Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Antiques
o

Notices

S&W Antiques S&W Lever Action Pistols, Tip-Up Revolvers, ALL Top-Break Revolvers, and ALL Single Shots


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-27-2013, 03:22 PM
MJM1876 MJM1876 is offline
Member
Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default Model 1 Second Issue

Hello all great site you have here.

A friend recently passed and his wife asked me to inventory his gun safe. Tucked away in a sock was a Model 1 Second Issue (as per research in my History of S&W book and this site), and I believe it was his dads. There's an oddity in the serial number as the first digit, which is a "2" is sideways to the remaining 4 digits. The "2" was confirmed under the grip as part of the SN...the gun is also engraved on one side "Presented by CJ Betzer" and on the other "JJ Betzer Circleville." Im thinking about getting a letter, thought I would run the SN and engraving by this group to see just how unusual it is or isnt. Would either the SN or the engraving enhanch or hurt the value?

Thanks for looking

Mark

[IMG][/IMG]
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #2  
Old 01-27-2013, 08:34 PM
glowe's Avatar
glowe glowe is online now
US Veteran

Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Michigan Western UP
Posts: 12,913
Likes: 3,028
Liked 14,248 Times in 5,432 Posts
Default

Welcome to the Forum. The Model 1 was shipped from the factory around 1862 give or take a couple years. As for value enhancement, the serial number would not add anything, but if the engraving was factory, it could double the value of a standard Model 1. You should add pictures of the engraving, since there are several experts who can tell you if it is factory engraving by just viewing photos.

A factory letter can also add value to an antique S&W, since it is a verification of configuration when it left the factory. Many collectors will letter any and all guns they collect, so it is certainly worth the money to validate the revolver and if it is factory original engraving add significant value.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-27-2013, 08:54 PM
MJM1876 MJM1876 is offline
Member
Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

Thanks Glowe

Here is the engraving on one side.

[IMG][/IMG]
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #4  
Old 01-27-2013, 09:15 PM
glowe's Avatar
glowe glowe is online now
US Veteran

Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Michigan Western UP
Posts: 12,913
Likes: 3,028
Liked 14,248 Times in 5,432 Posts
Default

OK - now I see that it is inscribed and not engraved with any ornate scroll-work. Can't make out the name, but it apparently was given by somebody? Does it state anywhere who it was given to? Known and famous people associated with any firearm can make it quite valuable. Could have been a Civil War award, or pretty much any occasion, but odd that the person giving it away is the only name on the revolver.

I see from the pictures that the Model 1 is in poor condition. The ejector rod under the barrel is either loose or bent. The original cylinder stop in the top of the frame is missing and looks to be replaced by something that will not help the gun to function properly. There is a large loss of silver over the brass frame, which lowers value and the wood stocks look either sanded down and refinished or have shrunk to not fit the frame anymore. Unless the revolver can be traced to a person of some fame or fortune, it will most likely sell as a parts gun for under $200.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-27-2013, 10:22 PM
MJM1876 MJM1876 is offline
Member
Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

Thanks Glowe

The side in the picture says "Presented by CJ Betzer" and on the other "JJ Betzer Circleville." Ive been doing some online research, and Betzer is a popular family name in the Circleville, OH area.

Thanks aain

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-28-2013, 12:53 AM
opoefc opoefc is offline
Absent Comrade
US Veteran
SWCA Founding Member
Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Posts: 10,536
Likes: 3,529
Liked 6,883 Times in 2,796 Posts
Default

As glowe said, the gun is in poor condition and has little value except to a Betzer family descendent as a family heirloom. I'm assuming the widow, nor her deceased husband have no connection to the Betzers, correct? If it's still a popular family name in Circleville, you should have no trouble connecting with a few of them and maybe start a bidding war for the widow's benefit! Good luck, Ed.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-28-2013, 12:59 PM
MJM1876 MJM1876 is offline
Member
Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue Model 1 Second Issue  
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

OK thanks guys....

Mark
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Model 1- 2nd Issue and Model 2 Army assembly ID question Kaiserhof S&W Antiques 5 03-12-2017 11:48 AM
S&W Model 1 3rd issue littlerocknroller S&W Antiques 13 11-16-2016 11:35 AM
Police dept issue model 27's or pre model 27's with 3 1/2 inch barrels ? robbt S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 17 09-25-2016 09:10 PM
Model 1 2nd issue gmborkovic S&W Antiques 6 05-06-2016 04:46 PM
Model 13-3 issue jframe S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 5 07-05-2013 11:50 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:11 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)