Elmer Keith, a well known author and wildcatter at the time, was experimenting with hand loading. 38 Special loads, but only if Winchester would develop a new cartridge. Wesson agreed to produce a new revolver that would handle 'high-intensity'.
Firearms writer and experimenter Philip Sharpe is credited for its development during the 1930s when police agencies were asking for a more powerful round. Smith & Wesson played a major part in the development and success of the cartridge and revolver that went with it. 357 Magnum is the oldest 'magnum' handgun cartridge. A stainless steel variant of the Model 19, the Smith & Wesson Model 66, was introduced in 1971. 357, usually known as the Smith & Wesson Model 27. The K-frame is somewhat smaller and lighter than the original N-frame.
The Smith & Wesson Model 19 is a revolver produced by Smith & Wesson that was introduced in 1957 on its K-frame. S&W Model 19, polished nickel finish, 6' barrel
