Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum: The Original .357 Magnum Revolver

The Birth of the .357 Magnum

• 💡 The Registered Magnum, introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1935, was the first .357 Magnum firearm on Earth.
• 🚀 It was developed on an N-frame, a larger frame size capable of handling increased power, evolving from earlier .38 Special heavy-duty loads.
• 🧠 The development involved extensive experimentation by figures like Elmer Keith, Phil Sharp, and Doug Wesson to create a powerful handgun cartridge.

Cartridge and Frame Evolution

• 🎯 The .357 Magnum cartridge was created by lengthening the .38 Special case to accommodate more powder, achieving velocities around 1500 feet per second.
• ⚠️ Early models featured counter-sunk chambers to prevent case head blowouts, a feature later deemed unnecessary and discontinued.
• 🛠️ The N-frame, originally based on the .44 frame size, provided the necessary strength for the new, more powerful cartridge.

The Registered Magnum's Customization and Legacy

• 🌟 The Registered Magnum was a highly customizable firearm, allowing buyers to specify barrel length, finish, sights, and point of aim.
• 📜 Each firearm came with a registration number, and buyers had to fill out a form, emphasizing its exclusive nature.
• 📈 While initially expensive (around $60 in the 1930s, equivalent to $1500-$2000 today), it was a significant advancement in handgun power and a major collectible.

Notable Owners and Evolution

• 🎖️ General Patton owned a Registered Magnum, as did famous actors like Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, and Gary Cooper.
• 🏛️ The first Registered Magnum was presented to J. Edgar Hoover.
• 🌟 This firearm evolved into the Model 27 and the more utilitarian Model 28 (Highway Patrolman) in later years, with the Model 27 often considered one of the most beautiful firearms ever made.

Collectibility and Modern Context

• 💰 The Registered Magnum is now a highly collectible item, with prices ranging from $6,500 to tens of thousands for pristine examples.
• 🔫 While modern .357 Magnums are often smaller and handier (like the K-frame Model 19), the Registered Magnum represents a significant historical milestone in handgun development.