Page 272 - Auction84-Book2

Historic Documented Pre-World War II Smith & Wesson Non-Registered Magnum Revolver Shipped to the Kansas City Police
Important Historic Note
Approximately only 1,400 Smith & Wesson Non-Registered Magnum revolvers were produced, compared to about 5,400 Registered Magnum revolvers.
Collector’s Fact
One of only twenty six units in this shipment to the Kansas City Police Commissioner, of which only two were manufactured with a 3 1/2 inch barrel.
Scarce Pre-World War II Kansas City Police Shipped Smith & Wesson Non-Registered .357 Magnum Double Action Revolver with Factory Letter - Serial no. 61632, 357 magnum cal., 3 1/2 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, walnut grips. 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. CONDITION: 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!. Provenance: The Ray Cheely Collection; The Roy Ferguson Collection; The Chad Gripp Collection; The Doug Ellison Collection. Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000
LOT 1526
Police Chief Lear B. Reed
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