Lot 1482

Factory Nickel Plated Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum

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Factory Nickel Plated Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum

Estimate: $5,500 - $8,500

Starting Bid: $4,750

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Rare and Desirable Factory Nickel Plated, Indianapolis Police Department Shipped Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum Double Action Revolver with Roper Grips, Registration Certificate, and Factory Letter Manufactured in 1938, this is a highly desirable example of a factory nickel plated Smith & Wesson .357 Registered Magnum revolver that is documented as having shipped to the Indianapolis Police Department. These revolvers were highly sought after by law enforcement during the period due to the plethora of special order features and configurations, as well as the extremely high quality of the fit and finish. These things lead to high production costs and eventual discontinuation of the Registered Magnum around 1939-1940 with only around 5,500 total produced, keeping these rare revolvers highly desirable on today's collectors market. In a 2010 article for the "Smith & Wesson Collectors Association Journal", Roy Jinks notes that only 787 of these revolvers were produced with a 5 inch barrel. "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" by Supica and Nahas notes that it is believed that fewer than 200 of the Registered Magnums received a factory nickel plated finish. The same book notes that it is reported that only 15 of these revolvers were shipped to the Indianapolis Police Department. The included factory letter lists this revolver, Reg. #4191, with a 5 inch barrel, nickel finish, magna grips, a 1/8 inch Baughman Quick Draw front sight, a 1/8 inch King white outline notch rear sight, and sighted at 25 yards with .38 Special wadcutter ammunition with the trigger pull adjusted to 3 lb. The included reproduction of the registration certificate by Roy Jinks confirms that information as well as noting that the revolver was sighted for a 6 o'clock hold. The revolver has standard Smith & Wesson markings as well as the matching serial number on the butt, in the ejector rod shroud, rear face of the cylinder, front face of the ejector star, and rear face of the yoke. The registration number is on the crane and the matching assembly number is on the frame and crane. It is fitted with a Baughman Quick Draw blade front sight, an adjustable King white outline notch rear sight, and a pair of highly attractive Roper checkered walnut grips.

Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson

Model: Registered Magnum

BBL: 5 inch solid rib

Gauge: 357 Magnum

Finish: nickel

Grips: walnut

Serial Number57088

Class: Curio & Relic Handgun

  • Condition: Very fine, retaining 90% plus of the frosted original nickel plating and 30% of the original case colors on the hammer and trigger, with some minor holster wear at the muzzle and a few scattered patches of tiny specks of oxidation/flaking mostly under the grips. The Roper grips are excellent with only the slightest handling marks and crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent. These factory nickel plated, Indianapolis Police shipped Registered Magnums are very rare; don't miss this opportunity!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000