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Collector’s Fact
According to "The Blue Book of Gun Values", only 869 Smith & Wesson Registered Magnums revolvers were produced with a 5 inch barrel.
LOT 3281
Well-Documented, Identified Montana Sheriff Shipped Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum Double Action Revolver with 5 Inch Barrel, Box, Registration Certificate and Factory Letter - Serial no. 58153, 357 magnum cal., 5 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. From 1935 to 1939 some 5,400 Registered Magnums were manufactured by S&W and were virtually a custom made handgun. The .357 Magnum was the most powerful handgun cartridge at the time, and this “state of the art” handgun quickly gained popularity with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, looking for a sidearm to deliver more stopping power and popularized big game handgun hunting. Simply put, these Registered Magnums forged the legacy of the .357 Magnum cartridge. Offered here is a highly sought after Registered Magnum that made it into the hands of a lawman and is one of only 869 Registered Magnums manufactured with a 5 inch barrel. As confirmed in the accompanying factory letter, the revolver was shipped on March 28, 1939 and delivered to Pondera County Sheriff’s Office, Conrad, Montana, care of D.S. Welker
with a rare 5 inch barrel, McGivern front sight, deep “U” notch
rear sight, blue finish, checkered walnut grips, and grip adapter (pad has hardened). The specifications as well as D.S. Welker of Conrad, Montana, as the recipient is also confirmed in the included original S&W factory registration certificate. The original certificate shipping tube addressed to D.S. Welker is also included. D.S. Welker was sworn in as sheriff of Pondera County in January 1940, just under a year after this Registered Magnum was shipped to him. Additional S&W documents pertaining to the procurement of the revolver: the March 2, 1939, dated S&W Registered Magnum order
form signed by D.S. Welker, the March 7, 1939, dated W.S. Darley
& Co. retailer order addressed to S&W requesting a Registered Magnum and a “S&W Super Police” with instructions to ship
both revolvers to the Pondera County Sheriff’s Office, additional correspondence between W.S. Darley & Co. and S&W addressing changes to the order, and S&W invoice indicating delivery to D. Welker, Pondera County Sheriff’s Office, Conrad, Montana. This
law enforcement shipped Registered Magnum has standard S&W factory markings, “REG. 4597” stamped on the inside of the frame, McGivern front and “U” notch adjustable rear sights, cockeye hammer, and checkered S&W medallion walnut grips. The right grip panel is numbered to another gun. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, and ejector shroud. Matching assembly numbers are found on the inside of the frame and crane. Includes an original S&W .357 Magnum Revolver factory box with matching serial number and registration number.
CONDITION: Fine displaying all the characteristics of spending a lifetime in the line of duty, retaining 80% original blue finish with holster wear and grip straps worn gray from spending decades in the hand. The replacement grips are also fine with some minor handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good. An appealing 5 inch S&W .357 Registered Magnum Revolver carried by an identified Montana sheriff with authentic wear and tear. A great addition to any law enforcement collection.
Provenance: The Gary Garbrecht Collection; The Ray Cheely Collection; The Dave Ballantyne Collection.
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
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