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S&W Pre-War Reg'd Magnum Double Action Revolver

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,250.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 4,000.00 USD
S&W Pre-War Reg'd Magnum Double Action Revolver
Auction Location:

16600 Aston Street
Irvine, CA
Smith & Wesson Pre-War Registered Magnum Double Action Revolver, #51929, .357 mag. cal., 6-1/2'' barrel, blue finish, factory diamond checkered walnut Magna grips with bright medallions, checkered top strap and rib. Factory records indicate that this revolver was shipped with a King's red bead reflector front sight, and a King's No. 11 white outline rear sight. Crane of revolver is marked ''Reg. 2420'' and was shipped to McDonald & Linforth Co., 420 Market St., San Francisco, CA on June 25, 1937, with all features verified by factory letter. In correct unnumbered gold on blue telescoping picture box. Considered scarce with just 5500 produced and discontinued at the advent of WWII. Each revolver was built to the individual purchaser's specification. Registration paperwork is not present. Condition is very good to near fine retaining approx. 85% original factory blue with thinning from holster wear to muzzle area, high edges, forward portion of frame and cylinder. Sideplate has thinned and toned to approx. 65% blue, and red paint has worn away from front sight bead leaving it with a smooth brass finish. Approx. 75% white paint remains in outline area of rear sight. Grips with moderate even smoothing, more pronounced to backstrap area of right panel. Registered number in crane #2420 is represented on factory letter as #2520 and is clearly a typo or mis-transfer of factory information. Action is smooth and crisp, bore is bright. Box shows light to just moderate scuffing to edges of lid, with sun fading and scuffs to central image. Considered by many to be the finest handgun ever made and owned by the likes of Elmer Keith, Skeeter Skelton, and George S. Patton, costing the equivalent of $1,000 during the height of the Depression. These revolvers today are considered a mid-20th Century work of art. Est.: $2,500-$4,000. (C&R/PPT)