Guns International #: 101941631
Seller's Inventory #: 217824

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

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

Antique SMITH & WESSON Number 1-1/2 “CENTERFIRE” .32 S&W Caliber REVOLVER “.32 Single Action” WILD WEST S&W Spur Trigger

Description:
Antique SMITH & WESSON Number 1-1/2 “CENTERFIRE” .32 S&W Caliber REVOLVER  

“.32 Single Action” WILD WEST S&W Spur Trigger

Here we present an antique Smith & Wesson Model Number 1-1/2 “Centerfire” Revolver, also called the Smith & Wesson .32 Single Action, made circa 1878-1892 in Springfield, Massachusetts. This model represented the first .32 S&W centerfire caliber top-break revolver that automatically ejected spent cartridges upon opening. Similar in appearance to the Model 1-1/2 2nd Issue, this model has a 5-shot fluted cylinder and bird's-head grip of wood or checkered hard rubber. Offered with barrel lengths of 3, 3.5", 6", 8" and 10". The 8" and 10" barrel are rare and were not offered until 1887. This model pivots downward on opening. It features a rebounding hammer that made the weapon much safer to fully load. Approximately 97,599 manufactured between 1878 and 1892.

It's predecessor, 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 overall condition is excellent. Original finish. Robust action with a tight lock up. Bright bore. Very good grips with average handling wear. Numbers match and the makings are clear.

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

Barrel is 3-1/2 inches.

Caliber: .32 S&W

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         

$1500

#217824
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes