Registered Magnum

The Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum was the first .357 Magnum revolver. The gun was so customizable from a range of options that each one was basically a custom-made gun. Smith & Wesson registered each gun to its original owner and would issue a registration certificate if desired. The Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum was introduced in 1935.1

The revolver was originally named the .357 Magnum after the new cartridge it was chambered for. The ‘Registered Magnum’ moniker was adopted later because of the letters “REG” and a number engraved on the inside of the yoke cut. This designation was intended by the factory to signify that if the owner wanted a registration certificate they would have to mail the registration card that came with the gun back to the factory.2

fact(s):

      • Clark Gable owned and used a Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum revolver3

footnotes/sources:

  1. Supica, Jim, and Richard Nahas. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. 3rd ed., Krause Publications, 2006.
  2. LaPell, David. “The Smith & Wesson’s Registered Magnum: Possibly, the Finest Handgun Ever Made.” ⇒ Guns.com, Guns.com, 2 July 2012
  3. “Clark Gable Magnum” ⇒ National Firearms Museums: Research & Resources, NRA Museums.