Appreciate any details regarding this revolver and the value. It is in great condition, although can barely read "manf for Smith & Wesson" on barrel and "patented 1855 and 1860" on cylinder.

Attached Images

IMG_0595.jpg (39.7 KB, 119 views)

Welcome to the Forum. The gun is not a S&W, but I would be interested in seeing a close-up of the stamping. Appears to be a rimfire revolver. Hopefully, someone will recognize the maker.

The manufactured for Smith & Wesson might also indicate a patent infringement gun that had to pay royalties to S&W for the use of one of their active patents at the time. Most likely the bored through cylinder patent.

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

Thanks very much. Looking again, it looks to also say "Moore's Pat Fire Arms Co". Do you recognize that manufacturer?
So this is not really a Smith & Wesson?

The Moore's Patent Firearms Single Action Belt Revolver (a.k.a. "Seven Shooter") was made from 1861 to 1863 with an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 manufactured. The guns were fitted with a 4, 5, or 6 inch octagon barrel, seven shot cylinder, removable ejector rod mounted under the barrel, square butt with walnut grips, silver plated brass frame and handle with decorative broad scroll engraving standard, and the barrel/cylinder swing to the right for loading and unloading. These were a popular competitor to the Smith & Wesson cartridge revolvers, the Moore had a short life due to its loss of an infringement suit brought by Smith & Wesson.

Check the title link for more info.

That's a very nice looking old revolver. As far as value I have no clue but there is one on Gunbroker right now starting at $799.99

Bruce

Bruce... I've been telling people it has a hexagon barrel, just counted, you are right it is octagon LOL. It is a seven shot with a 5 inch barrel, although it doesn't look to have ever had anything mounted under it.

Appreciate the information! Not looking to sell, although interesting to know the history and value. Thank you!

Pretty interesting early post Mr. NotSoMuch, so thanks and welcome. In addition to the info given by Bruce, Flayderman's Guide(p. 497) says the Moore SA Belt revolver fired .32 rimfire rounds, interesting since it is a 7-shooter. FG says it was purchased by quite a few Union officers for backup, which would make it a competitor of the S&W No. 2, a contemporary 32 rimfire also favored by Union officers.

FG (9th Edn) says the value for "Good" is $450 then up to $1400 for "Fine." There is a 20-40% premium if barrel is marked "MF'D FOR SMITH & WESSON." Yours, however, appears to be missing the ejector rod and that would definitely affect value.

The reason for the "made for Smith & Wesson" stamping on these revolvers, and some other makers, is that they lost in Court when S&W sued them for infringement on the Rollin White patent, and were required to stamp their revolvers with that stamping and turn the revolvers over to S&W. You may see other revolvers. mechanically identical, but with no maker's marks, or other names like "Pond" etc. Ed.

Obviously i didn't know what I was looking for. Attached photo- now see where the rod would have been, bummer. Do appreciate everyone's wisdom!

Attached Images

IMG_0738.jpg (261.7 KB, 63 views)

This link should be of interest to you, since it is the same model Moore's revolver.

http://www.forgottenweapons.com/moor...volver-at-ria/

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

Gary, hey that is a great video, thanks so much! I haven't been able to get the cylinder out, but after watching the video I learned that the cylinder AND barrel both rotate out. I had been pushing on just the cylinder while holding barrel.
Obviously I know little about guns, but was smitten by this little pistol I found while cleaning out my Dad's house. The video reinforced the coolness of it, as the expert also thinks it's pretty neat!

Everyone been so helpful, what a nice group. I might post another long gun I found which has no markings.

Top in the pic is an S&W Model 1 second issue (.22) and bottom is a Lowell Arms revolver, also .22. The Lowell is like yours NotSoMuch in that it is marked "Made for Smith&Wesson by Lowell Arms" on the barrel rib. S&W used a patent for the bored through cylinder originally issued to Rollin White. White had an arrangement with S&W but I think he wanted to make some poppers under his own name and that ran afoul of S&W's control of his patent. There are some guns that look just like the Lowell that are marked with Rollin White's name. It is interesting that, being solid frame with a loading gate, the White-Lowell type might be thought an improvement over the S&W. Not all of them had an ejector rod. No matter, they didn't last long. I think the Whites and Lowells are thought to be more valuable than a regular S&W No. 1 2nd or 3rd issue. I know I had to pay more for the one in the pic than for the S&W.

Very interesting McShooty. They look so much alike, yet obviously the name Smith & Wesson doesn't always have the highest value. Obviously, S&W doesn't care- they get more benefit from controlling the patents! Thanks.

Just an aside, but I seem to recall that it wasn't S&W that defended the patent, but rather Rollin White, the actual inventor. Part of the deal he made with S&W when they bought the patent rights was that he would defend the patent in case of infringement. (I understand that he spent a good portion of his royalties in court....)

__________________
Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

I agree with Dean regarding the patent infringements. That is why S&W was making money by the boat load and poor Rollin White was spending most of his time and capital defending the patent in court. Very clever on the part of Messrs. S&W although not very sporting of them. They died rich and Mr. White died a poor man.

__________________
James Redfield
LM #497