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 by 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. This example is one of 144 manufactured with a nickel finish and has the shortest available factory barrel length (3 1/2 inches). This particular Registered Magnum, number 4824, features a Call gold bead front sight, square notch rear sight, Magna stocks and standard S&W factory markings with "REG. 4824" stamped on the inside of the yoke. Matching serial numbers are found stamped in the ejector shroud, rear cylinder face, butt and right grip panel. The assembly number "43253" is stamped on the yoke and crane. The accompanying factory letter confirms registration number, barrel length, sights, finish and stocks. It was shipped to The Sutcliffe Co. of Louisville, Kentucky, on 21 June 1939. This was a single gun order. The S&W factory Type II box has the illustration of the Magnum fitted with Magna grips. The box retains the small white label on the bottom that has the correct serial number and registration number ("58891/R-4824"). Provenance: Chad Gripp collection.

Excellent. The revolver retains 98% plus original nickel finish with a few spots of minor flaking and a light drag line on the cylinder. The hammer and trigger retain 99% plus original case colors. The grips are also excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. The box is fine with some minor edge wear and retaining most of the illustration. The top of the lid has a handwritten notation in pencil. An extremely rare nickel plated example of a S&W .357 Registered Magnum revolver that would add value to even the most advanced pre-war S&W collections.