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LOT 1543
Identified and Inscribed Smith & Wesson .357
Registered Magnum Double Action Revolver with
Registration Certificate and Original Box - Serial no.
56469, 357 Magnum cal., 8 3/4 inch solid rib bbl., blue
finish, walnut grips. Only around 5,500 Registered Magnums
were made in total between 1935 and 1939, with only 677
of them being produced with the long, 8 3/4 inch barrel
according to the article “Registered .357 Magnums” by Roy
Jinks in the 2010 Smith & Wesson Collectors Journal Vol. 4
No. 2. These revolvers were top-of-the-line when they were
released and were the first production revolver to chamber
the powerful .357 magnum cartridge. The Registered
Magnums 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 model. Due to the short production
run and low numbers made, these revolvers have
remained incredibly desirable on the collectors market. The
accompanying registration certificate for this revolver (reg.
no. 4007) indicates it was registered to Edwin Kerkman of
Burlington, Wisconsin. The registration certificate confirms
the 8 3/4 inch barrel, King red bead reflector front sight,
and King no. 111 rear sight (white outlined “U” notch sight).
Kerkman’s initials “E.W.K.” are handsomely engraved on the
rear sight base. Period newspapers record Edwin Kerkman
of Burlington employed as a salesman at a Studebaker
dealership in the 1930s. His 18 year old cousin, Celia
Kerkman, was one of four people, including a 14 month old
baby, killed by disgruntled farmhand Frank Gray. He was a
World War II veteran who served 3 1/2 years with the First
Cavalry Division in the Pacific Theater and was awarded
the Purple Heart. The right grip panel is numbered to a
different gun, otherwise matching serial numbers appear
on the butt, cylinder, and ejector shroud. Comes with the
original S&W box featuring the matching serial number and
registration number on the bottom, two bore brushes, and
an extra “U” notch rear sight.
CONDITION: Excellent overall, retaining 98% plus bright
original high polish blue finish with a light cylinder drag
line, a slight blemish on right side of frame and minimal
handling wear. The replacement grips are very good with
a chip at the top (right panel), dings, and mostly distinct
checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is very fine.
An excellent identified and personalized Smith & Wesson
.357 Registered Magnum revolver that will bring added
dimension to any collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
According to the article "Registered .357
Magnums" by Roy Jinks in the 2010 Smith
& Wesson Collectors Journal, only 677 Smith
& Wesson Registered Magnum revolvers were
produced with an 8 3/4 inch barrel.
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