This Registered Magnum is one of only 735 Registered Magnums manufactured with an 8 3/4 inch barrel. The accompanying registration certificate lists this revolver with an 8 3/8 inch barrel (most likely a recording error as the matching number barrel is 8 3/4 inches), Call gold bead front sight (currently a McGivern bead sight) and square notch rear sight (currently a "U" notch sight) and registered by Lt. Commander H.C. Kellers of Boston, Massachusetts. The incredibly rare original factory shipping carton is addressed to Lt. Commander H.C. Kellers, U.S. Navy Recruiting Station, Boston, MA and has both S&W and Railway Express Agency labels. This writer, who has over 35 years experience with collectable S&Ws, has seen only one other Registered Magnum shipping carton; an extremely hard to find item missing from even the most advanced S&W collections. "REG. 695" stamped on the inside of the frame, and matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder, and ejector shroud. The original box features a white label on the underside with the serial number and registered number and contains a bore brush, knurled screwdriver, original factory dated 10-1-36 test target numbered to the revolver, .357 Magnum advertising foldout brochure and order from, Magna stock flyer and original square notch sight, original Call bead front sight and extra "U" notch sight contained in their original envelopes. U.S. Navy Lt. Commander Henry Carsten Kellers (1874-1954) began his career in the U.S. Navy after he graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina and joined the service as an orderly/hospital steward in 1903. He served as an assistant surgeon during World War I. He received a promotion to lieutenant in the Medical Corps in 1920. During the inter-war era, he participated in the United States Naval Observatory Eclipse Expeditions of 1925, 1927, 1929, and 1930 during which he served as a representative for the Smithsonian Institution and collected over 10,000 zoological specimens, both alive and deceased. Among these were 130 animals from Nicaragua and over 10,000 specimens while in the Philippines alone. Many of the live specimens were housed in the National Zoo. In 1930, he discovered a new genus of sea urchins. The Smithsonian proclaimed: "It is no exaggeration to say that Dr. Kellers' discovery of this interesting creature is one of the most important discoveries that has been made in the well-worked field of shallow water sea-urchins in the past hundred years. The significance is emphasized by the fact that Dr. Kellers discovered not a single species but two quite distinct species." One of these species was named in his honor when it was officially described by Austin H. Clark of the Smithsonian as zenocentrotus kellersi (see "Proceedings of the United States National Museum, Vol. 80," 1932). He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander in 1931 and briefly retired in 1938 before being called back to serve his country again on active duty during World War II from 1939 to 1945. Some of the specimens and a collection of photographs from his expeditions, including the sample of zenocentrotus kellersi, are retained by the Smithsonian.

Excellent, retaining 99% original blue finish with very limited muzzle wear, a light cylinder drag line and minimal handling evidence. 99% plus original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are also excellent with very scattered minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with minor wear. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.