[/B]Hello everybody! It's some time ago that I looked into the forum. This mainly of private reasons (My beloved wife passed away unexpected). So my interest was on a very low level. Now, that I'm feeling better, I had a look for some nice old guns. I found a wonderful model 1 - 1st issue, S/N 4437,all numbers matching. The grips have the number on the right and on the left side. The markings on the cylinder are a little hard to read, but they are there (2 patent dates) plus S/N. There is also a 1 and a 6 or 9, depending on how you look at it. I guess these are assemling numbers. According to my literature this is the 5th type of number 1-1. Barrel is steel with a light patina and no blue. The frame is brass with no further finish. I always read that the frame should be of brass and silver plated. It's hard to believe for me that this frame was plated because it is completely plain brass, even in the last corners of the frame . How could somebody remove the silver plating without any trace s left? Even in the standard catalog a 1-1 s pictured (page 75) with a plain brass frame. Has there ever been a silver plating?
I'm very happy to find this little old beauty in Germany. There are not many and if you find one they are in poor condition. I would grade this one as FINE. Any objections? Any further informations would be appreciated. Thanks, Rainer

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I send you my deepest sympathy for your loss and welcome back. That's a beautiful example of a 1st Model! I don't have the expertise to advise you on the gun. However, we have several true experts here that can certainly help you.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Every Model 1, 1st Issue that I've ever seen lettered shipped from the factory with a silver plated frame.

The original silver plating on these guns wasn't all that thick, and it seemed to wear off quickly on a lot of these guns. And, I'm going to guess that someone polished this gun at some point. I notice that the edges around the side plate and the corners of the barrel are gently rounded, which suggests that someone used a buffing wheel (or some other abrasive polisher) on this gun. That could easily remove what was left of the plating.

Here's another example of a 1-1-5 (very close in serial number to yours) that is also missing its silver plating. I would guess that the same thing happened to this gun: a combination of wear to the finish and some sort of polishing job:

Antique Arms, Inc. - Smith and Wesson Model 1, 1st Issue Revolver with Ivory Grips

The idea of leaving a gun "as it is" and not over-restoring it wasn't always the approach that gun collectors took to their collection.

That said, you've still got a nice example of a rare piece.

Mike

The silver plating on the #1's is actually pretty thick IMO.
Most examples have much more silver than bluing.
Your's have been vigorously cleaned.
It is still an attractive piece

I totally agree that all should have been silver plate. Most were half/plate, but some Model 1s were full plate, with barrel, cylinder, and frame finished. I have to ask a question here? Why not silver plate the frame? Looks like it still has a pretty good surface after whoever cleaned it up many years ago. Silver plating is not all that expensive and I look at this as being something that helps bring the gun back to factory finish appearance. Can't hurt the value and I think it would actually raise the value if well done.

My larger problem is the hammer not being original and the spur part will never be found. The gun will never be Fine by any grading standard, since it does not have any finish on the frame or the barrel/cylinder.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

I can speak only for myself ... but I'd consider adding this gun to my collection as it sits. If the frame was silver plated, then it'd be a hard pass for me.

Plating over the rounded edges on the side plate won't look good.

Just my opinion, of course.

Mike

Welcome to the Forum. Yes, your gun was originally silver plated, however from yrs of observation of the S&W Model 1s, I believe the silver plating on the 1st variations was very thin as easily wore off. I suspect the factory noticed this and the Model 1s, 2nd variation have much thicker silver plating on their frames. You, never the less, have a nice example of a 1-1-5. My empathy for your loss as I also recently lost a beloved spouse. Ed

My sympathies for your loss. Yes, as others have mentioned, all the #1 1st issues were silver plated but usually found worn thin or off. Here's a picture of a #1 1st issue, 3rd type I had showing a fair amount of silver remaining.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Even though the Silver Plate is gone, the fact that the brass frame has not been buffed recently and shows a dull patina finish is a plus in my way of thinking.

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Mike Maher #283

Thank you for all the information and the kind words regarding my loss. I have added another image to my orignal report. I found this only after having another look at the gun. It is behind the hammer on the top end of the brass frame and looks like a HS inside a W. Does anybody know what this means? Thanks - Rainer

I am not familiar with the marking, but do not believe it has any factory source. It could be an aftermarket individual marking. It may be an individuals initials. It could have been mine (if the S was an R).

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244