GUN FALL 2017
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2017
EXTREMELY RARE SMITH & WESSON PRE-WWII REGISTERED MAGNUM DA REVOLVER WITH FACTORY LETTER.SMITH & WESSONREGISTERED MAGNUM51383.357 MAGNUMW/BOX, CERTIFICATE, TUBEMODERN; C&RCal. .357 Magnum. Blue finish with scarce 8-3/4" full-ribbed bbl, King illuminated red front sight on a ramp with King Model 112 white outline adjustable rear sight. The entire top rib, rear of front sight face to the ramp and top strap are beautifully checkered. Hammer has fine checkered spur with serrations on each side. Mounted with matching numbered, silver medallion, diamond checkered Magna 2-pc grips. Inside the crane, on the frame, is marked "REG. 2326". Accompanied by an orig, un-numbered blue & gold 2-pc box for this model revolver with a picture of the revolver on the top. Interior is Chinese red with directions for use in both English and Spanish inside the lid. Also accompanied by a Smith & Wesson factory letter over the signature of Roy Jinks, historian for Smith & Wesson wherein he states that this model of revolver was introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1935 and was offered with bbl lengths 3-1/2" to 8-3/4". He states that these revolvers were custom ordered to the individual buyer's specifications and that only 5,500 were ever produced. The letter states that this revolver was shipped May 20, 1937 to the D. W. King Sight Company, San Francisco, CA with 8.75" (8-3/4") bbl with King 1/10 red post on ramp with reflector base sight, King 112 white outline rear sight, blue finish with Magna grips and sighted at 50 yards with dead center hold. Also accompanied by this revolver's orig registration certificate which identifies this revolver, as found, issued to Raymond A. Magnuson, Peoria, IL with 3-1/2# single action trigger pull and 10# double action trigger pull. Additionally accompanied by the orig document shipping tube and label from Smith & Wesson to Mr. Magnuson with a July 22 cancellation of a 3 cent stamp. Also accompanied by an extremely early US Cartridge Co. 50 rnd box of ".357 S. & W." ammunition containing 39 rnds of orig ammo with head stamp only marked "357 S. & W." and the company name with large primers. Box is 2-pc style with a faded red & black label. Registered Magnums are inherently rare, but to find one with complete documentation, a box and early ammo is an extreme rarity. CONDITION: Extremely fine plus, all matching including bbl, cylinder and grips. Overall retains about 99% crisp, glossy orig factory blue with only faint sharp edge wear at the muzzle and a light cylinder line. Trigger and hammer retain strong case colors. Grips are crisp showing no wear or damage. Mechanics are crisp. Brilliant shiny bore, has been fired, likely the 11 rnds missing from the accompanying box. Box is sound showing edge and corner wear with moderate fading to the blue color on the lid. The orig registration certificate is equally fine. Cartridge box is heavily faded with moderate to heavy soiling and missing chips and part of the label. Ammunition is lightly soiled but will clean nicely. Altogether an extremely rare set. 52527-12 JRL (10,000-15,000)