Lot 1526: Police Smith & Wesson Non-Registered .357 Magnum Revolver

These revolvers are even more rare than their Registered Magnum model counterparts with only about 1,400 manufactured compared about 5,400 Registered Magnums. Production of Registered Magnums was stopped because it was deemed to costly to manufacture the revolvers, which at the time sold for $60. The accompanying factory letter for this Non-Registered Magnum confirms the 3 1/2 inch barrel, finish and checkered walnut Magna grips. The revolver was one of 26 units shipped to the Kansas City, Missouri, Board of Police Commissioners on July 3, 1940. This shipment included 2 revolvers with 3 1/2 inch barrels, 23 revolvers with 4 inch barrels and one revolver with a 6 1/2 inch barrel. This revolver (61632) is consecutively numbered to a 3 1/2 inch barreled revolver (61633) that was obtained for Kansas City Chief of Police L.B. Reed. The revolver has standard S&W factory markings, a King pinned ramp front sight and a square notch adjustable rear sight. Matching serial numbers are found on the butt, ejector shroud, cylinder and right grip panel. The assembly number "45518" is on the yoke and crane. Provenance: The Ray Cheely Collection; The Roy Ferguson Collection; The Chad Gripp Collection; The Doug Ellison Collection

Excellent plus. The revolver retains 98% plus original blue finish showing a cylinder drag line. 99% plus original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are near new with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. A great example of a desirable pre-World War II Non-Registered .357 Magnum revolver shipped to the Kansas City Police Commissioner, one of the most rare S&Ws to be found!.