The accompanying factory letter lists this revolver with an 8 3/4 inch barrel, 1/10 inch King red post front sight, square notch rear sight, "M.J. Shearer" inlaid in gold on the side plate, blue finish and checkered walnut Magna grips when shipped on February 3, 1936, and delivered to Harry Snyder of Chicago, Illinois. This shipment was for two revolvers, and the second revolver (serial number 47302, registered number 742) was identical to the one offered here but with a gold inlaid signature of Harry Snyder. The whereabouts of the second revolver has remained unknown for decades. The letter further states R.J. Kornbrath of Hartford, CT did the engraving and inlaid the signature in gold with a finish date of January 28, 1936 and a charge of $15.00. Other included documents from the S&W Historical Foundation (photocopies) are the S&W order form listing the barrel length, sights, "M.J. Sherer" signature and Harry Snyder as the recipient, S&W invoice addressed to Harry Snyder and listing the aforementioned features, R.J. Kornbrath letter of response to S&W's request for inlaying the aforementioned signatures and various correspondence between S&W Vice President D.B. Wesson and Herbert Stier of Harry Snyder's office discussing the specifications for the revolvers. Letters between Wesson and Stier discuss in great detail the desire for extra long checkered grips featuring a "reverse square 'S'" inlaid in gold on both sides and a drawing of the grip design is included. However, S&W was unable to fulfill the client's wishes, thus the fancy stocks were made elsewhere and the maker's identity is unknown. However, the stocks on this revolver do match the design and drawing that was mentioned in the original request. The revolver also has standard S&W markings with "REG. 741" stamped on the side of the frame and matching serial numbers are found on the butt, cylinder, and ejector shroud. It is one of only 735 Registered Magnums manufactured with an 8 3/4 inch barrel. Comes with a correct period Registered Magnum box. At the time of this writing, "M.J. Shearer" remained unidentified. Chicago businessman Harry Snyder (1892-1972) started Snyder & Hay, a company that specialized in corporate reorganization and income tax issues, in 1920. From 1936 to 1939 he financed the expansion of the Eldorado radium mine on Great Bear Lake but was removed from the board of directors once it was discovered that he did not own any Eldorado stock. He also started the first North American radium refinery. Located at Port Hope, the refinery provided uranium used in the Manhattan Project for the development of the atomic bomb. He was a big game hunter who published the book "Snyder's Book of Big Game Hunting" in 1950 and made several hunting excursions including funding and leading an American museum expedition into Glacier Lake in 1937. Snyder maintained a ranch called the "Bar 75" near Sundre, Alberta, but unfortunately it burned to the ground, taking with it a massive game trophy collection and rare collection of books and paintings by noted wildlife artists.

Excellent, retaining 97% original blue finish showing holster type wear on the barrel, some high edge wear, handling and shooting evidence and a light cylinder drag line. Some dents are present, particularly on the rib. Near all original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are very good with old repairs near the bottom, a few hairline cracks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The worn box is good.