The accompanying factory letter states this revolver as shipped on May 22, 1939 and delivered to Peden Iron & Steel Co. of Houston, Texas, with a 4 1/2 inch barrel, Patridge front sight, square notch rear sight, blue finish and checkered walnut Magna grips. The registration number for this revolver is 4781, and it is one of only 108 Registered Magnums manufactured with a 4 1/2 inch barrel. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, and ejector shroud. Comes with the original S&W factory box with matching serial number and registration number and two bore brushes. 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. Provenance: The Dave Ballantyne Collection

Excellent, retaining 99% plus original blue finish with a light cylinder drag line and limited handling marks. Nearly all original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grip is also excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine. A rare and desirable Houston, Texas, shipped 4 1/2 inch S&W .357 Registered Magnum revolver that will be near impossible to improve upon.