Guns International #: 101461823
Seller's Inventory #: 20401

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

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

PAIR of Antique Number 1½ SMITH & WESSON 1st & 2nd Issue Rimfire REVOLVERS “Suicide Specials” With a DISPLAY CASE & .32 Cartridges

Description:
PAIR of Antique Number 1½ SMITH & WESSON 1st & 2nd Issue Rimfire REVOLVERS

“Suicide Specials” With a DISPLAY CASE & .32 Cartridges

Here we present two antique Smith & Wesson Model Number 1-1/2 .32 Rimfire Revolvers, one 1st issue and one 2nd issue. The first issue was made between 1865 and 1868 and the second issue was made circa 1868-1875, both 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 S&W Model No. 1-1/2 Revolver First Issue was simply a scaled-up version of the No. 1, down to the aesthetics. The .32 continued to evolve just as the .22 version, both in features and aesthetics. It was also a commercial success and was well-received by the buying public seeing production numbers total 26,300.

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. 2nd Issue guns were serial numbered consecutively after the 1st Issue, with numbers ranging from approximately 26,300 through 127,000.

The condition of the First issue is good. It wears a later nickel finish. Nice rosewood grips. The bore is gray with good rifling. The action is strong. The hinge screw and ejector rod under the barrel are replacements. The condition of the Second issue is near fine. 90+% original blue finish. Vivid case colors on the hammer. Nice rosewood grips as well. The bore is dark with good rifling. The action (hammer/trigger) function just fine. The cylinder does not revolve properly—it is likely that the handspring needs to be replaced as the hand itself and the ratchet on the back of the cylinder appear to be in good order. Also includes an original box of 40 .32 Short rimfire cartridges from UMC (ships domestically only). The case is pine and glass-topped with a cork layer over Styrofoam interior, cut out to fit each piece. This is a neat set that has the potential to fill two niches in your S&W collection at one time!

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

Barrels are 3-1/2 inches.

Caliber: .32 Short or Long Rimfire

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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

ancestryguns         

$1675

#20401
 

SOLD

Antique: Yes