From the Vault: Three S&W Revolvers That Started the Magnum Era

Published on November 15, 2019
Duration: 8:35

This entry details three historic Smith & Wesson revolvers that pioneered the Magnum era, as presented by Keith Ford and Steve Ostrem. It highlights the .38-44 Outdoorsman, Douglas Wesson's .357 Magnum used in a bulletproof glass test, and Phil Sharpe's Registered Magnum. The information emphasizes the custom nature of these early Magnum revolvers and their role in developing powerful cartridges.

Quick Summary

Three historic Smith & Wesson revolvers, including Elmer Keith's .38-44 Outdoorsman and early .357 Magnums like Douglas Wesson's and Phil Sharpe's, are featured. These guns were pivotal in developing the first Magnum cartridge, with demonstrations like shooting through bulletproof glass highlighting their power and influencing law enforcement adoption.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction
  2. 00:21Identifying the Revolvers
  3. 01:48Douglas Wesson's .357 Magnum
  4. 03:16The Registered Magnum
  5. 04:08Phil Sharpe's Magnum
  6. 06:12Elmer Keith's .38-44 Outdoorsman

Frequently Asked Questions

What three Smith & Wesson revolvers are featured in the video that started the Magnum era?

The video showcases Elmer Keith's .38-44 Outdoorsman, Douglas Wesson's personal .357 Magnum, and Phil Sharpe's .357 Magnum, all instrumental in developing the first Magnum cartridge in the early 1930s.

How did Douglas Wesson demonstrate the power of his .357 Magnum?

Douglas Wesson demonstrated the power of his 'club series' pre-registered Magnum by successfully shooting through a 1 1/8 inch thick piece of bulletproof glass, capturing significant attention.

What characterized the Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum?

The Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum was a highly customizable firearm, with production around 6,000 units. They featured custom barrel lengths from 3.5 to 8.75 inches, varied sights, and specific trigger pulls.

What made Elmer Keith's .38-44 Outdoorsman unique?

Elmer Keith's .38-44 Outdoorsman featured custom Roper grips for enhanced handling and a specialized crossbar front sight with a reflector mirror to improve visibility, designed for heavy .38 Special loads.

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