The accompanying factory letter states the revolver was shipped on July 13, 1939 and delivered to Training Division, Police Department, City of Indianapolis, attn. Lt. E.H. Kruse, Director, Training Division with a 5 inch barrel, 1/8 inch Baughman quick draw front sight, 1/8 inch square notch rear sight, nickel finish, Magna stocks, and a humpback hammer. This order, personally handled by Sales Manager Cy Bassett, was for 15 units which had the registration numbers 4861-4875. The registration number of this revolver is "4862." (RIAC sold Reg. 4865 in the August 2022 Premier Auction #86, lot 1586.) The revolver's configuration and delivery are again confirmed in the included S&W invoice, S&W order form, and Lt. E.H. Kruse's request on City of Indianapolis letterhead addressed to S&W. it is one of only 869 Registered Magnums manufactured with a 5 inch barrel and is one of only 144 that left the factory with a nickel finish. The S&W factory rework star is stamped on the grip frame, crane, and ejector shroud. "12369," a possible factory return date (December 3, 1969), is stamped on the grip frame. The right grip panel is numbered to another gun. Matching serial numbers are on the butt, cylinder, and ejector shroud. Provenance: The Dave Ballantyne Collection

Very fine retaining 98% plus of the S&W factory nickel plating with a light cylinder drag line and some scattered handling marks. The replacement grips are excellent with crisp checkering. Mechanically excellent.