Original Excellent U.S. Antique Smith & Wesson Model 1 2nd Issue Revolver in .22 Short – Matching Serial 79532 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. The Smith & Wesson Model 1 was the first firearm manufactured by Smith & Wesson, with production spanning the years 1857 through 1882. It was the first commercially successful revolver to use rimfire cartridges instead of loose powder, musket ball, and percussion caps. It is a single-action, tip-up revolver holding seven .22 Short black powder cartridges. During the production run it was issued 3 times, with significant changes to each revision.

The 2nd Issue of the Model 1 looked similar to the 1st Issue, with several notable differences. The side plate on the 2nd Issue was much larger and irregularly shaped. The profile of the frame was flatter (a likely concession for manufacturing efficiency), and the hammer was now made in one piece. Model 1 2nd Issues still had the flared, square cornered shaped grip and the octagonal tip-up style frame, and at first glance the two issues are easy to confuse.

There are several variations of the 2nd Issue guns. Variants between serial numbers 12,000 through to about 20,000 involve the shape of the side plate (“straight” or “round”), the design of the trigger spring (flat spring, V spring or coil spring), and the number of patent dates on the cylinder (two or three). There was also a decrease in the size of the barrel roll stamps at around serial number 95,000. There were approximately 110,000 2nd Issues produced from 1860 through 1868, with serial numbers ranging from approximately 12,000 (following the 1st Issue) through to approximately 120,000

This excellent example has a plated and blacked brass frame with a steel barrel and cylinder. Originally the barrel would have been case hardened, but cleaning has removed most of that finish, so now it is bright steel. It is marked with serial number 79532 on the bottom of the grip and on the inside of the right grip scale. It also is marked with assembly number Y 44 on the left side of the grip frame, rear of the barrel, and the front of the cylinder, which makes this a great “ALL MATCHING” example, with no parts swapped out over the years.

The model 1 is loaded by actually unhooking the bottom of the barrel so it could swivel upwards, allowing the entire cylinder to be removed in order to reload. Fitted with spur trigger, these were an extremely convenient little multi shot revolver ideal for a lady or gambler. Fully marked along the top of the barrel:-

SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS.

On the 2nd Issue, the patent information is stamped onto the side of the smooth cylinder, which reads:

PATENTED APRIL 3.1855, JULY 5.1859 & DEC. 18.1860.

The grips are in great shape, with the rosewood grain showing clearly, and they still retain almost all of the original factory “piano varnish” finish present. The revolver still retains much of the finish on the metalwork, except on the barrel which has been polished bright. The cylinder still has the original bluing displayed strongly, and the frame has just a bit of wear on the corners.

The revolver cycles beautifully, with crisp indexing and a solid cylinder lockup. We did not notice any of the usual finicky behavior we can see from revolvers of this age. The bore is in very good condition, showing crisp lands and grooves with a mostly bright finish.

A fantastic very tight example of an early cartridge revolver, ready to display!

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: 1860 – 1868
Caliber: .22 Short Blackpowder
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Blackpowder Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 1/8 inches
Overall Length: 7 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 7 Shot Revolver