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LOT 1524
Excellent Colorado Shipped, Wyoming Registered Smith &
Wesson .357 Registered Magnum Double Action Revolver with
Box, Registration Certificate, and Factory Letter - Serial no. 58760,
357 Magnum cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips.
Manufactured in 1939, this is an excellent example of the iconic Smith
& Wesson “Registered Magnum” that was shipped to Denver, Colorado.
These revolvers were the first production revolver chambered in the new
and very powerful .357 Magnum cartridge and thus, were very popular
among law enforcement of the time, who valued any edge they could
give themselves should a gunfight occur. These revolvers were custom
built and hand fitted to special ordered specifications, whether from a
retailer or an individual customer, and were then individually registered
to the owner by the vice president of the company, D.B. Wesson. Due to
this extensive level of customization and craftsmanship, the revolvers
were expensive to make, leading to the certificate and registration
numbering being discontinued in 1939-1940. The included factory letter
lists this revolver, Reg. # 4800, with a 6 1/2 inch barrel, Call gold bead
front sight, and that it was sighted at 25 yards with a 6 o’clock hold. It lists
that it was shipped to Gart Brothers in Denver, Colorado on 6 June 1939.
The included Registration Certificate lists the same configuration as the
factory letter, as well as a square notch rear sight, 3 1/2 lb. single action
trigger pull, 10 lb. double action trigger pull, and the registered owner
as John E. Pax of Cheyenne, Wyoming. The left side of the barrel has
the Smith & Wesson marking, while the caliber marking is on the right.
The right side of the frame has the trademark and “MADE IN U.S.A.” The
matching serial number is on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, inside
the ejector rod shroud, and stamped inside the right grip panel. The
registration number is in the crane, and the matching assembly number
is on the frame and crane. The top of the barrel and top of the frame are
matted with the standard fine checkering. It is fitted with the Call gold
beaded blade front sight, adjustable notch rear sight, standard grooved
hammer, and a pair of checkered walnut grips with “S&W” monogram
medallions. Includes the original factory blue and gold ‘picture’ box,
numbered on the bottom with both the serial and registration numbers.
CONDITION: Excellent, retains 98% of the original blue finish and 90%
plus of the vibrant original case colors on the hammer and trigger with
some light muzzle/edge wear, a few scattered light handling marks, and
a faint cylinder turn line. The grips are also excellent with a few light
handling marks and crisp checkering. The box is very good with minor
wear. Mechanically excellent. An excellent example of a western shipped
Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum with the original certificate and box!
Provenance: John E. Pax; The Michael Priwer Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 10,000
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