I have a nice model 1 3rd issue in nickel finish and New York style engraving. Roy confirmed this in the letter. However, this little gun has a ring installed at the place where normally the rod for ejecting the fired cases is. This is unusual and Roy said that he had never seen a gun with such a modification. You can see pictures of the gun in the forum where I described the revolver. My question is: How is that rod originally fixed to the gun? I can not see any srews or a bolt. As another member recommended to buy a model 1 which is in worst condition and replace the ring with the original rod I would like to know this before breaking anything. Thanks for any help.
Rainer

My Mod 1, 3rd issue has the original rod, and there is a tiny screw in the rod itself, that snug's against the frame and holds it tight. It is located at the bottom (when installed), and is about 1/4" out from the base of the rod. (I didn't pull it out to check for sure).

How is the ring installed? Can you easily remove it?

Try and access this list of vendors in the Download area on the header bar. S&W PARTS and SERVICES VENDORS .txt : Check on Downloads, then Category Tree.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Please do not change anything on that gun. It is an interesting modification.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

You have a unique firearm with a prior owners personal modification. Why would you want to change it back to a plain model 1, 3rd issue of which there are over 100,000 just like it? To me, this gun is unique and one of a kind. If you don't like the modification, I would suggest that you sell it to someone that finds these personal adaptations as interesting and then take that money and go buy one more to your liking.

It would be like someone buying a stock Volkswagen beetle and souping it up and then a new owner taking that Volkswagen monster truck and converting back to a regular Volkswagen beetle. Why bother if you can just go buy a plain Jane beetle?

Your gun and as always your choice, I just wouldn't do it.

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James Redfield
LM #497

I have to assume from your comments that the ring must be soldered or welded to the gun. If so, this makes me even more on the side of those who say to leave it as is. In your previous thread it was suggested that this modification detracts significantly from collector value. I am not sure that it really does if the modification appears to be period and well done because that just adds to uniqueness. If you ever identify Jack D. Cooper and have any plausible reason for him making the modification, it could well increase the value.

You mention a letter. Did the letter say anything beyond shipment to MW Robinson?

Maybe in the absence of a trigger guard, the ring was used by an old time trick shooter to twirl the gun during a fancy shooting demonstration ??????

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James Redfield
LM #497

Most likely that ring was used as a knuckleduster (aka brass knuckle). If one were to grasp the weapon by the top strap with the middle finger through the loop; a non-lethal deterrent would be at hand. However, if the assailant didn't get the message then the defendant could back up the defense with a lethal injection of lead poisoning.

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Mike Maher #283

Hello and thanks to all of you who gave a lot of helpful informations and suggestions. Maybe those are right who say NOT to change anything and leave this unique litte gun as it is. Roy' s letter only confirms shipping to their largest distributor on April 7, 1877 M.W. Robinson Co. The letter also indicates that the gun was nickel plated and had smoth rosewood grips. It was a shipment of 50 units and they were a mix of various finishes, Pearl grips and engraving were handled by Mr. Robinson for the factory to allow faster filling of special orders. These are the informations from the Factory Letter.
So the uncommon ring has, at least to my opnion, been welded in a very professional way to the gun. No uggly marks or anything that disturbs the overall appearance of the gun.
Thanks again to all of you - I'll leave it as it is!
Rainer

My collecting focus is all S&W single action and I would be most proud to have that gun as is in my collection, so I hope you will treasure it more. The individual with John D. Cooper's name posted by JSR III in the other thread sounds very interesting to me and I would be inclined to investigate that more if only to say "possibly attributed to..." Kudos to JSR for finding that; I looked last time and failed to find something like that.

I am a new member and unsure how to ask questions...sorry to interrupt one subject with another,but here it is:
iwill buy a Model 1 Second issue. can I safely fire modern, commercially available .22 short in it? I understand that the weapon must first be mechanically sound, but assuming that it is, is the modern round safe to firein it?

Mr. anbar, NO! 22 shorts are to much power. Best

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Hi,
NEVER EVER FIRE A MODERN .22short CARTRIDGE IN THESE TINY LITTLE GUNS. Even this may sound strange, but the modern .22short is much too powerfull and will wreck the gun.
Regards
Rainer

BB or CB cap ok?

I wouldn't fire any modern ammo in a Model 1. Period.

I know a lot of people will disagree with me (especially when it comes to CB caps, which are essentially primers without a powder charge), but the idea of subjecting a 150 year old gun with paper-thin cylinder walls to modern ballistic pressures is baffling to me.

These guns aren't getting any more common, and I want to do everything in my power to preserve them. That includes resisting the temptation to fire them.

Mike