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. The accompanying factory letter states that this Registered Magnum (reg. no. 2249) was shipped on May 27, 1937 and delivered to Reams Hardware Co. of Middlesboro, Kentucky, with a 5 inch barrel, a King 1/16 inch gold bead front sight, "U" notch rear sight, nickel finish, and checkered walnut Magna grips. Only 869 Registered Magnums were manufactured with a 5 inch barrel and only 144 Registered Magnums left the factory with a nickel finish. This example returned to the S&W factory to be refinished. The grip frame is marked with the S&W factory return date for August 1975 ("8 75") and has the boxed factory nickel refinish "R-N" marking. The S&W rework star is stamped on the rear of the cylinder. The right grip panel is numbered to a different gun. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, ejector rod shroud, and cylinder. Includes a proper period S&W box. Provenance: The Michael Kerwood Collection

Very fine, retaining 99% plus of the S&W factory refinished nickel plating with minimal handling marks and light cylinder drag line. The revarnished grips are fine with some minor handling marks and softened checkering. The faded box is very good with some staining and edge wear. Mechanically excellent.