This particular Registered Magnum (reg. no. 2303) is one of 1,518 manufactured with a 6 1/2 inch barrel. The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on June 1, 1937 and delivered to Judge James Emmert, 16th Judicial Circuit, Shellyville, Indiana, with a 6 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish Patridge 1/10 inch front sight, and square notch rear sight. The right grip panel is numbered to another gun and is hand marked "S. Stiles/Shoals, Ind" on the inside. Matching serial numbers are on the butt, cylinder, and ejector shroud. Included are several documents related to the purchase and delivery of the revolver. In a March 29, 1937 dated letter addressed to S&W on 16th Judicial Circuit letterhead, Judge Emmert requested from S&W "all the dope you have on [the .357 Magnum revolver]." S&W's response is included as well as Judge Emmert's second letter to S&W thanking the company for "the special price of $48.00 including tax" offer for a brand new .357 Magnum revolver. Additional included correspondence indicated that Judge Emmert did not like the original front sight. The judge explained: "The front sight will have to be raised if I am to get all out of the gun that I can." The revolver was returned to the S&W factory where it was fitted with a new sight. Judge Emmert was satisfied with the new sight and stated in his last letter to S&W, "I wish to thank you very much for the new front sight for my .357 Magnum, and for the return of the old sight also. The new one is just right for .38 full charge wad cutters at 25 yards." The S&W order form and invoice for Judge Emmert's original order are also included. At the age of 33, James A. Emmert (1895-1974) was elected judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of Indiana. "It was an unusual honor for a man of his years," stated one local observer, "but one fitly bestowed upon a record as a very thorough and painstaking lawyer, and the confidence of the people has been fully justified in the administration he had given of the difficult duties of this office." In 1940, he made a failed bid for the Republican party nomination for Governor of Indiana. Two years later he was elected Attorney General of Indiana and served two terms. In 1946, he was elected to the Indiana Supreme Court and reelected in 1952, and during his final year on the bench he served as Chief Justice. Provenance: The Gary Garbrecht Collection; The Dave Ballantyne Collection

Excellent, retaining 97% original blue finish with some minor muzzle wear, a cylinder drag line and scattered handling marks. 99% plus original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The left grip panel has a small chip and repair along the front edge near the top, otherwise the grips are fine with a few handling marks and overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.