#2 Army ,one of 50

[moosedog]

Number 28309, assembly # 119, all matching . One of 50 that were shipped to J.W. Storrs of New York City, New York on August 22 1864. Obviously started out as a Yankee gun.
I wish it could talk about where it went from there. I bought it from Trapper Gun in Roseville Michigan in 2007. Old Trap couldn't remember where he took it in at, said he had it for years.
Anyone else have an Army that went to Storrs?

 

[seinen]

No, but I have one that went to Yokosuka Japan in 1869.

C/

 

[opoefc]

J.W.Storrs was S&Ws principal agent. The majority of Model 2 Army shipments were to him. S&W was very good about insisting that guns for retail sale were only shipped
to their agents. If you wanted a S&W, you ordered it through their agents. Did you send the info. on # 28309 to Ron Curtis for the model 2 data bank? Ed.

 

[moosedog]

Did you send the info. on # 28309 to Ron Curtis for the model 2 data bank? Ed.

Sure did. Thanks.
Isn't this the one you carried at Gettysburg Ed?

 

[gunlovingirl]

Looks like a nice one! I've been wanting one for quite awhile. Missed out on one about a year ago that was in really nice shape and reasonably priced. They aren't easy to find with lower serial numbers and in decent shape. At least in my experience.

 

[H Richard]

I've been wanting one of those also, but those I see are priced above my budget. I was able to find a 1 1/2 RF 1st Issue, which shipped in Jan 1866, which no indication of ever having been fired. There is no handling wear to the blue on the grip frame, but the barrel and cylinder have faded to a patina. I was told that's because the difference in the steel between the frame and the barrel/cylinder.

 

[opoefc]

The Model 2s are a gun that has been mostly overlooked in the past by collectors, in my opinion. They are a definate piece of Civil War history, although never a contract military procured arm. Some Regiments purchased their own ( Kentucky Cavalry, etc) and 1,000s were bought by individual soldiers. Roy Jinks & Ron Curtis are currently working on the definitive tome on Model 2s, so when that is published their history will be fully revealed and values will climb. Ron's web page links to his classfication of the various engineering changes over the production life. I have the prototype Model 2 in my collection and it's interesting to ponder what went on in D.B.Wesson's mind that produced the Model 2. My assumption is that the Civil War made a demand for a more potent version of the Model One. So what should it be? The prototypes measurements indicate that a Model One drawing was increased by about a factor of 1.6 and the prototype was hand made by D.B. to see what developed. The grip frame was too small for easy gripping of the gun, so it was increased by 3/8th in. in length and grips made 50% wider. Other dimensions were left about the same, with minor changes. Sutle engineering and manufacturing changes occured throughout the production life, so a diehard Model 2 collector has many examples to look for. Ed.
(PS: MooseDog, Your Model 2 was not what I carried at Gettyburg. Us Southern gentlemen preferred a more honorable weapon while defeating Yankees, such as a nice LeMat .44/12 ga. ! )

 

[Utah.44]

Model 2 Army 5"

I have a model 2 Army 5" also from J.W. Storrs serial number is in 31xxx range. it was carried in Civil War by one of my wifes relatives. Shipped from S&W Dec. 23 1864.
I amnot aware of Ron Curtis' #2 data bank.How do I contact him?

Utah.44

 

[opoefc]

Ron Curtis' web page is Smith and Wesson Model 2 Army Revolver Great info. om Model 2s, etc. Ed.

 

[Utah.44]

Thanks Ed. I will check it out.

 

[pace40]

CAUTION

I've only found 2 models of Smith & Wessons that seem to be able to procreate in the safe, M&Ps & Model 2 Armys.

Nice find.

 

[twaits]

My model 1 1/2 went to Storrs, but I gather that this is a common starting point for many of these early S&Ws:

 

[mmaher94087]

moosedog, nice find.
seinen, a bunch went to Japan. I have Hiroshima, Yokohama and Shimaneken Perfectures.
H Richard, although not a #2, if that 1 1/2 has a 4 inch barrel, it is rather rare.
utah.44, as Ed said, please send your #2 Army info to Ron Curtis as these #2 Army revolvers have been overlooked. Mike #283

 

[Tom Town]

Model 2 Army

Moosedog,
I'm new to the forum, but I noticed your post. I have a Model 2 Army I inherited from my father. It was manufactured very close to the time yours was. It too has all matching numbers, and I have a letter from S&W saying that mine (S/N 286xx) shipped to J.W. Storrs on August 26, 1864, and was part of a shipment of 75 units. Seems they were going out at a pretty good pace.

 

[moosedog]

Welcome aboard Tom. That sounds like a neat gun.
We would love to see pictures of it. If you have a hard time posting them, give me a PM and i'll see if I can help.

 

[EdwardM]

I have serial number 6696 that letters as being shipped ("probably") on August 15, 1862 to Storrs. One of 25 units in that shipment.

Certainly wish I knew more of its' history from that time on.

Ned

 

[handejector]

Did you send the info. on # 28309 to Ron Curtis for the model 2 data bank? Ed.

Sure did. Thanks.
Isn't this the one you carried at Gettysburg Ed?

He couldn't have carried that one- it shipped after the B of G.
He carried another one.

 

[StanBatonRouge]

#2 Old Army cylinder stop spring

I am a new member and still stumbling around on the site. I saw a posting that had the word "Rescue" and Old Army in the title. The member spoke of a #2 Old Army parts kit. I've been trying to locate a cylinder stop spring without any luck. I'd like to communicate with anyone who can tell me how to find the comment about the parts kit or any information about locating a spring. Thanking you in advance for your help.

 

[opoefc]

Stan, Welcome to the Forum. I'm unaware of the posting you cite, or anyone offering a #2 Old Army parts kit. Those of us who have a stash of Model 2 parts, hold on to them as they are hard to come by. Popert's Gun Parts has quite a few S&W parts, but whether he has any #2 Army parts, I don't know. The spring you need is fairly simple to make, and if you have the broken parts of the old spring to copy, and basic skills in heating and tempering springs, it can be done using a piece of old alarm clock mainspring. Otherwise, plan B is to look for a junker Model 2, or Model 1 1/2, with a good cylinder stop spring to salvage. Good Luck, Ed.

 

[mmaher94087]

I'd bet that stan.. 's broken spring is not the cylinder stop spring but rather the "split spring"??? As Ed said, the flat leaf cylinder stop spring is fairly simple to make. The split spring is near impossible. Good luck either way.