Help identifying S W Revolver Number 1

buckyjames1 · #1 01-05-2021, 10:34 AM

Attempting to help a friend identify his pistol and possible worth:

1. S &W Revolver #1
2. Serial Number 10XXX
3. Caliber: .32
4. 5 shot
5. Unique: Engraved, possible ivory grips?
*At work at the moment, will add pictures when I get home.

Wiregrassguy · #2 01-05-2021, 10:43 AM

Sorry, but you're going to get a lot of quizzical questions with that description. Pictures are definitely needed.

first-model · #3 01-05-2021, 03:12 PM

If it's a 5 shot revolver in .32, then it's probably a Model 1 1/2 (the Model 1 was a 7 shot .22 caliber revolver). As Guy said, a picture or two will really help.

Mike

glowe · #4 01-05-2021, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by first-model

If it's a 5 shot revolver in .32, then it's probably a Model 1 1/2 (the Model 1 was a 7 shot .22 caliber revolver). As Guy said, a picture or two will really help.

Mike

In addition to the Tip-Up 32 Model 1 1/2, the 32 Single Action and 32 Double Action were also 5 shot revolvers and sometimes called a No. 1 1/2, plus there was a 32 Safety so . . . we have to wait.

BMur · #5 01-05-2021, 04:11 PM

That UNIQUE term is sticking in my head. Pure guess but it might be a C.S.Shattuck 32 Rimfire 5 shot. Who knows?

Murph

buckyjames1 · #6 01-05-2021, 07:32 PM

Here are the photos.
Pretty interesting, been in the family for many years, no one really paid attention or dismissed it as "those old guns".

Was passed down some years ago and sat in a box until me and the owner were having a gun discussion at work.

Soon as he said an old Smith and Wesson, it got my interest, but I was thinking pre locks... not this. Antiques are above my knowledge but it perked my interest in them.

My recommendation to the owner was to get a S/W letter done and see how it goes from there.

first-model · #7 01-05-2021, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckyjames1

Here are the photos.
Pretty interesting "family attic" find.
My recommendation to the owner was to get a S/W letter done and see how it goes from there.

Definitely a Model 1 1/2. The engraving appears to be nicely done too, and the grips are rather unique.

I agree that getting a factory letter is the first step. My haunch is that this won't come back as being factory engraved, though ... probably shipped late in 1865 to Joseph W. Storrs, and that the engraving was commissioned by Storrs to one of the New York houses.

Mike

LittleCooner · #8 01-05-2021, 07:50 PM

An engraved S&W from the late 1860's found in the attic in great shape. Wow. Looking at my standard Catalog, I see similar patterns. Someone found a very valuable gun, a letter is required here, best 100 bucks you can spend to document who did the engraving.

first-model · #9 01-05-2021, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleCooner

... best 100 bucks you can spend to document who did the engraving.

... if the gun was factory engraved, and if the factory records show who engraved it.

To wit: I have a factory engraved Model 1, and the factory records only show that it was sold as a "fancy" gun, but they do not list the engraver.

Fingers crossed for this gun's owner!

Mike

BMur · #10 01-05-2021, 08:26 PM

That’s an amazing heirloom. The engraving is fabulous and is of high quality as are the checkered ivory grips. Research is definitely required for this one!

Murph

mtd1960 · #11 01-05-2021, 11:31 PM

Very nice!
You don’t see many 1 1/2 1st model engraved, many 2nd models.....
Hard to tell, but it may have been silver plated...
Checkered Ivory grips are seldom seen, I think my father had 1 gun out of 175 that had checked ivory grips...
overall very nice piece.

buckyjames1 · #12 01-10-2021, 06:43 PM

Ill update as he progresses the research.
Either way, if its factory or not, the engraving is pretty good

gmborkovic · #13 01-14-2021, 04:07 PM

To bucky, a real beauty. Pls. dont clean or take apart. Just leave it alone.

glowe · #14 01-14-2021, 08:35 PM

I will say maybe silver plate or blue, plus what looks like factory engraving, maybe by F. W. Martin. On page 276 of Neal & Jinks book you will find a Model 1 with a very similar engraving pattern as the OP's gun. Images are not good enough to be sure of the quality of the engraving, but what I see seems very nice indeed!

deadin · #15 01-27-2021, 02:42 PM

And is that a presentation case I see in the background?
If so, and it is an original, it could be worth a pretty penny also.