I recently acquired a Model No. 1, first issue, sn: 5999. The problem is the cylinder will not revolve when the hammer is cocked. What rotates the cylinder and can anyone suggest a repair, or is repair no longer possible?

Welcome to the Forum. Chances are that a small spring may be broken that pushes the cylinder hand forward through a slot in the recoil shield. Take the cylinder out and look at the recoil shield. the hand should be protruding through the slot and that engages the star on the rear of the cylinder. Cock the hammer and watch for the hand to move in the slot. If there is nothing happening, remove the sideplate and look to see if the hand is even inside the revolver. Here is a schematic for a Model 1, 2nd that might help identify the parts.

Attached Images

Model 1 2nd Issue Schematic.jpg (74.7 KB, 186 views)

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

Hello bro, nice little Smith, have a few myself. My view is if the side plate and screw head are perfect, I leave it alone. Why bother, you arent going
to shoot it. And it does not matter to any onelse.

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I agree with Mike. However, to see if it is the spring, point the revolver at the floor and cock the hammer while watching the cylinder. If it revolves then the spring is the problem. If not the hand and possibly the spring are suspect. I recommend carefully removing the stocks and liberally spraying the mechanism with an aerosol solvent that has a little spray tube. Old oil and gunk may be the problem. Then re-oil with an aerosol oil such as Rem-oil.

__________________
Mike Maher #283

A picture?

Serial number 5999 would almost certainly be a Model 1, 1st Issue, 6th Variant. These were first guns that did away with the rotating recoil shield, and instead just had a hand that engaged a toothed gear on the back of the cylinder.

Does your gun still have an intact hand? It's possible that it's just stuck and not engaging properly with the cylinder. Or it could be missing.

The diagram above is for a second issue gun, which has some differences from your 1-1-6. But look at parts 18t and 20t, which should be pretty similar on your gun.

Mike

I've posted some pics. I see the toothed gear that is part of the rear face of the cylinder, but no evidence of how that is stepped or driven.

Attached Images

	IMG_1193.jpg (35.8 KB, 53 views)
	IMG_1194.jpg (51.7 KB, 43 views)

I'm a new member. How do I access the diagram you mentioned?

Here's a pic of the gun. Its been professionally restored.

Attached Images

IMG_1190.jpg (57.9 KB, 68 views)

Thank you for the welcoming. I see parts 18t and 20t but will have to remove the stocks to get a better look. I can't see any evidence of them from the outside. Will get a chance to do this later tonight. Thank you for your help!!!!

Here's a picture of my 1-1-6's hand (I circled it in red). As I cock the hammer, the hand moves upwards and engages with the gear on the back of the cylinder.

Does your gun not have that?

Mike

The restoration is not the best and maybe the owner did not realize that this model was sliver plated brass and rosewood stocks, unless those stocks are ivory which were not common, but available. Also, I do not believe that the hammer was ever blued on originals.

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

So a question if i may?
I have a 1 with Sabre type latch, the recoil shield, and star type cyl gear. Serial #2xx. What designation would it be

Can you post a photo of it? Probably a Model 1, 1st Issue, 2nd Type.

Mike

1 Attachment 582014can try!

Attached Images

02DFB60D-FEC1-4C2C-9CB4-9B0F8140A452.jpg (87.7 KB, 51 views)

1 Attachment 582014can try!

Yup, that's a Model 1, 1st Issue, 2nd Variant. It has the bayonet catch (making it a 1st or 2nd) but doesn't have the dovetail pin holding the recoil shield in place that was unique to the 1st variant guns.

Neat piece. The earliest known 1-1-2 serial number is 202. I know of that, and four other guns in the 2XX serial number range.

By the way ... the 1-1-2's predate the thermoplastic (gutta percha) cases by about a year.

Mike

I'll agree with Mike though he doesn't need reinforcement to his post. I'll add the fact that the dealers were supplying the gutta percha (thermo plastic) cases, so it is possible to find early revolvers in later production cases.

__________________
Mike Maher #283

The image on the gutta percha case is of a 1st 1st model without the bayonet catch

This is a 1, 1, 3rd that I formerly had. Before (as found), and after some minimal cleaning. (Sorry, shouldn't have but just couldn't stand the dirty look).



I did not enhance the bluing on the barrel, it was that good.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Every time I look at these old Mod-1s as an engineer and machinist, Im amazed at the quality and precision they tuned out with steam driven machinery. Belts and wheels spinning overhead. With no AC. Those were a tough generation.

__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

They were.

S&W had a steam engine (12 horsepower, if I remember correctly) with belts and lineshafts to drive some of their lathes and mills. But the final shaping of the Model 1, 1st Issue frames was still done by hand.

Once in a while I'll stare at one of these early guns for a good long while, and I'll wonder just whose handiwork I'm holding. It really is a work of art.

Mike