Greetings, S&W forum! This is my first post and let me say up front that I am grateful for any information experienced and knowledgeable users may share about this antique firearm.

This pistol has been in my family for as long as I can remember, belonging to my great uncle from old Kentucky. It has recently come into my possession and I am curious about it's identification and value.

I believe that this is a Model 1, second issue .22 caliber single-action revolver. It appears to be missing a piece under the barrel, although I do not know what that piece is named.

The patent dates are 1855, 1859, and 1860, indicating a second issue. The serial number is 60096, if I am reading it correctly with the barrel pointing to the right.

Can anyone confirm my assumptions about this gun, and offer a probable market value in it's condition?

Thanks for your help on this research.

Welcome to the forum! I don't know as much as I wish I did about these fine old guns. Someone will soon be here to tell you what you need to know. I can say that you have a really sweet piece of family history there that I would love to own. Thanks for sharing it with us. Kyle

mrktnsl, Yes, you have a Model One, 2nd issue. The missing piece is the extractor for fired cartridges. It was a rod about 1 1/2 in long with a rounded tip. You took out the cylinder after you had fired the cartridges and poked out the spent cases with the extractor rod. Not exactly a fast system, but it worked. A replacement part can probably be found, however I have made them out of a large nail the same diameter as the hole in the frame ( file down a nail's diameter in a drill press, cut off about 1 1/2 inches, round one end and insert in the frame, leaving the round end facing towards the muzzle, and cold blue it. There's a small screw that holds the extractor in just below the hole.) The frame is silver plated and has tarnished. leave it as is, do not polish it, as it destroys the collector value of the gun. The barrel & cylinder were originally blue but have faded over time. The serial number appears in two places, on the butt and on the back of the right grip panel, if the grips are original, and they appear to be from your excellent pictures. There are assembly work codes on the back of the barrel, on the cylinder and on the grip frame under the grips. These codes could be letters & numbers or symbols and should be the same in each of the three places, if the gun is original. They were used to reassemble the parts after plating and bluing and to keep track of production as the assemblers were paid by piece work. The gun was probably shipped to J.W.Storrs, S&W's distributor in NYC in the early 1860s, so it could have a family history of being carried in the Civil War by an ancestor. Nice family heirloom! Ed.

Here's a picture of what the Ejector Rod looks like on the #1 2nd issue. This one is S/N 11322X and was shipped in July 1867. If you would want any exact measurements, let me know and I will measure mine for you.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Here are a few that were too nice for the price to pass up:

mrktnsl,HRichard, Although HRichard has graciously offered his assistance, I'm not sure duplicating his measurements is your best option. I question that his empty case ejecting rod shown in the photo is original. The most evident feature being the nose or muzzle end of the rod. What appears in all the Model 1s in RHMC24's photo shows a bullet head shape ahead of a shoulder. That shown on HRichards appears as a bullet head shape followed by a V cut groove. Secondly, the photo appears to show a screw at the base of the rod, a feature I have not seen until the 3rd issue Model 1s. Thirdly, it is difficult to measure the length of the rod from the photo, but it looks just a mite long.

The ejector rod on my Model 1 Second Issue measures exactly 1 1/2" from the bullet tip to the barrel frame, on the bottom side. The rod is .225" in diameter.

Your revolver looks like a very nice example. Good luck finding a replacement or making a new ejector rod.

Thanks to all for the excellent information and examples of this historical pistol. It does sadden me that ours is missing the ejector rod which will certainly affect the market value, but since I am not interested in selling it it really doesn't matter. In the interests of authenticity I will not fabricate an ejector rod, even if I could. Perhaps an authentic replacement could be found.

The number stamps are present on the cylinder and inside the frame as opoefc pointed out, and I have some additional images of the details.









Thanks again!

m

mrktnsl,
Check with Dave Chicoine. Specify 1st Model, 2nd Issue. He might have an original as that part is not as high demand as the Split Spring that operates the cylinder release. It's worth a try. The process to replace it is as simple as aligning the ejector rod (pointy end towards the muzzle) and tapping it in place with a leather mallet. Mike #283

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Mike Maher #283

Mike,
Thanks for the reference for Dave Chicoine. I am following it up now.

That's why I joined this forum!

m

Any idea of the Value?

It's a S&W 5 shot Model 1 Postal Pistol.
Under the Grip is 1407
And has the dates July 3, 1856 / June 8, 1858.







This belonged to my buddies Grandmother. He's trying to get the value for his ins. Company.

hello all--I to have a lost shell punch for my third issue! Any ideas where to get one? Actually looks to have broke after the screw. Not a must have, but want it correct==thanks to all for any help--JT

Welcome to the Forum JT. Unfortunately, the answer to your question is there are no parts to be found unless a member here has some ejector rods stored away. This part is very easy to reproduce and can be made to match, if you have access to an example to take measurements. Starting with a 1/4" rod, you can reduce the diameter to around .225". The finished piece is then held in place by a small screw. The only shaping to do is the front end of the ejector rod. If you are not into metal working, a machinist could reproduce one very easliy.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Of possible interest, mine ----

have a S&W 22cal model1 second issue need a trigger

Hello all. First Post
Looking for a hammer for a model 1 second issue? Have tried Jack's already and gunbroker
Anyone have specs for hammer, I can maybe have one made.
Thanks
Dave