This particular Registered Magnum, number 2960, once belonged to famed Hollywood actor Gary Cooper. During a career that spanned 35 years, Gary Cooper appeared in 84 feature films as the leading man and received an Academy Award for best actor for the films "Sergeant York" and "High Noon." Often considered Cooper's greatest performance, "High Noon" was recognized in 2008 by the American Film Institute (AFI) as the second greatest American Western film made of all time. Cooper's screen persona represented the ideal American hero, the tall, slender man of action who possessed incorruptible integrity. Three of his heroic characters (Will Kane, Lou Gehrig and Sergeant York) appeared on the AFI's list of 100 greatest heroes and villains. In AFI's list of 25 leading male stars of classic Hollywood, Cooper ranked eleventh. "Thought of Gary Cooper conjures a great era of the movies when they were part of a national unity that now somehow eludes us," reflected Cooper's biographer Larry Swindell. Cooper died in 1960, a few weeks after receiving an Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievement. Several included documents link this revolver to Gary Cooper’s personal collection. The first is an April 1962 dated letter on Kerr's of Beverly Hills letterhead "stars." Signed by then Kerr's store manager Gerald Knight, the typewritten letter states that the revolver, which is listed by serial number and barrel length, "was purchased from the estate of the late actor Gary Cooper and was his own personal weapon." In a 1983 letter, Knight reaffirms the content of the April 1962 letter: "The letter on Kerr Stationery under date of April 10th, 1962 and signed by me is true and correct in every detail." Provenance is also validated by a typewritten inventory of guns from the Cooper estate. These 26 guns were delivered to Kerr's on March 27, 1962. Number 17 is this revolver, which is listed by serial number. According to Edward Cornett, in an August 2007 dated email and a July 2006-dated Smith & Wesson Forum post, Ken Craig bought the revolver with the included holster from Kerr's in 1962, and the stocks and holster had been custom made for Cooper. Cornett stated that the holster, while not marked, was the workmanship of famed Hollywood quick draw coach to the stars, including Cooper, and holster designer, Arvo Ojala. The leather holster is hand inscribed "COOPER" on the back. A .45 Colt bullet key ring marked "ARVO OJALA/*HOLLYWOOD*" is also with the gun. The accompanying factory letter confirms the registration number, 4 1/2 inch barrel, McGivern front sight and deep "U" notch rear sight. When it was shipped on September 20, 1937 to the W.H. Hoegee Co., Los Angeles, California, the revolver was sighted at 50 yards and had Magna stocks. Currently the revolver is fitted with non-medallion checkered target stocks which were put on the gun by Gary Cooper. The revolver has standard S&W factory markings with "REG. 2960" stamped on the inside of the yoke. Matching serial numbers are found stamped in the ejector shroud, rear cylinder face and butt. The assembly number "11618" is stamped on the yoke and crane. This is one of only 108 Registered Magnums manufactured with a 4 1/2 inch barrel. Gary Cooper memorabilia with this lot includes Larry Swindell's "The Last Hero: A Biography of Gary Cooper," six 8x10 inch movie/actor promotional stills, two 8x10 inch portrait illustrations, "Screen Greats Series No. 6: Gary Cooper" magazine and 7 October 1940 edition "Life" magazine which displays Cooper on the cover. Provenance: Chad Gripp collection.

Excellent plus. The revolver retains over 99% original blue finish showing slight loss at the muzzle and a cylinder drag line. 99% plus original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are excellent with a couple of blemishes in the overall crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The holster is fine with some minor handling marks and tight stitching. An extremely well-documented S&W Registered Magnum revolver that belonged to one of America's most beloved golden age of Hollywood actors, Gary Cooper. An investment grade collector's piece that transcends the firearm fraternity.