the time Scott and I hung around your table...that you always kept that tuck underneath. Awesome!

 

[6string]

I ogled that same table for a good long while in Tulsa as well. My wife even commented on his pricing. I reminded her that it’s called a “gun show” and not a “gun sale”. I definetly got the message the seller was more than happy to tote his entire collection on to the next show. If the OP found what he wanted and had the resources, I’m sure both he and the seller are happy.

Yeah, I remember to this day specific guns, and the asking prices, I’d seen going to gun shows with my Dad back in the 1980s.
How about a pre-24 1950 Target .44 Special, in Pinto finish, complete with a factory letter for $650? Or, a mint 4” nickel pre-29 in the case for $500?
I saw both of these, and more, at show after show for well over a year. “Does he really expect to get that?”, we asked ourselves at the time…..followed years later by, “we shoulda got that…”!
Who’s to say?
They certainly made a lasting impression on me.
If you really want it, maybe just get it!

 

[lestert357]

All numbers are matching except the grips.

Shane, can you share the grip serial number? I will add that to the database as well.

 

[Rusty parrot]

Shane,
Congratulations and that’s one special homecoming present.
Delighted for you, let the celebration begin.
Best to you,
Jake

 

[Flygas]

Shane, can you share the grip serial number? I will add that to the database as well.

Terry, grip frame serial number is S71721.

 

[lestert357]

Shane, I thought you said the grips were mis-matched.

 

[Flygas]

Shane, I thought you said the grips were mis-matched.

Sorry, Terry, I misread your question. I thought you asked the grip frame serial number. The grips are #95884.

 

[Valmet]

That is quite a “welcome back!” Very nice example of a transitional .357