If you had to take inventory of the most popular handguns unmistakably recognized throughout the world, the Magnum Research International Desert Eagle would have to sit near the top of that list. In large part, its immense popularity can be credited to its numerous starring roles in Hollywood movies and video games.

Its large size, intimidating appearance and big-bore chamberings have helped the Desert Eagle retain street rights to its nickname, King of Pistols. To get the history on this iconic pistol, I spoke with Magnum Research's president, Todd Seyfert.

"Remember watching the Dirty Harry movies back in the '70s?" Seyfert asked. "That line in the movie that described the most powerful handgun in the world? Basically, Bernie White said, 'Why can't someone figure out how to put a .357 Magnum in a semiautomatic?'"

White, one of the founders of Magnum Research, had approached many companies with the same challenge and was told that it couldn't be done. That was until he met with Israeli Military Industries (IMI) in 1979.

It took three years after the design process began in 1980 to completely develop the Mark I, which was originally patented by White in January 1983. Once IMI refined the design for production, a second patent was filed in December 1985. Although Magnum Research's recent 25th anniversary celebrates the date that Desert Eagles were commercialized, the company is really 30 years old.

Over the last quarter-century, there have been just three variants of the Desert Eagle. The Mark I sported a 10-inch barrel and was offered in either a steel, stainless or aluminum frame.

The Mark VII was the Mark I's successor and introduced an adjustable trigger that could be installed on the Mark I. Both were available in .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum, but the Mark VII added the .41 Magnum to the family tree, as well as an optional 14-inch barrel.

The Mark XIX (spoken "mark 19") was a continuation of the Mark VII with an integral Weaver scope rail on the barrel. The .50 AE became a popular option in this model, while different finishes (chrome, gold and titanium) sought to satisfy the custom tastes of other handgunners. Barrel lengths in the Mark XIX were limited to six and 10 inches.

The first time I handled a Desert Eagle goes back to just before Operation Desert Storm. A close friend of the family and local sheriff's deputy brought one to a range day. I can remember marveling at its tough appearance and unique operation. When firing it off the bench with some unusually hot loads, I jokingly wondered if it could second as a flamethrower on a battlefield.

That deputy was a Marine reservist and deployed with his unit to the Persian Gulf. He returned a year later to a hero's town welcome and talked about a new Desert Eagle he had read of while in Saudi Arabia, one that was going to be chambered in a .50 caliber cartridge.

IMI's civilian arms production was suspended for the war in 1991, and handgunners had to wait a year before finding one. When it did show up, the Desert Eagle earned bragging rights as the first production .50 caliber handgun, and the desert war veteran traded up. I'm still certain that he was just trying to stir my envy.