Guns International #: 101497298
Seller's Inventory #: 190246

Category - Smith & Wesson Revolvers - Smith & Wesson Revolvers - 22/32

Category
Smith & Wesson Revolvers
Smith & Wesson Revolvers - 22/32

RARE Antique Short-Barrel SMITH & WESSON 1 ½ REVOLVER .32 Rimfire Old West LETTERED, NEW YORK Shipped, 1 of Less Than 1000!

Description:
RARE Antique Short-Barrel SMITH & WESSON 1 ½ REVOLVER .32 Rimfire Old West

LETTERED, NEW YORK Shipped, 1 of Less Than 1000!

Here we present an antique Smith & Wesson Model Number 1-1/2 .32 Rimfire 2nd Issue Revolver, made circa 1875 in Springfield, Massachusetts. The No. 1 was Smith & Wesson’s first metallic cartridge firearm. It utilized the idea of the “bored through cylinder”, which was patented by Rollin White and subsequently exclusively licensed by Smith & Wesson. This concept has forever changed revolving firearms design, and is the same idea used in revolvers today. S&W, via Rollin White himself, aggressively sued any patent infringers and were able to hold their monopoly on the American market for cartridge revolvers from about 1857 to 1870, whereupon their patent expired. The results were a very profitable business, a broke Rollin White, and a grudging U.S. Chief of Ordnance Alexander Dyer, who was still angry in 1870 about not being able to use the technology during the Civil War. The U.S. government ended up giving Colt their contracts since they valued the larger .44 caliber in the Colt 1860 Armies over the .32 caliber full sized No. 2 Armies.

The second issue of the Model ?1 1⁄2 can be identified by its fluted barrel and the rounded shape of the grip butt. Like the 1st Issue, it was also produced in blued steel and nickel-plated varieties, with most models having a ?3 1⁄2-inch barrel. Like this one, it is estimated that less than a thousand guns were produced with a short barrel. These can be identified by the barrel markings located on the side of the barrel, as opposed to the markings on the top strap that were applied to ?3 1⁄2-inch barrels. The factory letter copy confirms the configuration and lists this as a "Special Short Barrel Variation" that was sold on January 9, 1875, in a lot of 50 of this type through M.W. Robinson Co. in New York City. 2nd Issue guns were serial numbered consecutively after the 1st Issue, with numbers ranging from approximately 26,300 through 127,000.

The overall condition is Near Fine. Original nickel finish. Some case colors remaining on the hammer. The action is strong. The bore is in good condition. The markings are clear. Here is a very nice and rare example of the short-barreled S&W No. 1-1/2 revolver from the glory days of the Old West!

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 2-1/2 inches.

Caliber: .32 Rimfire

Overall condition as seen in photos.

Very Fast. Very Safe. FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE. Delivered directly to your door by express mail!
Guaranteed AUTHENTIC & Includes CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY.

ancestryguns         

$1100

#190246
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes