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LOT 582
Well-Documented Douglas
B. Wesson Factory Big
Game Hunt Presentation Inscribed Smith & Wesson
.357 Registered Magnum Double Action Revolver with
Extremely Scarce 7 Inch Barrel and Factory Letter - Serial
no. 57532, 357 magnum cal., 7 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish,
walnut grips. This very desirable Registered Magnum, number
4313, has an extremely scarce original 7 inch barrel. According
to S&W historian Roy Jinks, only 72 Registered Magnums had 7 inch barrels.
Included are two factory letters confirming the 7 inch barrel, McGivern gold
bead front sight, deep “U” notch rear sight, blue finish, checkered select walnut
Magna stocks and factory engraved inscription acknowledging presentation from
Douglas Wesson to his guide on a bear hunt in Crazy Bear Canyon, British Columbia,
on the side plate. The revolver was shipped to then S&W Vice President of Sales Douglas
B. Wesson, Springfield, MA. In the factory letter S&W historian Roy Jinks speculated that the revolver was a Christmas present in 1938. Other documents (copies) include the S&W order form for the revolver filled out and signed by Douglas Wesson, the S&W invoice indicating the revolver was charged to Douglas Wesson, the S&W requisition for the engraving and a short period article from The Philadelphia Inquirer detailing Douglas Wesson’s grizzly bear hunt in Crazy Bear Canyon, British Columbia, in October 1938 when he brought down a grizzly measuring 7 1/2 feet as well as a bull moose with a Registered Magnum. Douglas Wesson conducted extensive and highly publicized big game handgun hunts of moose, elk, grizzly and antelope in the 1930s as part
of a grand marketing strategy that helped popularize big game handgun hunting and forged the legacy of the .357 Magnum cartridge. The initials “HB” in the presentation inscription are for Wesson’s Danish guide Hulger Bidstrup. The inside of the frame is marked “REG. 4313.” Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, right grip panel, 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 letters, which are addressed to him.
CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% original blue finish with some scattered high edge wear, a few patches of light spotting, minor handling marks and a cylinder drag line. Nearly all original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The grips are fine with a surface chip near the bottom (left panel), some minor handling marks and crisp checkering overall. Mechanically excellent. A documented Douglas Wesson factory big game hunt presentation inscribed .357 Registered Magnum that is a must have for the serious S&W collector.
Provenance: The Hank Williams Jr.’s Collection.
Estimate: 9,000 - 14,000
Douglas Wesson
Collector’s Fact
According to Smith & Wesson Historian Roy Jinks, only 72 Smith & Wesson Registered Magnums were produced with a 7 inch barrel.
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