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Collector’s Fact
The rare Smith & Wesson Registered .357 magnum is 1 of only 869 produced with a 5 inch barrel, and 1 of only 144 with a nickel finish.
388
LOT 1586
Extremely Rare Nickel Plated Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum Double Action Revolver with 5 Inch Barrel and Box - Serial no. 58896, 357 magnum cal., 5 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, walnut grips. The Registered Magnum was the first production arm chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge and served as an influence on all later large caliber double actions. Built to customer specifications and registered to the owner Douglas Wesson himself, the 5,400 Registered Magnums made between 1935 and 1939 are virtually custom made revolvers and remain “state of the art” in handgun manufacture today. 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 true rarity in Registered Magnum collecting as it is one of only 869 Registered Magnums manufactured with a 5 inch barrel and is one of only 144 manufactured with a nickel finish. It has standard S&W factory markings with “REG. 4865” stamped on the inside of the frame, a King ramp blade front sight, an adjustable square notch rear sight, humpback hammer, and Magna grips. Matching serial numbers are found on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder and ejector shroud. Matching assembly number “43165” is found on the inside of the frame and crane. Includes a S&W .357 Magnum Revolver factory box (unnumbered). CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% extremely rare original nickel plating with limited light flaking and a cylinder drag line. The right panel has worn checkering and a hairline crack at the top, otherwise the grips are good with minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The box is very good with overall minor wear. An extremely rare nickel plated example of a S&W .357 Registered Magnum revolver that would add value to even the most advanced pre-war S&W collections. Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000