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LOT 578
Exceptional Smith & Wesson Non-Registered .357 Magnum Double Action Revolver - Serial no. 61651,
357 magnum cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The non-registered .357
revolvers are much more rare than their Registered Magnum model counterparts with only about 1,400
manufactured compared to about 5,400 Registered Magnums. King mirror base front sight with red post
insert, adjustable square notch rear sight, humpback hammer, right grip panel numbered to a different
gun, and matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder and ejector shroud. Confirmed by the S&W Historian’s Office
as being originally shipped with a 6 inch barrel on July 29, 1940 to the W.H. Hoegee Co. in Los Angeles, CA. This ultra
rare and desirable prewar S&W .357 Magnum is from the collection of famous American country singer and song writer Hank Williams Jr. and includes a certificate of authenticity confirming his ownership.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus original blue finish with some scattered minor handling marks and a cylinder drag line. Nearly all original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are also excellent with very minimal handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Hank Williams Jr.’s Collection.
Estimate: 7,000 - 9,000
382
LOT 579
Excellent Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum
Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 48312, 357 magnum
cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. The accompanying factory letter confirms the 6 1/2 inch barrel, blue finish, Patridge front sight, and square notch rear sight. This early production Registered Magnum originally shipped on
May 6, 1936, with a grip adaptor attached, to Lou J. Eppinger Inc., a large S&W distributor in Detroit, Michigan. Standard S&W markings with “REG. 1014” stamped on the inside of the frame.
The right grip panel is numbered to a different gun (“62048”). Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder and ejector shroud. This revolver is from the collection of world famous American
country singer and song writer Hank Williams Jr. and includes a certificate of authenticity confirming his
ownership as well as the aforementioned factory letter, which is addressed to him.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% plus original blue finish with a cylinder drag line, tiny corrosion patch above the S&W barrel marking and touch up over a blemish on the back strap. Nearly all original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are fine with a couple tiny surface chips near the top and some wear along the top of the checkering. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Hank Williams Jr.’s Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 8,500