The History of 357 Magnum: The 38/44 Revolver and Cartridge

Published on January 27, 2024
Duration: 1:00

The .357 Magnum's development originated from Smith & Wesson's .38/44 revolver, a .38 Special built on a .44 Special frame. This platform allowed for higher pressure loadings of the .38 Special, known as the .38/44 cartridge. Experimentation by Elmer Keith on this platform led to the creation of the more powerful .357 Magnum cartridge, which was then offered in the "Registered Magnum" revolver.

Quick Summary

The .357 Magnum cartridge originated from the .38/44 cartridge, a high-pressure loading of the .38 Special. This was developed for Smith & Wesson's .38/44 revolver, built on a .44 Special frame. Elmer Keith's experiments on this platform led to the creation of the .357 Magnum.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the .38/44 Revolver
  2. 00:10Model Variations: Heavy Duty & Outdoorsman
  3. 00:22The .38/44 Cartridge Explained
  4. 00:34Elmer Keith and .357 Magnum Development
  5. 00:44The Registered Magnum: Birth of .357

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the precursor to the .357 Magnum cartridge?

The .357 Magnum evolved from the .38/44 cartridge, a high-pressure loading of the .38 Special. This cartridge was designed to be fired in Smith & Wesson's .38/44 revolver, which featured a larger frame originally intended for .44 Special ammunition.

What were the two main variations of the .38/44 revolver?

The .38/44 revolver, introduced in the 1930s, came in two primary variations: the Heavy Duty model, typically with a 4-inch barrel and fixed sights, and the Outdoorsman model, featuring a 6-inch barrel and pre-war target sights.

Who was instrumental in the development of the .357 Magnum?

Elmer Keith was a key figure in the development of the .357 Magnum. He utilized the .38/44 revolver platform to experiment with higher pressure loadings, which ultimately led to the creation of the more powerful .357 Magnum cartridge.

What was the first Smith & Wesson revolver chambered in .357 Magnum?

Following the development of the .357 Magnum cartridge, Smith & Wesson released the "Registered Magnum." This firearm was essentially the .38/44 revolver redesigned and chambered specifically for the new, more powerful .357 Magnum ammunition.

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