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"This revolver is a very important handgun in the history of the .357 series. It was one of the very first .357 series. It was one of the very first .357 Magnums produced for test and evaluation..."
- Smith & Wesson historian Roy Jinks, from the included factory letter
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Isabel had owned the gun since around 1980, purchasing it from a gun shop
in Orlando. The revolver went on to be owned by Ray Cheely before making its way into the hands of our consignor, Dave Ballantyne. At the NRA Annual Meetings
in 2011, this pre-production S&W .357 Magnum revolver was awarded the coveted “10 Best” Silver Medal Arms Award, “one
of a maximum of ten certificates awarded each year to arms of outstanding historical value, or beauty, or rarity, selected from displays of the NRA’s Affiliated Gun Collector Organizations.”The silver medal was No. 498, and the medal is included along
with its original case as well as the Silver Certificate of Recognition.
CONDITION: Very fine overall retaining 99% plus of the S&W factory reapplied blue finish with a faint cylinder drag line, some scattered light pitting under the finish on
the cylinder, a few minor handling marks, and crisp grip checkering. Case is excellent. Mechanically excellent. This unique and very historically significant S&W handgun played a pivotal role in popularizing the .357 Magnum with law enforcement. It is
a testament to those like previous owner FBI Special Agent T. Frank Baughman who, through their handwork and perseverance, made the .357 Magnum a success. Provenance: FBI Agent T. Frank Baughman; Bonnie Baughman;
Orange County Deputy Sheriff E.L. Carroll, The George Cherewil Collection; The Ted Bland Collection; The Phil Isabel Collection; The Bill Douglas Collection; The Gary Garbrecht Collection;
The Ray Cheely Collection;
The Dave Ballantyne Collection;
2011 NRA Silver Medal Award Winner. Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000