Were any Model 2 Tip-Ups made with rounded grips? Or Bird head grips?

If you mean the 32RF "old Army" #2, I don't believe so, but the way the description is written in the SCSW4, ("smooth rosewood grips on a square butt frame were standard"). Page 80 SCSW4. It might be interpreted as the possibility of other than square butt were possible (but not mentioned).

I don't believe so, and that that statement was in relation only to the "rosewood grips" as standard.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

It is possible that a Model 1 1/2 in .32 RF has been mistakenly represented as a Model 2. Model 2 = six charge holes in the cylinder. Model 1 1/2 = five holes. Fluted cylinder, round barrel 1 1/2 or smooth cylinder and octagonal barrel Model2??

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Mike Maher #283

I wouldn’t be in the least Bit surprised to see a period copy with a birds head grip frame or even a modified original #2 Army machined( altered) to birdshead grip.

Murph

I'd bet good money that there were a few prototypes (or "lunch box specials") made with round grips, but who knows if they'll ever see the light of day.

Mike

I've had several Model 2 Army models with rounded grips and modified grip frames , but all were after market modifications . I've never seen one that lead me to believe it was factory. I still have one of the modified round butt Model 2s, with a 3 in. barrel & chopped hammer spur - made into a boot gun by the Pinkerton detective that used it to kill John Younger in a gun fight - the first Younger gang member killed by law enforcement. Ed.

Ed,
Please! Dig that one out and post a photo! That’s Historic!

Murph

According to specialists, the n2 only exists in the configuration that we all know, but some later modifications exist.

I presented two copies last year.
They are perfectly identical, and have a second set of assembly numbers. this means that a number of them have been modified , but nobody knows who modified them.
since then I have no more information.
The photographs of other copies would be interesting

Attached Images

n2 2.jpg (164.1 KB, 85 views)

I'm a dinosaur & and haven't a clue how to post a photo here, even if I had a photo, but I can bring the gun to the 2020 S&WCA Tulsa Symposium "Show & Tell" for anyone who want's to inspect it. It came to my family yrs ago from a relative who was a Pinkerton descendent. It's well worn but has "character" Ed.
(PS:Bibain, Your two S&Ws are Model 1 1/2, 2nd models. Not Model 2s. There are a couple of this model known, found in France with a French dealer name on them, that are in .41RF caliber. Possibly copies )

I would really like to see a photo without the grips?

Ed, does your example have an octagonal barrel or the round barrel as shown above? Six shot? This is new territory for me. I'm intrigued by a six shot fluted cylinder.

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Mike Maher #283

MHF here is my post (it will be more complete)

n2 new model ?
posted 03-20-2019

There is a question:
The n1 3 issue was manufactured from 1868/1869
The n1 ½ 2 issue was manufactured from 1869
The n2 was manufactured until around 1872/1874
Why did the n2 not have, like the n1 and n1 ½, this same modernization in the years 1869/70

Mike, It's an early 3 pin Model 2, octagonal barrel cut to 3 1/2 in. with small brass front sight dovetailed into barrel rib, hammer spur shortened, heel of grip frame & grips ground down to round, toe of grip frame unchanged, 6 shot .32RF caliber. Mechanically so-so now and finish is dull gray. No rust or pitting, to speak of. This gun probably saw Civil War use and was modified post war, perhaps by Cap't Lull, the Pinkerton detective who shot & killed John Younger. The rounding of the heel of the grip frame was done by grinding off metal, no cutting or rewelding. Ed.

Ed,
I’d by happy to post the photos for you if you’d like?
You can take photos with a smart phone any text them to me. I can then post them. I can PM you my cell #. I’d sure like to see a photo of this historic piece.


Murph

Murph, I don't have a smart phone. Just a couple tomato cans with a long string between them ! Pls. See PM. Ed

Mike, I'm with you. Likely the original guns, now defined as #2s, are more likely and actually 1+1/2s. Now I have to go pull out my 1 +1/2s later today.

Of course, there could be a few #2 Army's converted to the bird's head grip and / or to look like a 1 +1/2 ... but "why" ? I don't see the sense in it.

If you look closely at a few of the comparatives put up, the frames appear different in places that if modified would seem to require cutting the gun in 1/2 and re-welding. No, I'm not convinced that either is a modified #2 Army. Seems just a little too much to the "far" side for me to be convinced.

Although ... Ed has seen a few modifications in his day. That, I accept as credible, however, that aside ... I think "this" thread may have likely just took off with a mistaken Model identification.


All the best, Sal Raimondi

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

All very interesting, especially the .41 with the curved grip in the other post.
I'm with others in i'd like to see the Pinkerton guns mods?