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

Brownells Gun Techs and firearm historians Steve Ostrem and Keith Ford are back at Rock Island Auctions to show us a trio of ultra-rare, history-making Smith & Wesson revolvers. They were owned by Elmer Keith, Douglas Wesson (grandson of S&W co-founder Horace Wesson), and gun writer Phillip Sharpe. All three gentlemen were instrumental in developing the .357 Magnum cartridge - and they used these guns to do it. Keith's N-frame .38/44 Outdoorsman is comfortably over-engineered to handle the punishment of his hot experimental loads. Wesson's revolver is a pre-production .357 Magnum whose serial number starts with a "0". A devoted proponent of the new cartridge, Wesson tried to get Remington to load .357 ammo.... and they said "No." Then Winchester said "Yes." Wesson used this revolver to demonstrate the cartridge's power on the now worse-for-wear piece of bulletproof glass. The Magnum Era had begun. When Smith & Wesson first put the .357 revolver into production, EACH gun was registered to its original owner. Phil Sharpe's gun is the Serial No. 2 Registered Magnum. (No. 1 went to J. Edgar Hoover, which explains the Magnum's early popularity with FBI agents.)
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[@JaredAF]

Very nice. I love my 38/44 Outdoorsman. It's the crown jewel of my Smith collection for sure!

[@KaletheQuick]

Today on "Remembered Weapons"

[@user-mm4je1sb9b]

A mirror to reflect light on the front sight, genius!

[@davidcronin5689]

Just picked up a 38/44 from a neighbor “ Oklahoma highway patrol “. Well balanced firearm

[@scottwilson1258]

A Good Video Boy's Thank You

[@jalan8171]

In his book, SIXGUNS, Keith considered the 38/44 Outdoorsman to be the Best DA revolver built by S&W. He may of held that view, even compared to the Registered .357 Magnum, until the introduction of the S&W .44 Magnum.

[@roykiefer7713]

Gentlemen,
THANK YOU, this was a GREAT video.
FWIW, in the very early-1940’s my father was an FBI Special Agent and firearms instructor. His issued firearm was a Smith .38 on a .44 (N) frame. The issued ammunition was .38 Special +Ps (although not called that during that era) LRNs or LSWCs, I suspect 158 grain.

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[@christiantimothy1988]

@Ishaan Beckham instablaster :)

[@ishaanbeckham595]

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[@ishaanbeckham595]

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[@christiantimothy1988]

@Ishaan Beckham you are welcome xD

[@glockparaastra]

Nice collection there...

[@cascadianrangers728]

Not shown: Elmers blown up guns

[@gregeoryl]

Imagine if they offered to register every owner today

[@glockparaastra]

What’s that car in the background?

[@trevorthefilthyrat3742]

Corvette stingray

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Mitsubishi Eclipse

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Chrysler PT Cruiser

[@buckshot4428]

8 3/8" not 8 3/4"