What's my barrel length on this Reg. Magnum?
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I'm interested in the length and hope it is 5 1/4". Good luck........
The OP received the factory letter but is having problems with posting it. He emailed a picture of the letter to me and asked that I post it for him. It is attached below. The gun was ordered and shipped as a 5-1/2" barrel, not as rare as a 5-1/4" barrel, but still not often seen…..
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StrawHat
Member
Glad to hear the letter arrived and the "mystery " has been solved. Sorry it is not one of three but it is still a Registered Magnum, 1 of a few thousand. Not everyone has one.
Kevin
Kevin
Jinks tells us the barrel length tolerance for RM's was +/- 1/16". Looks like this may have been a Friday afternoon or Monday morning gun--------unless of course the muzzle was boogered somewhere along the way, and repaired.
Having said all that tolerance talk, I can't imagine an RM passing inspection with an error of that magnitude. Possibility next is---while the order form says it ordered with a 5 1/2" barrel, who's to say the buyer didn't change his mind in mid-stream, and asked for 5 1/4"? (My last RM was ordered with service stocks with grip adapter attached. Then, shortly after the Magna grips came along, he changed his mind.) That's just one of the little tib-bits SWHF came up with on that gun. Sounds like a search order to SWHF is next on your agenda.
Ralph Tremaine
And as an aside, where does it say it was shipped with a 5 1/2" barrel?
Having said all that tolerance talk, I can't imagine an RM passing inspection with an error of that magnitude. Possibility next is---while the order form says it ordered with a 5 1/2" barrel, who's to say the buyer didn't change his mind in mid-stream, and asked for 5 1/4"? (My last RM was ordered with service stocks with grip adapter attached. Then, shortly after the Magna grips came along, he changed his mind.) That's just one of the little tib-bits SWHF came up with on that gun. Sounds like a search order to SWHF is next on your agenda.
Ralph Tremaine
And as an aside, where does it say it was shipped with a 5 1/2" barrel?
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Model19man
Member
It says in the text of the letter that it was ordered with a 5.5" barrel.
Having been jarred into a state of semi-consciousness at this ungodly hour (for me!), I awoke thinking about the very odd protrusion of the barrel beyond the rib common to these guns. Then I stumbled to my desk to check the pictures, and damned if this gun doesn't still have it!
What that says to me, strictly as a matter of opinion, is this gun hasn't been messed with since it left Springfield-----at least not very likely by anyone except Springfield. So much for my "boogered" and repaired theory. UNLESS, that is, SWHF has something hidden away that tells us otherwise----damn it anyhow!
Ralph Tremaine
What that says to me, strictly as a matter of opinion, is this gun hasn't been messed with since it left Springfield-----at least not very likely by anyone except Springfield. So much for my "boogered" and repaired theory. UNLESS, that is, SWHF has something hidden away that tells us otherwise----damn it anyhow!
Ralph Tremaine
Yes, indeed it does!! That's EXACTLY why I asked where does it say anything about being SHIPPED with such!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Words having meaning!" Please read the words!!
Ralph Tremaine
The shipping invoice lists REG. #1705 was shipped to Edward K. Tryon with a 5 1/2-inch barrel. Exactly as ordered by them on November 19, 1936. I can post a photo of it later today if that would help end speculation about barrel length.
Bill Cross
Bill Cross
Well that certainly explains it. They either measured it or checked the order form. Hmmmmmmmmmm?
Ralph Tremaine
Ralph Tremaine
Supadupa69
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What is a registered magnum? Is it a model pre numbers like 29-, 66- etc?
From its introduction in 1935 to late in 1939, each .357 Magnum ordered was assigned a registered number and the arm was put through the factory per the specifications of the customer. A certificate of ownership/permanent guarantee was sent to each owner of a Magnum upon return of a numbered card accompanying each arm. The registered number was stamped in the yoke cut. These .357 Magnums are referred to by collectors as Registered Magnums. The assigning of registered numbers was discontinued in late 1939. Magnums produced after this up to 1941 when production was stopped due to WW II are referred to as Nonregistered Magnums. The first .357 Magnum that could be considered a Pre-Model 27 was shipped in November 1949.
Bill
Bill
Well, there you have it! It doesn't really matter what it is. If the records say it's 5 1/2", that's what it is.
Yes, the letter does create some questions. I noticed also that it states that it was "shipped from our Roosevelt Avenue factory on December 18, 1936", yet that facility wasn't in operation until 1949. Obviously, that couldn't have been on the original Company records. I've sent an advanced research request. Maybe something else might turn up. The barrel muzzle seems normal to other original RM's I've seen and I see no evidence of any rework. I know if I spent the huge amount of $60 for a special order gun in 1936, I'd want it as requested.
Yes Bill, please post the invoice. Thanks
The Magnum was shipped from S&W's plant on Stockbridge Street (letter is incorrect). See invoice below. There are four other documents concerning your .357 Magnum, namely, the order sent to S&W by Edward K. Tryon Co., Philadelphia, PA, for one .357 Magnum with a 5 1/2-inch barrel, the S&W order form filled out by company after the order was received, a letter to S&W from Frank Mitsch asking a new certificate be issued to Abe Hepner, Gary, IN the new owner of the Magnum, and the response from S&W stating a new certificate has been issued.
Bill
Bill
Bill, the REG number on the shipping invoice appears to be 1706, not 1705. Can you verify please.
Note: I have also asked the OP to verify the REG number on the gun and send me a picture of it.
Note: I have also asked the OP to verify the REG number on the gun and send me a picture of it.
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