Lee Jarrett gave me permission to copy this thread originally posted on the S&WCA section of the Forum since it contains information of general interest to all collectors of S&W firearms. A new book featuring the Ray Cheely collection of .357 Magnums and other unique S&W revolvers, and as originally published in December 2019, The Smith & Wesson 44 Magnum by Bill Cross and Roy Jinks, is available for purchase on Amazon at a price of $79.99. You can find the book by typing in Smith & Wesson magnum edition book in the search box. A portion of each sale will be donated to the Smith & Wesson Historical Foundation.

The book features a note from Ken Cheely, curator of the Cheely firearm collection for many years as well as a personal note from Sheryl Cheely and David Carroll. The photographs in the book were taken by the well known firearms photographer, Paul Goodwin. Beginning with Phil Sharpe's .357 Magnum with Registration Number 2, there are over ninety pages featuring .357 Magnums and registration certificates. The section on Additional Firearms in the Cheely Collection(pages 102-176) feature rare revolvers such as the .45 Hand Ejector Model of 1917 in experimental 9mm caliber, Second and Third Model 44 Hand Ejectors, Fourth Model 44 Hand Ejectors with a rare nickel finish, and a 1955 45 Target with a rare 5-inch barrel.

The section on Smith & Wesson's 44 Magnum is a reprint of the original published in 2019 (47 pages). The two printings of this book sold out. Featured is the only surviving 44 Magnum prototype, early production 44 Magnums, a treatise of the Model 29-1, rare barrel lengths, engraved 44 Magnums, and presentation cases. This section will answer most of your questions about 44 Magnums produced from 1955-2006.

Below are several photos of pages in the book that every collector should have in their library.

Bill Cross

I was privileged, and in awe, to see the Cheely collection---some of it anyway. It was laid out on tables for sale---Orlando SWCA annual meeting, if memory serves. I dare say this book will be the next best thing---maybe even better, considering there will be words to go along with the pictures.

I was also privileged to take one of them home with me---turned out to be 1 of 39----the last of the .44 H.E. 2nd Targets---all sold to a NYC distributor on a close-out basis----$17 each. The one I got cost more.

Ralph Tremaine

I highly recommend the book - lots of drool worthy photographs of amazing and rare guns.

I just ordered mine!

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Don Mundell

Bill,

I got mine on Monday, it's a winner.

Gotta have it! Just placed my order!

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FBINA, 204th Session

Ray's 357s are definitely worth a book! The 44 Mag data is a definitive work on its own.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

This is the perfect thing for me to spend my rewards points! Just ordered one.

I got mine last week! WOW!!!!! Thanks Bill for doing this. I'm ordering another to put away.
Don
ps
The picture of the gun room is worth the price of the book.

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Don Mundell

Some beautiful and very expensive guns in this collection!

I recently received mine. The Authors did a fine job! It is a great book with lots of photographs and a wealth of information. It is really wonderful to see the magnificent Cheely collection of revolvers featured! The 44 Magnum section is superb as well and is a must read if you enjoy and collect Model 29’s.