Historical Guns: Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum | Guns & Gear

Published on May 6, 2024
Duration: 1:51

This video explores the historical Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum, a bespoke revolver introduced in 1936 to accompany the new .357 Magnum cartridge. Mike Helms, a Smith & Wesson historian, details how these revolvers were custom-built to customer specifications, including barrel length, finish, grips, and even the ammunition they were sighted in with. The craftsmanship, such as the checkering and concentric hammer striations, highlights the artisan nature of these early high-performance handguns.

Quick Summary

The 1936 Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum was a bespoke revolver built on the N frame to accompany the new .357 Magnum cartridge. Customers specified everything from barrel length and finish to ammunition sight-in preferences, making each gun a unique, artisan-crafted piece with exceptional fit and finish.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction with S&W Historian
  2. 00:08The 1936 .357 Registered Magnum
  3. 00:15History of the Registered Magnum
  4. 00:26N Frame and .357 Magnum Cartridge
  5. 00:35Bespoke and Custom Features
  6. 00:41Customer Specification Sheet
  7. 00:50Ammunition Sight-In Options
  8. 01:00Artisan Craftsmanship
  9. 01:04Checkering and Hammer Details
  10. 01:25The Beginning of .357 Magnum
  11. 01:41More Gun Talk Content

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum?

The Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum was a high-end, custom revolver introduced in 1936. It was built on the N frame and chambered in the newly developed .357 Magnum cartridge, offering bespoke features tailored to individual customer specifications.

How were Smith & Wesson Registered Magnums customized?

Customers could specify barrel length, finish, grip type, and even the exact ammunition and distance for which the firearm would be sighted in. This level of personalization made each Registered Magnum a unique, artisan-crafted piece.

When was the .357 Magnum cartridge introduced?

The .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1935. The .357 Registered Magnum revolver was developed the following year, in 1936, to be the premier handgun for this powerful new cartridge.

What distinguished the craftsmanship of the .357 Registered Magnum?

The .357 Registered Magnum showcased exceptional craftsmanship, including detailed checkering on the top strap and unique concentric striations on the hammer. The overall fit and finish were described as perfect, reflecting the artisan nature of its construction.

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