Two Times 1 of 1!

[lestert357]

Thanks to Forum member Thinnes I was able to double my collection of early postwar .357 Magnum Transitionals and now have added the only known 8-3/4" Transitional to the only known 8-1/2" Transitional. I believe taken together they would pass the mikepriwer "Rare Pairs" test [emoji1]…..

The newly acquired 8-3/4" is not quite as nice as the 8-1/2" showing more wear and a spot on the barrel where apparently an attempt was made to rub out some very light pitting, but mechanics are excellent and it appears to be 100% original including matching Magna grips…..

I'm currently awaiting an updated factory letter on the 8-3/4" gun, but it was originally shipped to Wright-Patterson AFB on January 19, 1948. Unfortunately the factory documentation does not specify an individual's name. Thinnes speculates that it may have been ordered for the base commander at that time (Brigadier General Joseph T. Morris, pictured below), and ironically it just so happens that the base name was being formally changed to Wright-Patterson at that exact time, but the hard evidence connecting the gun to the man is just currently not there.

Photo credit - WPAFB

Regardless, I am very happy to add the 8-3/4" Transitional to my meager collection, and look forward to giving it some shooting exercise in the near future!

 

[Truckman]

Both just outstanding...Congrats...

Now try to leave a few for us peons to find......Ben

 

[mikepriwer]

Terry

They are 'good to go' into the 'Rare Pairs' club!

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[Retired W4]

A rare pair indeed. I especially find the connection to WPAFB very interesting. The Air Material Command was head quartered there at the time, as well as other major commands, including the USAF Institute of Technology that my father attended in the early 1950s. It was also frequented be people like Gen. Vandenberg and Lt. Gen Idwal Edwards, both namesake of some very important Air Force installations.

My point being, that while BG Morris was the first base commander of the newly combined Wright Field/Patterson Field your revolver might have been secured by USAF AMC (later Air Logistics Command) for some other high ranking individual. In my mind Vandenberg would be the read prize.

If my father was alive today he might be able to steer you in the right direction. He spent many years at the Flight Dynamics Laboratory. He even spent a little time before Congress hustling research money from the appropriations committee. It's in the record. And he knew a great deal about the history of WPAFB.

Best of luck in your research and congratulations on finding such a fine, historical revolver

 

[mh51]

Rare pair, yessir! Those are two to be proud of. Thanks for letting us look.

 

[Summersteel]

Please forgive my ignorance, but are these post-war non-registered magnums? How do you know they only made one of each barrel length? I'm not questioning that this is true, I'm just wondering how you found out that information.
Definitely, very interesting! I have some reading/learning to do....

 

[lestert357]

Please forgive my ignorance, but are these post-war non-registered magnums? How do you know they only made one of each barrel length? I'm not questioning that this is true, I'm just wondering how you found out that information.
Definitely, very interesting! I have some reading/learning to do....

Some suggested reading:

Postwar .357 Magnum Transitional Production


The post war transitional magnums carry over many configuration characteristics of the pre-war .357 Magnums, but also introduce several of the configuration characteristics that became standard on the later short action models - sometimes referred to as the 1950 models. Specifically the characteristics of these transitional magnums are as follows:

1. Pre-war "long action" trigger system and hammer (standard or "hump back") with concentric grooves on the sides of the hammer, but with the lower forward face of the hammer cut to accommodate the new hammer block safety.
2. No "REG. U.S. PAT. OFF." marking on the back of the hammer or trigger as found on the pre-war magnums. Note one exception: the hump back hammer on serial number S71642, which is verified by factory letter, is marked "REG. U.S. PAT. OFF."
3. Large ejector rod knob and corresponding cutout in the ejector rod shroud.
4. Pre-war frame (slightly longer than the later short action models in the grip portion of the frame) with exposed hammer pin on the left side (same as pre-war magnums), but with the trigger return spring stud (domed on pre-war magnums) machined flush with the left side of the frame as on the later short action models.
5. Rear most side plate screw with flat head as on the later short action models.
6. Usually a one-line "MADE IN U.S.A." on the right side of the frame with one observed example showing the four-line "MARCAS REGISTRADAS" roll mark.
7. Pre-war barrel (including location of barrel markings) with the rib cut flush with the end of the barrel on most extant transitional magnums, however on some transitional magnums (including S71964 and S71486 which are the 8-1/2" and 8-3/4" respectively) the rib is slightly recessed exactly like the pre-war magnums.
8. Post war micrometer-click rear sight.
9. Fitted with post war Magna grips with post war medallions cut for the larger pre-war grip frame.
10. Serial number is prefixed with an "S" signifying the incorporation of the improved hammer block safety.
11. Shipped in either a pre-war blue picture box or the post war gold box generally with the nickel plated sight adjustment tool.