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LOT 1526
Desirable Border
Patrol Shipped Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum Double Action
Revolver with Rare 8 3/8 Inch Barrel and Factory Letter - Serial no. 58223,
357 Magnum cal., 8 3/8 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1939, this is an excellent
example of the iconic Registered Magnum from Smith & Wesson that was fitted with the extremely scarce 8 3/8
inch barrel and shipped to the U. S. Border Patrol. These revolvers were top-of-the-line when they were released
and were the first production revolver to chamber the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge. Only around 5,500 Registered
Magnums were made in total between 1935 and 1939, and knowledgeable collectors believe that only approximately 32 to 37 of
those were fitted with an 8 3/8 inch barrel like this example. The Registered Magnum’s were registered to the owner by Douglas
Wesson himself, with each one being custom built to the customer’s specifications and precisely hand fitted and tuned, all of which
led to high production costs and the eventual discontinuation of the certificate and registration process in 1939-1940. Due to the short
production run and low numbers made, these revolvers have remained incredibly desirable on the collectors market. The included factory letter with
this example, having the unique and interesting Reg. # 4444, lists it with an 8 3/8 inch barrel, Patridge front sight, square notch rear sight, hump back hammer, blue
finish, checkered walnut Magna grips, and sighted in at 25 yards using a 6 o’clock hold. It is noted that this revolver shipped to Phillip C. Hazen of the United States
Immigrations Border Patrol in Massena, New York on 14 February 1939. Due to their high quality and custom specifications, these Registered Magnums were highly
valued among law enforcement, and they are regularly seen to have shipped to lawmen. A previous sale of this revolver in 2006 notes that this revolver was slated to be featured on the
cover of the 3rd Edition of “Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” by Supica and Nahas, but that apparently did not happen. The revolver has the standard Smith & Wesson and caliber markings on the
barrel, while the right of the frame has the trademark and “MADE IN U.S.A.” The patent date is marked on the rear face of the hammer and trigger. The Registration #
“4444” is marked in the crane. The serial number is marked on the butt, inside the ejector rod housing, and on the rear face of the cylinder. The matching assembly
number is on the frame and crane. The inside of the right grip panel is stamped “58100”. It is fitted with a period replacement, King red bead blade front sight
with mirror reflector, an adjustable notch rear sight, a “hump back” hammer, and period replaced checkered walnut Magna grips
with “S&W” monogram medallions.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 95% plus of the original blue finish and 80% plus of the original case colors on the hammer and trigger with some light
muzzle/edge wear, some scattered light handling marks, and a cylinder turn line. The grips are very fine with a short hairline crack near the bottom edge of the
left panel, a few scattered light handling marks, and crisp checkering.
Provenance: Phillip C. Hazen, U. S. Immigration Border Patrol; The Michael Priwer Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,000
LOT 1525
Attractive Factory
Engraved and Inscribed
Smith & Wesson .38 Military
& Police Target Fourth Change “Model of 1905” Double
Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 393815, 38 Special cal., 6 inch round bbl.,
blue finish, walnut grips. Manufactured in 1921, this is a very attractive example of a documented
factory engraved and inscribed Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police Target Model revolver
presented by D. B. Wesson to his friend and, when Wesson was hunting in Maine, his personal
licensed hunting guide, Ira McKay. The included factory letter lists the revolver with a 6 inch barrel, Marble front
sight and matching rear sight, and engraved with “Ira D. McKay, Oakland, ME” (“Oakland” being a factory notation error) as well
as partial coverage floral scroll engraving on the frame, cylinder, and barrel. Roy Jinks goes on to state that it is his opinion that
the engraving was executed by Goodrich, who at the time was employed by Smith & Wesson as an engraver. The letter also states
that the revolver was delivered to D.B. Wesson on 6 December 1921, indicating that this was likely a personal presentation revolver requested by Mr.
Wesson. The revolver shows around 75% coverage, beautifully executed factory floral scroll engraving. The left side of the frame is inscribed “Ira D. McKay/Ashland, ME.” The top of the
barrel is marked with the standard two-line address and patent dates with the Smith & Wesson marking on the left and the caliber marking on the right. The trademark is on the frame
near the inscription on the left. The matching serial number is on the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and bottom of the barrel. The matching assembly number is on the frame and crane. The inside of the right
panel of the period replacement grips is hand numbered “562265” in pencil. It is fitted with a pinned Marble beaded blade front sight, an adjustable notch rear sight, and a pair of checkered walnut grips.
There are multiple mentions of Ira D. McKay in Maine newspapers from the early 1900s, most mentioning his association with the Forestry Service as a fire watchman.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 90% plus of the original blue finish with some light thinning at the muzzle and on some edges showing a grey patina, a cylinder
turn line, and crisp engraving throughout. The grips are excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A very
attractive, factory engraved and inscribed, D.B. Wesson presentation Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police Target revolver!
Provenance: The Michael Priwer Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 7,000
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