 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
SMITH & WESSON NO. 2 ARMY REVOLVER WITH JAPANESE INSCRIPTION 32 RIMFIRE
Guns International #: 100738460 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Smith & Wesson Revolvers - Antique - Smith & Wesson Revolvers
Seller's Information
When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com
Seller: victorio1sw
Member Since: 8/4/13
State: Texas
Country: United States
Fax:
Number of Active Listings: 4
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Bank Cashier’s Checks and Postal Money Orders.
Description:
********SOLD********
Description:
These were popular during the American Civil War as one of the first cartridge revolvers. Afterward, western lawmen such as Bill Hickok often carried one of these as a second hidden weapon. Between 1861 and 1872 a total of 77,155 of these No. 2 Old Army’s were manufactured.
In the Feb 2018 Man At Arms is an article “The Military Handguns Of Imperial Japan”, by Paul Scarlota. On page 15 it states that “Smith & Wesson records show that 1,550 of the No. 2 Old Army revolvers were shipped to Japanese importers in 1868”. A photo of a young Japanese Samurai warrior armed with a probable No. 2 revolver is also presented on that page (and copied here as the FIRST image).
Serial #44551 in 32 RF was produced with a 6” octagon barrel late in 1865. In fact, late enough to miss the American Civil War, and thus through an importer was shipped to Japan. The gun retains its perfectly-fitting original rosewood grips and bear what may be 85% original glossy varnish. These grips are full, except for a small sliver at left lower blackstrap, a tiny toe chip on right side, and some shallow chips and scuffs at butt on both sides. Probably while in Japan it was nickeled, and about 85% of this finish remains. The balance of the metal surfaces are light gray, blending well with the nickel. The hammer and trigger were blued, and that finish has thinned to a medium dark gray. The bullet-nosed ejector pin probably was also blued, and is now a smooth light gray. This revolver has strong external markings including the barrel address, butt serial number, and patent dates around the cylinder’s periphery. Those patent dates read in a clockwise direction: “Patented April 3, 1855, July 5, 1859, & Dec 12, 1860”. The serial number is also deeply stamped inside of the right grip. Under the left grip on the grip frame is the assembly number 19. That assembly number matches on the barrel and cylinder.
This 32 rimfire cocks and indexes properly with good cylinder lockup. The bore retains strong rifling with only minor scattered light porosity and pitting. The cylinder chambers are very clean and smooth for a black powder gun. In the cylinder pictures, the chambers were cleaned and coated with grease for preservation. The barrel hinge is much tighter than most, with only the most minor “wiggle” noticed. The small German silver halfmoon front sight and steel rear V-notch sight (integral to locking bolt) are as original, not altered in any manner.
On the right barrel flat is an inscription as engraved with Japanese characters. An expert on Japanese firearms, Francis C. Allan, provided the key information on this inscription. At the time he was working on a book covering foreign guns used and marked by Japan. He said the “characters are a standard three-element Japanese registration marking as required by a law put in place in 1871. The three elements are: date of registration, registration number, and location where it was registered. Reading top to bottom it was registered in the year ‘Meiji 9’ which is 1876. That is followed by the ‘number 47’ and then next by Wakayama Prefecture”. A quick research indicated a prefecture to be one of 47 administrative divisions of Japan. The Wakayama prefecture of Japan is located on the Kii Peninsula in the Kansai region on Honsh? island. The capital is the city of Wakayama. Each prefecture is overseen by an elected governor, and is further divided into cities, towns and villages. The Wakayama prefecture is a division of the southern third of Japan.
This exact revolver was pictured and discussed in Mike Carrick’s column in one of the 2009 Gun Report issues. A copy of that page will be included with this sale. Additional pictures can be sent on request, including a highly-detailed smoke lift of the barrel inscription.
Can ship this one directly to buyer, no FFL Required.
Terms:
No International sales. Not being sold as a shooter, but as a collector’s antique Smith & Wesson American. If you want to shoot any older gun, first take it to a competent gunsmith and have it checked out.
Three day inspection period, but ask questions prior to buying (see additional notes on returns at bottom). Additional pictures sent on request.
I accept Bank Cashier’s Checks and Postal Money Orders. No personal checks or Western Union MO’s. Payment must be received within seven days after sale date, and sent by Priority Mail with Tracking Number provided by buyer. Shipping by USPS Priority Mail (11” x 8-1/2” x 5-1/2” priority box) with insurance $33.75 (and tracking number provided to buyer). Usually shipping occurs within 3 days after payment received.
Three (3) day Inspection and Return Policy: Only if returned Exactly as Received - Not Disassembled for Inspection, Not Tampered, Not Broken/Chipped/Scratched/Dented/Scuffed, or any Parts Switched. Any Original Documentation sent Must Be Returned with item.
SOLD
Curio/Relic: Yes
Antique: Yes