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Only 1,518 Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum revolvers with produced with a 6 1/2 inch barrel.
LOT 3579
Excellent Documented Smith &
Wesson .357 Registered Magnum
Double Action Revolver with
Factory Letter - Serial no. 49690, 357
magnum cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. This particular Registered Magnum (reg. no. 1632) is one of 1,518 manufactured with a 6 1/2 inch
barrel (“Blue Book of Gun Values”). The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on November 6, 1936 and delivered to J. Warshal & Sons of Seattle Washington with a 6 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, King 1/8 inch ramp reflector red post front sight, King 14 11 2 rear sight (sighted at 50 yards), 6 O’clock hold, Magnum ammunition, Magna stocks, 2 1/2 lb trigger pull, and a target. Includes several J. Warshal & Sons deposit slips and receipts from 1937 related to this revolver. The deposit slips indicate that C.P. Heidinger paid for the revolver over a period of months in 1937 in a series of mostly $1 and $2 cash payments. The receipts show that Heidinger paid off the revolver in May as well as purchased two boxes of .357 Magnum cartridges. As noted in the factory letter, the original test fire target numbered to the gun and dated “11-11-36” is also included. The revolver is
fitted with a King ramp reflector red post front sight and a white outlined adjustable rear sight
along with an extra square notch rear sight leaf. Standard S&W markings with “REG. 1632” marked on inside of frame. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, and ejector shroud. The period correct S&W factory box contains two bore brushes, knurled handle screwdriver, Frank Pachmayr grip adapter, “Caution” leaflet, and period .357 Magnum advertisement.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus bright original high polish blue finish with an extremely faint cylinder drag line and limited handling marks. 98% plus original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. The box is fine. An excellent S&W .357 Registered Magnum revolver documented to the original owner.
Estimate: 6,000 - 8,500
LOT 3580
Extremely Early Production Two Digit
Serial Number Smith &
Wesson .44 Hand Ejector First Model Triple Lock Double
Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 31, 44 S&W special
cal., 6 1/2 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Offered here is serial number 31, an extremely early production example of Smith & Wesson’s highly desirable .44 Hand Ejector First Model Triple Lock Revolver. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on March 2, 1909 to J.A. Johnson Co. of
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania with a blue finish, 7 1/2 inch barrel (likely a recording error as the 6 1/2 inch barrel is numbered to the
gun), forged round blade front sight, fixed rear sights, and checkered diamond square butt walnut stocks. In the letter S&W historian Roy Jinks went on to state, “It was part of a small order for this retailer.” Jinks has said of this model, “This group of N frame revolvers is probably the most important group of revolvers produced as it defines the future generations of all N frame handguns. Today this style is recognized the world over as the
greatest Smith & Wesson revolver ever manufactured.” No. 31 represents the early beginning to this chapter in S&W design. The early two digit serial number “31”
appears on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, and barrel.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 85% original blue finish with patches of smooth brown patina visible on the balance and thinning on the back strap. 98% original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are also very fine with some minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. This very early production Triple Lock revolver is a must have for the serious S&W collector.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
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