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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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Old 12-19-2016, 09:46 PM
Upstate Bill Upstate Bill is offline
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Hi. I'm trying to get an idea on the value of this Model 11/2 1st issue tip-up revolver SN# 354. Bluing looks good & original (for a 151 yo) , grips look original with good finish, no cracks or scratches. There's a bit of play in the barrel though. No paperwork or box, this came to me from my Grandfather (died: 1961) so I've got little oral history on it. Wondering if it would be worth getting factory paperwork on this, and maybe a ballpark estimate of value. Most "dealers" locally give me guesstimates from $50-$100 range, but I find that suspect. Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
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Old 12-19-2016, 10:44 PM
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Welcome to the Forum. Run away from those dealers and never return. I hate totally dishonest dealers who rip others off and do it with a smile.

Unless refinished, that is a stunning example of a Model 1 1/2 S&W. it was manufactured right as the Civil War was ending and probably shipped in 1865 as well. Less than 30,000 were made and rare to find in pristine condition after 150 years.

Value is only accurately determined with a hands on inspection to determine if the finish is original. I would only guess it could be in the $500 to $700 range if original.
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Old 12-19-2016, 11:10 PM
mmaher94087 mmaher94087 is offline
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I agree with the above. Your local dealers are full of it!!! They are hoping that they can profit from your lack of real-time information. I get really worked up when I hear of these kinds of predators and hope for their early bankruptcy.
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Old 12-20-2016, 09:31 AM
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Welcome to the forum.

Before we go all nuclear on the local dealers, one must remember that we are in love with S&W's here on the forum and particularly antiques in this section. Most dealers are only going to offer someone $.50 on the dollar as they have overhead and are putting out hard cash for something that may sit in their inventory for months if not years.

This may also be compounded by the fact that many small local dealers do not have access to or use the interweb and therefore their audience of buyers is smaller. Many of the younger crowd are into black plastic guns that go bang 15 times and not a 150 year old antique that shoots black powder.

To me, without seeing the gun close up, it is a $400 piece. If it has the rarer short barrel, perhaps $450 to $500. My .02 worth and worth exactly what you paid for it.
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Old 12-20-2016, 10:18 AM
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I will not forgive a dealer for ignorance. Every one of them has a Blue Book, Standard Catalog of Firearms, etc. They all dig out the book and try to work a deal based on real numbers. The SC of Firearms lists the Model 1, 1st Issue in excellent condition as an $800 gun & Very Good $650.

We can argue with the accuracy of these guides, but $50 . . . come on!!!!!
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Old 12-20-2016, 10:48 AM
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Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Bill, is the ejector rod blued or in the white? Beautiful gun, BTW!
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Old 12-20-2016, 11:16 AM
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The ejector rod is definitely a different color than the gun, but we just cannot be certain of original finish with only one picture. Some telltale things I look for is a rounded dome on the hammer stud, pins protruding from the frame, sharp edges to frame and barrel, sharp edge on bottom of the rosewood stocks, and slight wear as evidenced by the area around the trigger spur showing a little use. Often near impossible to remove the hammer stud from a gun and is often buffed flat and there are only a handful of refinishers out there that can pull off such a perfect re-blue.

Hope it turns out to be original and it would be worth while finding someone who can appraise the gun. There are lots of S&W experts along the east coast.
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Old 12-20-2016, 02:17 PM
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You are getting much better information here. That one appears to be in very very good condition. It is common for the barrel latch to have a little play. I wouldn't do a thing to it other than wipe it down with a soft oiled cloth. It looks to be a 3 1/2" barrel, there were just a couple hundred made with 4" barrel.

These are a 4", 3 1/2", and a Second Issue, along with a couple 1 1/2 Center Fire top breaks.

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Old 12-23-2016, 03:40 PM
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That appears to be a beautiful early piece with condition.

Before we crucify all small local dealers, lets think about this for a moment. Most nearly all small local dealers have little or no knowledge of the old Smith & Wessons that we all adore. Their market for such pieces is likely non-existent. Why would they invest top dollar or near top dollar on an antique that is destine to lay under glass in their shop for who knows how long before the right buyer strolls in and gives him a return on his investment ? They have to keep the light bill paid too. Can't fault someone for offering a low price on something they don't necessarily want in the first place. Yes, it insults us sometimes as collectors, but they are simply protecting their business investment. And that is exactly what it is to them. And no, I am not a local gunshop.

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Old 12-23-2016, 03:57 PM
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A nice one .....possibly cold blued ? If it has been the smell is unmistakable .
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Old 12-23-2016, 04:08 PM
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The Mod. 11/2 looks nice from one pic. Agree with above posts about the gun. Having been a dealer, I will bow out of the other part.
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Old 12-23-2016, 05:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by singleshot1891 View Post
. . . Before we crucify all small local dealers, lets think about this for a moment. Most nearly all small local dealers have little or no knowledge of the old Smith & Wessons that we all adore . . .
Sorry, but I say if you know nothing about something, you should not be making ridiculously low offers to buy it. We are not crucifying ALL local dealers, just the crooks. There is not a S&W out there in this condition that is worth anywhere near $50!!!!!! They are pure opportunist that are probably still trying to sell bricks of 22 ammo for $80 at gun shows.
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Old 12-25-2016, 09:22 AM
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Anyone have a Blue book handy? Look up the value of this piece and most LGS would offer 50-60% of that value. The great majority do not know the antique's or pre-war guns, and just go by the book. Usually no where near what the guns is worth.
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Old 12-28-2016, 01:27 AM
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To me, without seeing the gun close up, it is a $400 piece. If it has the rarer short barrel, perhaps $450 to $500. My .02 worth and worth exactly what you paid for it.
In this instance, for this model, the longer barrel is more rare. The short barrel you mention, which was optional on certain tip ups, and is today scarce, is generally only found on the "new model" guns (or later top breaks), IE the model 1 1/2 new model, and the 1st 3rd issue. The old model guns IE the model 1 (1st and 2nd), the model 1 1/2 old model (gun of this thread) and the model 2 did not have the "short barrel" you speak of, but the model 2 was offered with a 4in barrel, and those are very scarce today.
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Old 12-28-2016, 09:56 AM
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Just for clarification purposes, the Model 1 1/2, 1st Issue had two barrel lengths, 3 1/2" and 4". The Model 1 1/2, 2nd Issue had two barrel lengths as well, but they were 2 1/2" and 3 1/2". The rare model as it is often labeled is the New Model 2 1/2" barrel length, followed by the 4" Old Model barrel length.
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