Registered Magnum

BatteryOaksBilly

BatteryOaksBilly

A SHOOTER
Benefactor
Life Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2018
Messages
18,591
Location
Conway, S.C.
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Mods, please, do what ever you need to do about this post. That is place it where you think it should be or throw it away.
One of our members is engaged in a battle on GB now to get this S&W Regitered Magnum. One of the 2 Holy Grails of S&W revolvers.
I hope he gets it. It is up to $4,344.00 and climbing. Sold $4,531.
Thanks Mods!!!!!
 
Last edited:
I've never dared to dream of a Registered Magnum so I "settled" on Model 27's of which I own a few but like the guy in the attachment, the 3.5" barrels are my fav and it took me a while to find one in the condition I wanted and when I did I jumped like a frog and actually DROVE 12 hours to see/buy it. Worth every penny and every minute I devoted to it...

Pic to follow later.... maybe...
 
It is fascinating to me that such a tremendous amount of hand craftsmanship went into manufactured goods like this in the 1930's during the Depression.

Total apples to apricots comparison, but I used to know my way around a five string banjo, and pre-war Gibson banjos and mandolins made during this same time period also enjoy this level of craftsmanship, notoriety, and retained value.
 
Last edited:
I wonder how much more it would go for if the barrel hadn't been cut (or the factory letter wasn't mistaken)?
 
large.images.jpg.ec7c5fa82b13640fa6d0341b87260f31.jpg
 
He did not get it. That was a perfect example and one you could shoot the snot out of. I loved the buggered screws. That helped with the price. To get an all numbers matching gun in a 3 1/2 is a gift from the S&W gods. I have messed with these things for a long time and I can tell you the "facts" that people put out [yes, EVEN Roy] are NOT always right. They have been found to be wrong in several instances and so much so that Ole Roy is out.
The gun went out at $4,531. A hellava deal. There are 2 or 3 more long brl ones on the GB from $13 to $20 K.
My RM went to S&W in October of 1975 for a complete refinish and has not been shot since. It is a 4 inch Nickel with King reflector sights. As a side note I sold last year a PERFECT 3 1/2 PRE 27 in the box with all docs and tools for over $4K. The man drove a good way to get it and he had 5 other King Sighted S&Ws with him.
I put any real money into Colt SAAs and pre model S&Ws. NOTHING after 1982 for me. This does not mean that the newer guns aren't good shooters just that they will never be sought after for bigger money than their purchase price.
I had never even held a RM or Triplelock 5 years ago. They are scarce!! I shoulda used that collector word...R A R E. Run Forrest RUN!!!
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
they will never be sought after for bigger money than their purchase price.
Click to expand...

The thing is...how do we KNOW this to be true? I'm sure when someone plopped down their $60 on an S&W revolver back in 1932 they didn't think "ya know, if I tuck this away, my great grand kid can buy a car with the proceeds in 2018!".

I can agree that the craftsmanship of the early/prewar revolvers is something to behold, but let's be honest, at the time they were tools for a job. So, who's to say what my great grand kids will think of as "art"?
 
Tim said:
The thing is...how do we KNOW this to be true? I'm sure when someone plopped down their $60 on an S&W revolver back in 1932 they didn't think "ya know, if I tuck this away, my great grand kid can buy a car with the proceeds in 2018!".

I can agree that the craftsmanship of the early/prewar revolvers is something to behold, but let's be honest, at the time they were tools for a job. So, who's to say what my great grand kids will think of as "art"?
Click to expand...
Exactly why I'm filling the garage with NIB Hi Points. Hope your great grandkids will find mine. :D
 
If I spent that kind of cash, my wife would say I was certifiable.;)
 
Last edited:
Tim said:
The thing is...how do we KNOW this to be true? I'm sure when someone plopped down their $60 on an S&W revolver back in 1932 they didn't think "ya know, if I tuck this away, my great grand kid can buy a car with the proceeds in 2018!".

I can agree that the craftsmanship of the early/prewar revolvers is something to behold, but let's be honest, at the time they were tools for a job. So, who's to say what my great grand kids will think of as "art"?
Click to expand...
Tim, those guns weren't bought by workin folks. No workin folks had a month's pay for a handgun. These were bought by movie stars, men of industry. Hunters of big game around the world.
As to today's worth, you only have to look back to 1982. Most all S&Ws that were made before '82 are way better than the modern guns of the same kinds. By Better I mean they bring more money. ' As to what our grandkids will like, who knows. I think the old car market will play out. They don't give a crap about older cars or even cars. Older motorcycles are getting cheaper all the time. There's nobody around here who even knows where the gas goes in a '50 pan.
Those folks that plopped down their $60 in 1935-1940 weren't folks like me. They had an unbelievable amount of throw away income. The great LEs of the time like Jelly Bryce never bought aa gun, they were gifted by folks who wanted to be their pals.
I'm still impressed with workmanship and at 70, who cares about what it costs? I'm a prideful old man too, I love to see folks handle these historic old guns and grin from ear to ear. I still hope one day you'll pull in the gates and we'll rub these old treasures and shoot them.
There's something about a Martin guitar, or Luchesse boots, or a fine Stetson, that still makes my heart pound. We must all try to never be guilty of knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing.
 
So maybe 80 years from now it'll be Wilson Combat 1911s or Barret .50s....all I'm saying is I doubt the fellas back in 1930s figured their revolvers would be collectors pieces, or the funny look I got from the gentleman when I hauled away that '65 Mustang I bought out of a barn back in '87. We just don't know what's gonna trip someone's trigger down the line..

And I agree, I'd love to have an opportunity to visit and fondle yer pieces. =]
 
The Registered Magnum is one of two S&Ws I have really wanted but never owned. The other is a Triple Lock Target in .44 Special.

Ten or so years ago, I was at the CO Arms Collectors show in Denver, CO. A collector there had a really nice Registered Magnum in the box with tools for $4500. I was sorely tempted. At that time, that was a fair retail price for the gun. Reason prevailed and I walked away. It sold that weekend. I dreamed of finding shooter grade Registered Magnum for a lower price. Still a dream.
 
Scsmith42 said:
I enjoyed reading that history on the R.M.'s; thanks for starting this thread.

On a side note, I'm a close personal friend of Jelly Bryce's oldest son Bill, and his grandsons Doug and David.
Click to expand...
WOW!!!! Ole Jelly was quite a fella. He knew how to use fame to get places. The last book written about him was really good. He once shot a man 6 times, hitting with 5 rounds. Two witnesses plus another on scene FBI Agent all swore in court that they heard 1 shot. That's putting out some lead.
 
cubrock said:
The Registered Magnum is one of two S&Ws I have really wanted but never owned. The other is a Triple Lock Target in .44 Special.

Ten or so years ago, I was at the CO Arms Collectors show in Denver, CO. A collector there had a really nice Registered Magnum in the box with tools for $4500. I was sorely tempted. At that time, that was a fair retail price for the gun. Reason prevailed and I walked away. It sold that weekend. I dreamed of finding shooter grade Registered Magnum for a lower price. Still a dream.
Click to expand...
If you make it here in October you can shoot TripleLocks and fondle an RM. Love to have you!!!!
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
WOW!!!! Ole Jelly was quite a fella. He knew how to use fame to get places. The last book written about him was really good. He once shot a man 6 times, hitting with 5 rounds. Two witnesses plus another on scene FBI Agent all swore in court that they heard 1 shot. That's putting out some lead.
Click to expand...

That it is.

I recall David Bryce regaling me with stories about Jelly back in the mid 1980’s. Jelly’s son and grandsons are all very pro 2A folks.
 
5,500 + - total production of the finest handgun S&W ever made.
That is if you leave out the Triplelock...
 
Last edited:
ncav8tor said:
I wish the guy luck in his quest to obtain the unobtainable but I don’t understand this post.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I'm the member Billy was posting about and coaching in regard to bidding and when to bid. I had to fall out of the bidding at $4,227.00. With the exception of my home, car, or wrist watch is more money than I've EVER paid for ONE ITEM in my life. Believe me the gun did have some issues, hence the reason for the fairly low price. A week later I still don't know if I'm sad that I did not win the auction or relived that I lost out.
 
Tim said:
The thing is...how do we KNOW this to be true? I'm sure when someone plopped down their $60 on an S&W revolver back in 1932 they didn't think "ya know, if I tuck this away, my great grand kid can buy a car with the proceeds in 2018!".

I can agree that the craftsmanship of the early/prewar revolvers is something to behold, but let's be honest, at the time they were tools for a job. So, who's to say what my great grand kids will think of as "art"?
Click to expand...

Sir, you make a very interesting point. Do remember during the 1930’s at the height of the depression there were Many people who had lots of disposable income. For those who wanted the best in handguns Smith and Wesson offered the Registered Magnum for those who wanted the best “tool for a job.” They sold like hotcakes

It’s further my understanding that Smith and Wesson thought of the registered magnums as a loss leader to increase the brand name. They never thought that they would receive 5,500 + - orders for them. As you know the .357 Magnum caliber was the most Powerful handgun cartage produced at that time. The original load was a 158Gr, SWC at 1,5000 FPS with 700 FPE, which is an awesome power rating for any pistol. Several months back Billy and I were able to shoot an equivalent load through a 686 CS-1 and neither of us had a lot of fun doing so.

I don’t think that anyone who ordered an R.M. ever thought of them as investments. How many folks who bought a 1963 Corvette “split window” ever considered that one day they would be selling at $250,00.00 + $$?
 
I would have a hard time spending that kind of money on anything less than a modern firearm.
 
Grim said:
I would have a hard time spending that kind of money on anything less than a modern firearm.
Click to expand...

Sir, once again I must respect your feelings. Each of us has worked hard to be able to have some of the toys we want or have. When it comes to toys the only right or wrong answer is, Can I afford it, and still pay my bills and take care of my family?

Now, I can’t see myself spending the amount money the R.M. went for on a modern firearm, with the exception of a Fine handcrafted double in African caliber.
 
Wish I could find a dangerous game double for that price. A fine H&H will run you close to the price of your house. Blaser or Merkel doubles would probably be the way to go.

I've spent an arm and a leg on some precision rifles/optics, but I justified it by believing I could put them to good use. I've passed on a few SAN Sig P210's and HK P7M8 just because I was worried something would happen to one of them and I wouldn't be able to get parts.
 
Of course, I could always buy two of everything... the wife would love that.
 
old bear said:
Sir, you make a very interesting point. Do remember during the 1930’s at the height of the depression there were Many people who had lots of disposable income.
Click to expand...
Sorry, but I was only a teenager during the 30's and don't remember much of it. :confused:
 
Sorry, but I was only a teenager during the 30's and don't remember much of it. :confused:
Click to expand...

Having spoken with a few who do remember the 30's, many did not know how poor they were, as most around them were equally poor. I guess everything is from a limited point of view. Yet, don't forget those who had money and held the course came out Way ahead of those who panicked and sold to soon.

I guess the old saw, "it takes money to make money," really is true.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom