What do I have??

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Greetings, first timer to the site! I inherited the following .357 revolver (see attachments) and would like to know a bit more about it. Any information that you can provide would be appreciated.

S/N: 61XXX

Thank you!

My condolences on your lost. Apparently they were savvy on handguns. A 357 Magnum is a great choice for Self Defense and Home Protection even today.

Thank you for sharing.

 

[wisewatcher]

Historical letter received. The person that I inherited the firearm from his grandfather was the chief of police in Omaha from 1940-41. I’m confident this was his firearm. I also have his badges.

 

[dingomann]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing that gem with us.

 

[DARE]

Sweet, wisewatcher. Does not get much better than a Pre-war .357 Magnum with LEO provenance.
Congratulations.

 

[lestert357]

wisewatcher, Congratulations on the inheritance of that beautiful Non-Registered Magnum!

This gun is a new listing for the S&WCA database and has now been added from the information in the letter and pictures posted above. If you care to share the name of the Omaha Chief of Police during the 1940-41 period I will add that to the database as well.

I would NOT be concerned about the comment in the letter that states “With the humpback hammer not listed on the invoice, it was probably added later.” Humpback Hammers were provided at no cost on Pre-War .357 Magnums and were OFTEN NOT LISTED on invoices for Non-Registered Magnums. If you decide to request a “Deep Dive” History Request from the Historical Foundation they may have the original order for this gun that may show that the Humpback Hammer was ordered.

 

[lestert357]

It’s on the bottom of the box on a yellowish/white piece of tape or sticker.

Yes, for Registered Magnums the factory annotated the REG number and serial number on the white sticker on the bottom of the box.

For Non-Registered Magnums, such as yours, the barrel length (3-1/2”) and serial number (61XXX) were annotated on the white sticker.

In this case it appears that they also noted the Humpback Hammer (HBH) on your gun and I believe that the HBH is absolutely factory original.

 

[mikepriwer]

Robbie

Beautiful reg mag. Seems like something I need!

Regards, Mike

 

[DARE]

No one has given you a number as to value of your package. Not that you want to sell it, but maybe fun to know what others think it is worth.
I would say with a 98% gun with box and letter and LEO provenance you are looking at north of $10,000. I'm not an expert so my opinion not worth much.

 

[wisewatcher]

I was incorrect on the years that Robert served as chief. Robert Munch was the Chief of Police from: (1947–1948)

 

[dobegrant]

Congratulations on a really great revolver

 

[wisewatcher]

No one has given you a number as to value of your package. Not that you want to sell it, but maybe fun to know what others think it is worth.
I would say with a 98% gun with box and letter and LEO provenance you are looking at north of $10,000. I'm not an expert so my opinion not worth much.

Thanks, DARE. I would be curious to hear from the group on what it might bring if I decide to part with it.

 

[VM]

Thanks, DARE. I would be curious to hear from the group on what it might bring if I decide to part with it.

I think a serious collector would pay double that estimate

 

[Truckman]

I would say with a 98% gun with box and letter and LEO provenance you are looking at north of $10,000. I'm not an expert so my opinion not worth much.

David, I agree that the letter and LEO provenance adds value to a gun...Exactly how much value is only determined by the present and next caretakers...A gun such as the subject of this thread would benefit greatly by both...I'm lucky enough to own two such M&P's, both in .32-20 caliber...One has a historical letter from Roy Jinks addressed back to the San Antonio Chief of Police who happened to be the owner of the gun at that time, and the mailing address was the office of the Chief at police headquarters in San Antonio...The other was originally ordered and shipped in 1915 directly to "Judge P.R. Price" who served until his death nearly 40 years later as Chief Justice of the Texas 8th Court of Appeals...The judge was known to carry his S&W revolver under his robes as he sat on the bench...

In both those cases I believe the value of my guns rises with those documents accompanying them......Ben

 

[lestert357]

Double is probably a stretch, although these short barrel pre-war .357 Magnums with police provenance and condition are definitely in high demand. Here is a 2018 Rock Island Auction listing of a comparable Non-Registered Magnum with police provenance. This gun did not have a box but has impressive police history and collection provenance:

Smith & Wesson - 357 Magnum Kansas P.D. Shipped | Rock Island Auction

The same gun sold again at RIA in 2021 for slightly more:

Police Smith & Wesson Non-Registered .357 Magnum Revolver | Rock Island Auction