2426 EARLY, DOCUMENTED S&W .357 REGISTERED MAGNUM REVOLVER.

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,750.00 USD
Estimated at 3,500.00 - 4,500.00 USD
Cal. 357 Mag. S# 47707 (Reg. # 824). Bbl. 6" with McGivern brass bead. One of seven identical revolvers shipped to Union Hardware & Metal Co. of Lynwood, CA, on Feb. 27, 1936. Early blued prewar example with logo on left side of frame. Matching numbered barrel, cylinder, and extractor. Assembly numbered 4851, plus registration number 824. This model is the first of the Magnum revolvers that was influenced by Elmer Keith; the first example was given to J. Edgar Hoover (Reg. # 1) and was popular with other famous persons, such as General Patton (Reg. # 506). Offered in many barrel lengths and with various features, each almost a custom build from S&W. Only 5224 Magnums were "registered" in 1935–1939, evolving into the Model 27 of the present. Hidden special feature is a spring-loaded detent to assist in keeping the cylinder fully open for loading and ejecting. Proper diamond center checkered Magna grips (unreadable penciled non-matching number) with early in the white machined locating disks that are not patent marked. Case-colored. 265" grooved trigger and standard checkered hammer. Finely checkered top strap and barrel rib. Smooth-finished pre Micrometer adjustable sight has a deep U-notch sighted for 25 yards using Magnum ammo with a 6 o'clock hold. Both grip straps are grooved, a deluxe added feature for the model, as other S&W revolvers were plain. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a July 17, 2017 S&W research letter signed by historian Roy Jinks supporting the above information, along with a copy of the original invoice showing Reg. # 824 dated Feb. 13, 1936. CONDITION: very good appearance of factory quality refinish with signs of use and small areas of finish loss to include at muzzle, cylinder turn line, high point wear, light spotty appearance to cylinder plus faint scratches (mostly on side plate). Very good to excellent case colors. Both grips have a near-excellent appearance. Near-excellent bore, chambers, and timing. PROVENANCE: from the Estate of Jon Thomas. (23-1623/NW). CURIO. $3,500-4,500.