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LOT 1495
Exceptional
Well-
Documented
Smith & Wesson
.357 Registered Magnum Double Action
Revolver with Extremely Scarce Tall Sights,
Factory Letter and Box - Serial no. 51089,
357 magnum cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The first production firearms chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge, the Registered Magnum set a new standard in firepower and accuracy. Each Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum was built to the specifications of the buyer, then registered by number to the owner by Douglas Wesson himself, the then Vice President of Smith & Wesson. This particular Registered Magnum, number 2041, features non-standard tall sights. These sights, which are documented in the included factory letter, are a Call gold
NOTICE THE DOCUMENTED SPECIAL ORDER TALL SIGHTS, WHICH ARE 1/8 INCHES TALLER THAN STANDARD SIGHTS; THIS REVOLVER IS BELIEVED TO BE THE ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE WITH THIS TYPE OF SIGHT CONFIGURATION
bead 1/8 inches higher than standard and an adjustable square notch
1/8 inches higher than standard. To the best of our knowledge this is the
only known example with this type of sight configuration. The factory
letter also confirms the barrel length, registration number, and Magna
stocks. The revolver was shipped to Kruse Hardware Co. of Cincinnati,
Ohio, for Howland’s Gun Store, Inc. on March 8, 1937. It has standard
S&W markings with “REG. 2041” on the yoke, matching serial numbers
on the butt, cylinder, ejector shroud and right grip panel. The assembly
number “8103” is stamped on the yoke and crane. This is one of only 839
Registered Magnums manufactured with 6 inch barrels. Other documents
(photocopies) related to this revolver include the Howland’s Gun Store, Inc.
specification letter to S&W listing the special sights, the S&W order form listing the special sights, S&W order received notification letter to Kruse Hardware Co., S&W order received notification letter to Howland’s Gun Store, Inc. and invoice listing the special sights. The Type II box carries the illustration of a Magnum fitted with Magna stocks. The box retains the small white label on the bottom that is numbered to a different gun (52872/R-2554”).
CONDITION: Excellent plus. The revolver retains over 99% original blue finish showing a cylinder drag line. 99% plus original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are excellent with extremely limited minor handling marks and sharp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good showing overall wear and much of the illustration remaining. An exceptional example of a .357 Registered Magnum revolver with well-documented special order extra tall sights for the most serious Smith & Wesson collector. A Smith & Wesson Magnum collection cannot be considered complete without this one-of-a-kind revolver!
Provenance: The Ray Cheely Collection The Chad Gripp Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
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Collector’s Fact
Only 839 Smith & Wesson Registered Magnums were produced with a 6 inch barrel.