Registered Magnum appreciation day !

[Miami_JBT]

just dreaming! only 5,500 was made

Only 176 nickel 29-9s were made and I have one. Only 1,500 5903SSVs were made, yup, I got one. Only 5,000 686 Classic Hunters were made in 1988. Same deal, got one.

 

[StrawHat]

need to look up Triple Lock!

So a Registered Magnum with the paper work is worth much less?

No, for some reason collectors want the RM. Equal condition New Century, or any other model, revolvers generally fetch less than the RM.

…

Tim had no idea what he had been given. I told him that this was a registered magnum, it was extremely rare and was very expensive.
…

just dreaming! only 5,500 was made

But, there were also 357 Magnum revolvers made, just not to order, referred to as Non Registered Magnums. Far fewer of those.

Also, the Model of 1950, 45 ACP Military revolver was only made for 15 years and a total of 3976 were reportedly made. The target sighted version, the Model 1950, 45 Target Model was made for 11 years and 2768 were produced.

Kevin

 

[Mark_Mark]

No, for some reason collectors want the RM. Equal condition New Century, or any other model, revolvers generally fetch less than the RM.






But, there were also 357 Magnum revolvers made, just not to order, referred to as Non Registered Magnums. Far fewer of those.

Also, the Model of 1950, 45 ACP Military revolver was only made for 15 years and a total of 3976 were reportedly made. The target sighted version, the Model 1950, 45 Target Model was made for 11 years and 2768 were produced.

Kevin

Oooh, let me pull out my Standard S&W book and do some reading

 

[roval]

one range regular has one with i think an 8 3/8 barrel. it was very nice. the top of the barrel had some sort of crosshatching. he let me shoot a couple of rounds through it. very smooth. he said based on the serial number it was within the first 2 or 3 yrs. he bought it for $2000 more than 20 yrs ago. he brings it to the range once a year to shoot a cylinder or so.

 

[Mark_Mark]

one range regular has one with i think an 8 3/8 barrel. it was very nice. the top of the barrel had some sort of crosshatching. he let me shoot a couple of rounds through it. very smooth. he said based on the serial number it was within the first 2 or 3 yrs. he bought it for $2000 more than 20 yrs ago. he brings it to the range once a year to shoot a cylinder or so.

$2000 more than 20 years ago! WOW

 

[roval]

$2000 more than 20 years ago! WOW

he's a healthy looking close to 70 i think. when the pandemic happened and i hadn't seen him in a while as well as the range officers. i wondered what happened to him and immediately followed by where's the registered magnum. ha ha . he is in good health.

 

[Jim Watson]

This one got prettied up a bit.
See if you can tell what else is unusual.

 

[Mark_Mark]

This one got prettied up a bit.
See if you can tell what else is unusual.

View attachment 1185182

They put a Colt on the Gun?

 

[halfmoonclip]

just dreaming! only 5,500 was made

Not the Hitler Walther nor the Lincoln Derringer, but rare enough all the same.
Moon

 

[Palladan44]

I've seen early 27s without dashes
I own 27-2s

I've never actually seen a Registered Magnum in person. The original boxes are pretty!! The Blue and Gold.....

 

[Riomouse911]

This one got prettied up a bit.
See if you can tell what else is unusual.

View attachment 1185182

No “Marcas Registradas” patent line directed at Spanish made revolver copies?

Stay safe.

 

[Jim Watson]

I was looking at the "humpback" hammer, optional before the post war short action's broad "target hammer."

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

I have handled a couple of Registered Magnums at auctions. The only ones I could have afforded were in pretty bad shape, so I passed.

The Registered Magnum program was a marketing gimmick started by Smith and Wesson when the 357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in 1935. An outgrowth of the earlier 38/44 Outdoorsman and Heavy Duty revolver. The idea was the high powered 38 Special ammo for the 38/44 revolvers could accidentally be loaded into a standard 38 Special revolver with disastrous results. So S&W lengthened the case of the 38 Sp by about 1/10" so the cartridges could not be loaded into a conventional 38 Special revolver.

These Registered Magnums were the most expensive revolvers in S&W's catalog at the time, with a retail price of $60, $15 more than anything else in the catalog at the time. Don't forget, these are 1935 dollars we are talking about. Originally available with a choice of 23 different barrel lengths, six choices of sights, blue, nickel or engraved finish, optional humpback hammer,and standard or Magna grips. Because of the high price, Smith and Wesson did not expect to sell very many Registered Magnums, but they were swamped with orders, despite it being the height of the Great Depression. Only about 5,224 Registered Magnums were built until S&W ended the program in 1939. After that, there were no more Registered Magnums, just plain old 357 Magnum revolvers, later known as the Model 27 after 1957.

I will refrain from going into history of the 44 Hand Ejector 1st Model, also known as the New Century, and affectionately known as the Triple Lock. The Triple Lock used to be my grail revolver, until I was able to afford a few.

This 44 Special Target Model Triple Lock shipped in 1913.

This nickel plated 44 Special Triple Lock shipped in 1915.

This one shipped very early, in 1907. Also chambered for 44 Special. Because of the worn condition I was able to pick it up for a song a few years ago. It still locks up as tight as it did when it shipped.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I have handled a couple of Registered Magnums at auctions. The only ones I could have afforded were in pretty bad shape, so I passed.

The Registered Magnum program was a marketing gimmick started by Smith and Wesson when the 357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in 1935. An outgrowth of the earlier 38/44 Outdoorsman and Heavy Duty revolver. The idea was the high powered 38 Special ammo for the 38/44 revolvers could accidentally be loaded into a standard 38 Special revolver with disastrous results. So S&W lengthened the case of the 38 Sp by about 1/10" so the cartridges could not be loaded into a conventional 38 Special revolver.

These Registered Magnums were the most expensive revolvers in S&W's catalog at the time, with a retail price of $60, $15 more than anything else in the catalog at the time. Don't forget, these are 1935 dollars we are talking about. Originally available with a choice of 23 different barrel lengths, six choices of sights, blue, nickel or engraved finish, optional humpback hammer,and standard or Magna grips. Because of the high price, Smith and Wesson did not expect to sell very many Registered Magnums, but they were swamped with orders, despite it being the height of the Great Depression. Only about 5,224 Registered Magnums were built until S&W ended the program in 1939. After that, there were no more Registered Magnums, just plain old 357 Magnum revolvers, later known as the Model 27 after 1957.

I will refrain from going into history of the 44 Hand Ejector 1st Model, also known as the New Century, and affectionately known as the Triple Lock. The Triple Lock used to be my grail revolver, until I was able to afford a few.

This 44 Special Target Model Triple Lock shipped in 1913.

This nickel plated 44 Special Triple Lock shipped in 1915.

This one shipped very early, in 1907. Also chambered for 44 Special. Because of the worn condition I was able to pick it up for a song a few years ago. It still locks up as tight as it did when it shipped.

A Smith post is not complete without a chime from Driftwood! Thanks You!

 

[black mamba]

I had an original 5" registered magnum built in 1939, but it was stolen when my house was burglarized while I was away at work. It had the most beautifully checkered top strap to minimize glare and balanced like the Flying Wallendas. I sure miss that beauty.

 

[Jim Watson]

. After that, there were no more Registered Magnums, just plain old 357 Magnum revolvers,

No “just” about it, and not a bit plain, there are complications. They sold “unregistered” Magnums until the start of WWII, with only one shipped in 1942. Fewer than Registered but lacking the cachet. In spite of the price, a good number went to police departments and police supply dealers.
After the war, they produced 140+ Transitional Magnums with many if not all leftover parts.
In 1950 the N frames, including the Magnum, got the short action, becoming what the collectors call the “pre-27” until model numbers were assigned in 1957.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I had an original 5" registered magnum built in 1939, but it was stolen when my house was burglarized while I was away at work. It had the most beautifully checkered top strap to minimize glare and balanced like the Flying Wallendas. I sure miss that beauty.

Sorry to hear about your burglary! That’s a dam shame what people will do

that checked top strap is AMAZING

is the Model 27 pretty much the RM?

 

[Mark_Mark]

No “just” about it, and not a bit plain, there are complications. They sold “unregistered” Magnums until the start of WWII, with only one shipped in 1942. Fewer than Registered but lacking the cachet. In spite of the price, a good number went to police departments and police supply dealers.
After the war, they produced 140+ Transitional Magnums with many if not all leftover parts.
In 1950 the N frames, including the Magnum, got the short action, becoming what the collectors call the “pre-27” until model numbers were assigned in 1957.

the Pre-27 I missed out on because I didn’t know better. It lasted 6 hours in the case.

 

[StrawHat]

Pre 27? That is a “357 Magnum” in S&W terms.

Kevin

 

[Mark_Mark]

Pre 27? That is a “357 Magnum” in S&W terms.

Kevin

so why the dealer calls it a “Pre”

well respected dealer, he even let me handles his RM and told me the story of how he aquired it from an Alaskan Home steadier he worked on his ranch.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

OK, according to SCSW, the Registered Magnums were made from 1935 until 1939 with a total of about 5,224 made. The Prewar .357 Non-Registered Magnums, with no registration numbers stamped on the frame, were made from 1955 until 1941. Only about 1400 made. Production stopped during the war years. After the war, the .357 Magnum Transitional Postwar revolvers were made. 1947-1948, only about 148 made. Pre-Model 27 is an unofficial term. They were simply cataloged as The .357 Magnum. This included the current short throw hammer. Made until 1957 when Model numbers came in and became the Model 27.

This is my no-dash Model 27. It shipped in 1959.

Yes, the box says The 357 Magnum Revolver, but that is because S&W never threw anything out. It is a Model 27.

A comparison of the top straps of a Model 28 at the top of the photo, and the checkered top strap, rear sight tang, and barrel rib of my Model 27 at the bottom of the photo.

 

[orpington]

I have handled a couple of Registered Magnums at auctions. The only ones I could have afforded were in pretty bad shape, so I passed.

The Registered Magnum program was a marketing gimmick started by Smith and Wesson when the 357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in 1935. An outgrowth of the earlier 38/44 Outdoorsman and Heavy Duty revolver. The idea was the high powered 38 Special ammo for the 38/44 revolvers could accidentally be loaded into a standard 38 Special revolver with disastrous results. So S&W lengthened the case of the 38 Sp by about 1/10" so the cartridges could not be loaded into a conventional 38 Special revolver.

These Registered Magnums were the most expensive revolvers in S&W's catalog at the time, with a retail price of $60, $15 more than anything else in the catalog at the time. Don't forget, these are 1935 dollars we are talking about. Originally available with a choice of 23 different barrel lengths, six choices of sights, blue, nickel or engraved finish, optional humpback hammer,and standard or Magna grips. Because of the high price, Smith and Wesson did not expect to sell very many Registered Magnums, but they were swamped with orders, despite it being the height of the Great Depression. Only about 5,224 Registered Magnums were built until S&W ended the program in 1939. After that, there were no more Registered Magnums, just plain old 357 Magnum revolvers, later known as the Model 27 after 1957.

I will refrain from going into history of the 44 Hand Ejector 1st Model, also known as the New Century, and affectionately known as the Triple Lock. The Triple Lock used to be my grail revolver, until I was able to afford a few.

This 44 Special Target Model Triple Lock shipped in 1913.

This nickel plated 44 Special Triple Lock shipped in 1915.

This one shipped very early, in 1907. Also chambered for 44 Special. Because of the worn condition I was able to pick it up for a song a few years ago. It still locks up as tight as it did when it shipped.

Your assessment, as always, is a pleasure to read!

However, please note that the $60 for a Registered Magnum revolver was the full retail price. Many, possibly most, were purchased at a 35% discount, this being $39, as long as one had a law enforcement affiliation, or if one belonged to a pistol or revolver club, or the NRA.

 

[Mk VII]

This was a lot of money during the Depression, when many people were earning 5 or 10 cents an hour, if they were lucky enough to be working at all.

 

[StrawHat]

The RM was not aimed at the working class (or even the non working class) but at those who did not even notice the times. The RM owned by Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart and several other prominent entities are known and their whereabouts are known. J Edgar Hoovers (RM 1) has gone missing.

Kevin

 

[Mark_Mark]

The RM was not aimed at the working class (or even the non working class) but at those who did not even notice the times. The RM owned by Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart and several other prominent entities are known and their whereabouts are known. J Edgar Hoovers (RM 1) has gone missing.

Kevin

next 1-2 years, I’m going to find a beat up but functional good RM and shoot/carry the living daylights out if it!!!