Page 296 - Auction84-Book1

LOT 497
Excellent Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum Double Action Revolver with Box - Serial no. 55864, 357 magnum cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. This is one of 1,518 Registered Magnums manufactured with a 6 1/2 inch barrel. It features a pinned blade front sight, adjustable square notch rear sight, “REG. 3472” stamped on the inside of the frame, checkered walnut Magna grips with S&W medallions, and matching serial numbers on the butt, right grip panel, cylinder, and ejector shroud. The correct original box is numbered to the gun and has the matching registered number. With S&W caution leaflet, two bore brushes, original knurled screwdriver, extra rear sight blade, and cleaning rod. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus original blue finish with a light cylinder
drag line and a few minor handling marks. Nearly all original case colors remain on
the hammer and trigger. The grips are also excellent with very limited handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically sound action functions properly. The box is fine with minor wear. Estimate: 8,000 - 11,000
Collector’s Fact
Only 1,518 Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum revolvers were produced with a
6 1/2 inch barrel.
LOT 498
Rare Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector 3rd Model Post-War Transitional Double Action Revolver with Scarce 6 1/2 Barrel and Factory Letter - Serial no. S71968, 44 S&W special cal., 6 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. Also known as the 1926 Model .44 Target, the .44 Hand Ejector 3rd Model (Postwar-Transitional) Target revolvers were manufactured from 1946 to 1949 with only 50-75 units reported to have been produced. Matching serial numbers on the butt, cylinder and ejector shroud.
The accompanying factory letter confirms the 6 1/2 inch barrel, Patridge front sight, adjustable rear sight, blue finish and checkered walnut Magna grips. This rare example was shipped on March 21, 1947 and delivered to Lou Eppinger Co., Detroit, MI. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 97% original blue finish with some muzzle and high edge wear and cylinder drag line. Nearly all original case colors remain on the hammer and trigger. The slightly undersized replacement grips are fine with a few blemishes in the checkering. Mechanically excellent. One of the rarest post-war S&W target models. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,000
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Collector’s Fact
One of approximately 75 or fewer Smith & Wesson 1926 Model .44 Target revolvers were manufactured.