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


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  #1  
Old 05-18-2016, 06:23 PM
DannyB55 DannyB55 is offline
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Many years ago my Dad did a job for a farmer in Manitoba near the North Dakota border. As payment the farmer gave him and old Smith and Wesson .32 cal rimfire c/w what looks like a military holster. My question, is it possible this pistol might have some historical value, and how would one find out? Could it be one of those taken by the Indians at Little Big Horn and brought north with them when they crossed into Canada?
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Old 05-18-2016, 08:03 PM
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Welcome to the Forum. There were two models of 32 Rimfire revolvers made from the early 1860s into the 1880s, so we will need more information. There was a Model 2 and a Model 1 1/2. The Model 2 saw service in the Civil War as a private purchase handgun, but the Model 1 1/2 was mostly used as a pocket revolver for self-defense. Custer did own a couple of Model 2 revolvers, but he did not have them at the Little Big Horn. I doubt that either model would have seen any military service during the Indian Wars, since both Colt and S&W had large frame 44 and 45 caliber revolvers available by the 1870s.

The picture below shows several tip-up rimfire revolvers, so you might be able to pick out one that looks like yours. Also, the serial number as found on the bottom of the butt-frame is helpful. If you can take pictures and post them on the Forum, that would be most appreciated.
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File Type: jpg P1270002.jpg (90.5 KB, 84 views)
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Last edited by glowe; 05-18-2016 at 08:08 PM. Reason: wrong image posted
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Old 05-19-2016, 06:57 AM
dogngun dogngun is offline
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I have read posts elsewhere from people who knew of Model 2's that were carried by old timers into the 1950's. They evidently were very reliable and accurate, and in their day were advanced technology...Ammo was made until about 1980, impossible to find now.
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Old 05-19-2016, 08:31 AM
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Since you mention it was in a holster, I would guess it is a #2, as that was considered a belt gun vs the #1 1/2 which was considered a pocket gun as Gary mentioned.
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Old 05-19-2016, 09:09 AM
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There were military style flap holsters used on many models of handguns. It it true that the Model 2 was the largest S&W made from the Civil War up to 1870 when the Model 3 44 American became available.

I have a couple of Model 1 1/2s that came in old flap holsters. I believe it original to the gun, since you can see the ejector rod outline, the front of the cylinder, and the bottom front of the frame embossed in the leather over the years. They were readily available and apparently worn on gun belts by some in the 1860s-1870s.
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Old 05-19-2016, 01:45 PM
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Hello Gary
Most definitely one of the ones in the second row from the top, I need to go find it and will post the serial number and any other info it may have. Thanks for all the info, most appreciated
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Old 05-19-2016, 05:03 PM
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So it is a Model 2, like H Richard suggested. When you get your hands on the gun again, measure the barrel, The Model 2 came in a 5" and 6" standard, but other lengths were available with special order and most are rare. The Model 2 was made from 1861 to 1874 and was, for a time, the most powerful caliber handgun available. Over 77,000 were made, so they are still quite common, since many have survived.
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Old 05-19-2016, 08:55 PM
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Old 05-19-2016, 09:09 PM
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So this gun has a serial # on the butt, it being 49174. The cylinder is stamped 2R. From the front of the cylinder to the barrel end is 6". The holster looks like it may have had a belt on it, but it's been removed.
Not sure if this helps with anything as far as history. Attaching pictures got too frustrating other than the one above.

Last edited by DannyB55; 05-19-2016 at 09:24 PM. Reason: picture explained
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Old 05-19-2016, 10:35 PM
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You have a nice 6" barreled Model #2 Army in .32 Rim Fire. It is the later style three-pin frame. It also appears to have some blue finish remaining which adds to the overall value. It is NOT recommended that one store the revolver in the holster as the tannins in the leather will eat the bluing and devalue the firearm.
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Old 05-19-2016, 10:54 PM
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I think Gary is mistaken in post #7 about the no2 being the most powerful handgun of its time. The Colt and Remington cap and ball revolvers in .36 and .44 caliber were certainly more powerful, and possibly the same guns in .31 caliber. The earlier Colt Walker was the most powerful revolver until the .357 magnum was introduced. The model 2 was certainly the most powerful cartridge revolver for a few years, until S&W came out with the American model in 1869.
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Old 05-20-2016, 12:10 AM
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Sure wish I knew how it ended up in southern Manitoba.
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Old 05-20-2016, 09:04 AM
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That Model 2 would have shipped in 1865-1866. Another 49XXX shipped in December, 1865. The 6" barrel is the most common length found on these revolver and that one has seen lots of use over the years. The hammer spur was either broken off or removed during is life, so value would be relatively low.

BTW, spell checker must have changed my post from "cartridge" to "caliber", at least that is what I meant to state.
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Last edited by glowe; 05-20-2016 at 09:13 AM.
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