THE MOST POWERFUL HAND ARM IN THE WORLD
THE FINEST TARGET REVOLVER MADE
SMITH & WESSON ACCURACY
"Magnum" a greater chamber capacity than military dimensions and power beyond the normal expectancy of the caliber.
1510 foot-seconds velocity! 800 foot-pounds muzzle energy!
More energy at 200 yards than the muzzle energy for .44 S&W Special.
"The most important handgun developed in the twentieth century." -Roy Jinks
Here is an account of the beginning. Roy Jinks presented this material at the 2009 S&WCA Annual Meeting.
S&W applied for a Trade Mark for ".357 Magnum" on January 3, 1935. It was officially registered on April 23, 1935. In the February Issue of the American Rifleman, F. C. Ness column "The Dope Bag" gives a report suggesting that the new revolver is near completion. On February 21, 1935, D. B, Wesson receives a letter from W. G. Traver asking for the retail price and the police price on the new .357 Magnum. Wesson's reply is dated February 26, 1935. "We hope very much to be able to make the announcement of the Magnum within the next three weeks." The retail price was $60.00 and the police price $48.00. The first commercial order placed was for W. G. Traver (he got number 3) on February 28, 1935. Phil Sharpe's Magnum order was dated March 19, 1935 (he got number 2). The first registered Magnum to leave the factory was registration number 1, and the recipient was J. Edgar Hoover. It shipped on April 17, 1935.
My first year gun REG 657 shipped December 24, 1935 to Potchernick's in San Antonio, Texas. It went to Texas Ranger and FBI Special Agent James C. (Doc) White.
THE FINEST TARGET REVOLVER MADE
SMITH & WESSON ACCURACY
"Magnum" a greater chamber capacity than military dimensions and power beyond the normal expectancy of the caliber.
1510 foot-seconds velocity! 800 foot-pounds muzzle energy!
More energy at 200 yards than the muzzle energy for .44 S&W Special.
"The most important handgun developed in the twentieth century." -Roy Jinks
Here is an account of the beginning. Roy Jinks presented this material at the 2009 S&WCA Annual Meeting.
S&W applied for a Trade Mark for ".357 Magnum" on January 3, 1935. It was officially registered on April 23, 1935. In the February Issue of the American Rifleman, F. C. Ness column "The Dope Bag" gives a report suggesting that the new revolver is near completion. On February 21, 1935, D. B, Wesson receives a letter from W. G. Traver asking for the retail price and the police price on the new .357 Magnum. Wesson's reply is dated February 26, 1935. "We hope very much to be able to make the announcement of the Magnum within the next three weeks." The retail price was $60.00 and the police price $48.00. The first commercial order placed was for W. G. Traver (he got number 3) on February 28, 1935. Phil Sharpe's Magnum order was dated March 19, 1935 (he got number 2). The first registered Magnum to leave the factory was registration number 1, and the recipient was J. Edgar Hoover. It shipped on April 17, 1935.
My first year gun REG 657 shipped December 24, 1935 to Potchernick's in San Antonio, Texas. It went to Texas Ranger and FBI Special Agent James C. (Doc) White.
Attachments
Last edited:
