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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 06-08-2019, 01:18 PM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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Default Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.
The 4th addition says the frame finish is silver plated brass frame w blue barrel & cylinder or full plating in nickel. Have seen a few photos that look like the frame is a blueish / patina. Others look brass? Guessing plate has been removed. Or were any blued? Not a lot of info out there on these. Am guessing in the silver plate turns a dark bluish color. (If thats what I am seeing) And should be left pretty much as is. When you pick one of these up. Just light clean & Ren wax. Its fun being new to these. Have more questions than answers. Thanks for your patience. .



Random samples...









Last edited by MCM; 06-08-2019 at 03:59 PM.
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Old 06-08-2019, 05:05 PM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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One more tip up question....
As many of these models I see have barrel play / barrel wobble.
Do folks / gunsmiths ever try and snug things up with a couple thin shims / washers?
Or better to just leave as is as there not going to be used. ?
Wanted to ask as so many now have movement.
Thanks.
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Old 06-08-2019, 06:03 PM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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MCM, your thoughts on the frame and plating is spot on. Silver plating on a brass frame. Vigorous, prolonged or harsh cleaning and handling will remove the finish leaving the exposed brass. The blue-grey is the silver plate tarnishing (oxidizing to grey-black).

To your follow up question; the barrel hinge is a weak point and wears to the point of a wobble. There are several ways that people tighten the hinge. I'm not sure that I like the first few. The hinge can be shimmed. The 'ears' of the brass frame can be pushed together in a vice. The hinge screw can be tightened. An over-size hinge screw can be made. Or, the center pivot pin in the cylinder can be adjusted. I recommend the latter because shims will be seen and are not authentic; crushing the ears might cause them to crack; when making an over-size screw, one must be able to tap the frame but S&W used Proprietary threads which are not what's available off-the-shelf today, tightening the hinge screw may strip the frame ear and lastly, adjusting the cylinder pin is a matter of turning a screw. While adjusting the pin won't take out all the wobble; it sure helps.
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Old 06-09-2019, 12:05 PM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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Thanks, good info!
Also wanted to also ask, as the movement in many of these is also due to play in the latch. Any tricks adjusting those?
Am just starting out on these, so getting as much info in advance prior to purchase is very helpful!
I am finding it a challenge buying 150+ year old guns. Not sure how to rate things like normal wear & finish issues. As its not at all like buying newer (50 yr and newer) guns. )
Last edited by MCM; 06-09-2019 at 06:46 PM.
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Old 06-10-2019, 10:52 AM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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Adjusting the cylinder pin will remove most of that wobble. The pin pushes forward on the barrel and puts tension on the hinge and latch simultaneously.
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Old 06-10-2019, 11:03 AM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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Any links or info on this adjustment?
Am new to these. Thanks!
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Old 06-10-2019, 12:00 PM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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On the Model 1's and 2's, at the rear of the cylinder there is a hole in the ratchet. The nib on the front of the cylinder is an extension of the cylinder pin that is actually a screw that is in that hole. A hollow ground, properly fitting, standard (slot) screwdriver is used to adjust it. That screw is often rusty and I recommend a good (week long) soaking in Ed's Red prior to attempting to move (adjust) that screw. The screw is an 'interrupt fit' type which means that it will adjust but it will not turn freely.

Since it appears that you are getting hooked on these revolvers; I recommend "Firearms Assembly II, The NRA Guidebook to Handguns". My copy was last printed in 1972. This softbound book has exploded views of these revolvers. I also recommend "Gunsmithing Guns of the Old West" by David R. Chicoine (printed ca. 1993). This softbound book covers the S&W's and gives a "How To" from the Model 1's into the modern Hand Ejectors.
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Old 06-10-2019, 01:23 PM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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Thank you........
Down the rabbit hole I go...........
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Old 06-10-2019, 05:04 PM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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Mike
Good information. I have a couple I will give it a try.
Walt
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Old 06-10-2019, 07:46 PM
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Be advised that the black powder residue gets to that cylinder pin/screw and with the interference threads, this screw is very hard to move. I have snapped my hollow ground (gunsmith) screwdrivers in that screw slot. Also, another word of warning, it is possible to break off a side of that screw head and render the adjustment impossible. And another; the cylinder needs to be held tightly in a vise, BUT NOT SO TIGHTLY AS TO CRUSH THE CYLINDER CHARGE HOLES. I clamp the cylinder so that the vice jaws are pressing on the webs between the holes. Good luck.
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Old 06-10-2019, 09:47 PM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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All great info. Thank you!
Picked up the main (3) I was after over the past couple weeks.
Planning a shadow box for the office. Now to fill in the blanks. Trade up etc.
Off to a decent start. With a lot of help from this forum!
Thanks!

# 6445 / 1862


# 13208 /1866


Todays catch... #20069 / 1861 or 1862? Not sure....




Last edited by MCM; 06-10-2019 at 11:54 PM.
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Old 06-11-2019, 07:39 PM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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I told myself, no plated guns.
And grabbed this one today..........
As it looked way better than most.
I might be ready for some intervention . help. lol lol





Last edited by MCM; 06-11-2019 at 09:23 PM.
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Old 06-11-2019, 08:50 PM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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Nice 1 1/2 New Model. Is it cased?

A cautionary note: once addicted; these WILL multiply up to the point of understanding the theory behind "The Law of Diminishing Returns". I'd guess you will need another 50 or so to begin to understand that concept. I was slow; took a while.
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Old 06-11-2019, 09:16 PM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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Not cased. Am probably paying fair or over market value.
But am having fun. This one was $450.00 + shipping.
Seems like beaters are $250 and anything above this cond. wise is $750 to a grand.
So am happy getting OK examples in the $500 range.
Not a money maker, just selling knives and buying antique guns.
The ratio is about 1-1 / 2-1.........
I can see how this can become dangerous.
No FFL straight to the mail box.........
And can also see how a nice model 1 1st issue could be a tough one to buy.....
Last edited by MCM; 06-12-2019 at 07:48 AM.
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Old 06-13-2019, 12:08 AM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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[QUOTE=MCM;140458210]I told myself, no plated guns.
And grabbed this one today..........
As it looked way better than most.
I might be ready for some intervention . help. lol lol

Nothing wrong with plated guns.
Keep buying the nice ones.
That looks pretty clean.
Last edited by iby; 06-13-2019 at 12:23 AM.
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Old 06-14-2019, 09:42 AM
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Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question. Smith&Wesson, Model 1 ,2nd issue finish question.  
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Will do.
Am just getting into these and trying to get a feel for the market.
Wasn't quite sure what was going on, but after working with a few sellers it seems prices have been falling the past 5-6 yrs on most. And have been told its a great time to get into collecting these.
Dumb luck I guess. (But do feel I am late to the party).............




Last edited by MCM; 06-15-2019 at 01:29 AM.
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