I am posting this for general info, but particularly for "first-model". The image shows the cover of a Flayderman catalog from late 1950s. I had the American on my table at Baton Rouge, but I didn't think to mention to "first-model" that there was a similar prototype that I guess might have become a First Model, Fourth Issue. I won't create any suspense - no I don't have the first model barrel and cylinder and don't know where it is today. Maybe someone else does.

Attached Images

split_american.jpg (70.1 KB, 147 views)

Oh, wow! Yes, I remember seeing the split cylinder American on your table, but I had no idea that there might have been a .22 prototype as well. Fascinating! I'll try to find one of these Flayderman catalogs.

Mike

I don't recall now who came up with the split cylinder idea, ( as an improvement in extracting spent brass. A patent search might tell us . ) but over time in the past, I've owned at least two revolvers with the split cylinders, nether of which were Smith & Wessons. One was a Hopkins & Allen. 38. and I think the other was made by Iver Johnson. If S&W was experimenting with a Model One, 3rd issue prototype, with a split cylinder, they must have either acquired patent rights, or would need to. Ed.

The French Galand revolvers had a split cylinder and were in production in the 1860s.
GalandX copy.jpg

galand%20sportsman%20mal-07.jpg

Joe

IIRC about 20 years ago there was an auction of the Smith & Wesson (factory) collection many older models experimental revolvers.

https://www.huesken.com/shop/en/rifl...log-61768.html

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Sal, I was at that auction and still have the catalog, however there were no split cylinder S&Ws included. That was the Butterfield & Butterfield auction, run by Greg Martin at the time. B&B had requested Roy Jinks to write the catalog descriptions, which he did and he attended the auction, but B&B did not use his descriptions, so many of the rare guns did not get full exposure as to their unique status, however that may have helped us who were there to buy guns cheaper ! Some guy in the back of the room was bidding against me and cost me extra $$ until we conspired to alternate our bids. - name of Supica -Ed.
(PS: Joe, Your post reminded me that I sold a split cylinder Galand revolver, with Japanese markings, at the last Las Veagas antique gun show. )

A Japanese marked revolver would be interesting. The Russian Navy adopted the Galand in 1868 and some would have still been in service in 1905 when the Russo Japanese war occurred.
Captured?
Joe

From Flayderman's Catalog 42, back when a brass-framed Henry rifle could be had for $360. Item number 221 on page 21:

S&W factory experimental SA American model revol cal 44 rim fire. This piece is unfinished - exactly as it was made & used in the factory. BBL never MKD. Gun shows no wear. Bore fine! All edges "like-new". Mech exc plus. The cover photo in which this piece is shown quite adequately portrays the rare split cylinder ejector system with which S&W experimented but never actually produced. With this gun goes a BBL & same split cylinder type ejector system of a S&W Model 1, 3d Issue .22 revol. Neither of these pieces are finished, but metal exc plus - exactly as used at factory. This BBL has never been rifled! Bore perfect. BBL MKD on top in large letter "M" (model) and "1868". Both pieces are of course extreme rarities & especially desirable because of their early period 1865-1870. A once-in-lifetime offering!

Mike

Joe, The Galand I sold, was a smaller revolver than the Russian Navy Galands. It was about a 7mm caliber pocket model style, with a 3 1/2 in. barrel, marked as "Galand patent' and had a French (?) dealer mark ( "LaRose Brevette") Ivory grips, blue finish. The Japanese stamp was for the Emperors household (Guards?), not military. Ed.