A 1-1/2 Is Better Than None

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


Forgive the corny title of this thread.

I have a 1-1/2 first model in nickel that appears to be all original
but the assembly/fitting code on the cylinder is difficult to read.
I think it is due to a combination of a weak strike and corrosion
that obscure the details from being readable.

Look at the pics and tell me what you-all think.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


Here are some better close ups of the related parts.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[mmaher94087]

Wow, other than the right grip splinter that's missing, nice revolver. The cylinder code is difficult to read. Have you tried 10X, or higher, magnification? The finish on the parts appears period correct, and I see no indication of a renickel. And, yes, I know the hammer and trigger are usually case colored, but these old plated revolvers had everything plated, hammer, trigger, etc.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


Thanks for the positive assessment! I have tried my 10X loop but
it doesn't bring anymore detail out that one can see in the pics.

I've wondered about the originality of the nickel finish. I think it
is either a factory plating job or a dealer/distributor done job.

The stop bolt and the trigger are not nickeled and I assume were
left in their case colors (there isn't any nickel on them anywhere).
The interesting thing is the hammer was not plated from the pivot
hole downward. This makes sense because nickel in the sear notch
would change the cocking distance and would be prone to chipping
and flaking in that area. Also, plating would make the pivot hole
smaller in diameter. This is one of the reasons I think it is a factory
job.

One other interesting item is the trigger has the same fitting number
as the other parts. I haven't heard of this before. Have others out
there seen this?


Cheers!
Webb

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


This is how I see it. The bottom of the 4 is barely visible at this
time on the cylinder. It was a weak strike and the punch was held
at an angle (so the bottom of the number made a deeper impression).

Of course, this may just be "wishful thinking." What do you think?


Cheers!
Webb

 

[mmaher94087]

I've never paid attention to the assembly number associated with the trigger. Nor have I paid attention to the hammer plating or cylinder stop lack of plating. My only worry was to make sure the cylinder stop worked as these hammer actuated cylinder stops were very fragile.

Because of the overall condition, I wonder if this revolver was part of a cased pair, and the PO switched the cylinders? It was not uncommon for cased (probably distributor cased) revolvers to have a second cylinder.

As far as the plating, it was (is) believed that the plated guns were plated by the distributor, and I believe that most were plated by them. I have a 1st Model, 1st Issue, 1st Type (SN 162) that is full plate that lettered with a note in the shipping records as "plate pistol". This indicates that the S&W factory would send a revolver out for plating prior to shipping.

 

[mmaher94087]

Webb, it appears legit to my eyes. The fitter wasn't concerned about what collectors would think in 140 years. Nice Old Model 1 1/2!

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


I've never considered that this might have been part of a cased
pair of revolvers. It isn't out of the realm of possibility.

The code could have been "00" with one of the zeros badly placed
or the first strike of the "0" was misplaced (half way off the cylinder)
and the fitter re-stamped it. I think a case could be made for either.

If the code is "00", this would support the idea that the cylinder
was swapped with it partner in the cased set. Then again, it could
have been swapped at the Plater's (if they were working on more
than one 1-1/2 at the time).

But in the mean time, I'll cling to my straws.

I do plan to repair the right-hand grip panel. I've picked up some
rosewood scraps and a couple of the pieces have the same color
and grain structure as the grips so at a future point, I will re-pair
the grips.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[Patbar]

...............................................................
And, yes, I know the hammer and trigger are usually case colored, but these old plated revolvers had everything plated, hammer, trigger, etc.

I have 12 nickeled antique guns (4 S&W, 4 Remingtons,3 Colts, 1 Merwin & Hulbert) and all have the hammer and trigger case hardened. So when I see a gun with all parts nickeled, I say that it has been refinished.

 

[glowe]

The configuration of your revolver is what is called a "full plate". It was done by S&W in the early days, but very seldom. Full plate means the gun shipped with a plated trigger and hammer, no case coloring. I have seen a few 1800s factory order papers that stated as such for this or that and other early models. Many say that the trigger and hammer were originally fit so tight that plating could affect the operation?? I once bought a nickel Model 1 1/2 that was full plate from Jim Supica. He stated that, in his opinion, it appeared factory original. Never lettered the gun, so no proof either way. To complicate lettering early guns, it is reported that a factory fire once destroyed many shipping records.

No doubt the cylinder is original.

 

[H Richard]

Really nice condition. I have a fondness for all the old 1 1/2's.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


There is every possibility that my revolver was refinished but the
condition and the sharpness of edges and legends confer the fact
that this revolver was plated while still in like new condition. This
is why I believe it was done when it was new either by the Factory
or by the distributor.

One thing to remember is there are no absolutes when it comes
to S&W. During the period this 1-1/2 was made, nickel plating
had not reached the level of high demand that was seen in the
1880's. Most of the small caliber top breaks (.22, .32 and .38)
were nickel plated (with a 8 or 10 to one nickel to blue ratio).
I haven't seen that many of the first issue 1-1/2's in nickel.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[mmaher94087]

Out of five 1st Issue Model 1 1/2's that came through the door, only one was nickel plated and it was English cased with gold washed hammer and cylinder. I still have a transition that is nickel plated as I have seen only one and I bought it.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

I still have a transition that is nickel plated as I have seen only one and I bought it.

I would like to see that one.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[mmaher94087]

Webb, while looking for the photos of the nickel Transition I came across a photo of the OM 1 1/2 that is cased and nickel Here's photos of both.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There

Webb, while looking for the photos of the nickel Transition I came across a photo of the OM 1 1/2 that is cased and nickel Here's photos of both.

Thanks for showing them to us (me).


Cheers!
Webb