A Herd of S&W Model 1's

[first-model]

Took this photo today and thought it would be fun to share. With the exception of the exceedingly rare 1st Issue, 1st Variant, this is a complete set of Model 1's from the 2nd Variant through to the curved side plate 2nd Issue.

(back row: 1-1-5, 1-1-6, 1-2 straight side plate, 1-2 curved side plate)
(front row: 1-1-2, 1-1-3, 1-1-4, 1-1-5)

Mike

 

[PALADIN85020]

WOW! Very nice collection. Some of us poor souls have to be happy with just one!

John

 

[first-model]

WOW! Very nice collection. Some of us poor souls have to be happy with just one!

Thanks John. Nice looking Model 1 you've got there.

There's a lot of other Smith & Wessons that I don't own, in service of building out my Model 1 collection. It's not complete (yet), but it is well on its way.

Mike

 

[merl67]

So that's where they all went lol...nice collection thanks for brightening a dreary day !

 

[raljr1]

So that's what "collectors" do.....

 

[first-model]

So that's what "collectors" do.....

We "collect?"

Mike

 

[glowe]

Very nice collection Mike. Lots of round bodys in your pic. Are there any 1-1-1s out there? I have an image and notes from a 2003 Morphy Auction, where the gun sold for $19,550!!!

 

[CQB27]

I know nothing about those guns.....but what a lovely picture!

 

[OLDSTER]

I'm ignorant and completely uninformed regarding these real cool old revolvers. But I sure enjoy seeing them on the forum. Nice collection Mike.

 

[glowe]

What remains great about these is that, with the correct ammunition, you can still shoot them. After 160 years, my Model 1s shoot just as they were
designed to using CB or BB 22 Shorts, still made by CCI.

 

[H Richard]

Congrat's ! That wasn't easy to put together. I can imagine how long it took. This is a set of #1's I put together that took me many years, (but I wasn't looking that hard).

 

[gmborkovic]

WOW! 20K for a 1-1-1! Anybody got one with pics?

 

[first-model]

Very nice collection Mike. Lots of round bodys in your pic. Are there any 1-1-1s out there? I have an image and notes from a 2003 Morphy Auction, where the gun sold for $19,550!!!

I have first hand knowledge of at least four 1-1-1's, and second hand knowledge of several more.

Mike

 

[altbrewer]

A 1-1-1 went for over $40,000 at a Rock Island Auction last September. Serial number 5.

 

[robrossk]

Very nice collection. Thanks for sharing. I will keep my eye out.

 

[PALADIN85020]

For those who might be interested, here's a partially disassembled view of my model 1 second issue from August of 1866. The stocks number to the gun.

John

 

[first-model]

Congrat's ! That wasn't easy to put together. I can imagine how long it took.

Nine years and counting.

The funny thing is, I found my 1-1-2 (arguably the rarest of the lot) at a farm auction in North Carolina. Paid a pittance for it because I was in the right place at the right time, and nobody else in attendance knew what it was.

Great finds are still out there waiting to reward diligent collectors.

Mike

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I held First First First serial number 11 many times. Legend has it that it was D B Wesson's personal piece. It belonged to a since passed member. It now lives with a SWCA member in Texas.

 

[mtd1960]

First first

Thought I would share some pics of my first first-3, this was restored from my late Father's parts box in mid the 90's. He challenged me to make something of it.
We repaired the barrel, hinge on frame, mfg the side plate, grips, cyl bolt, hammer spur, cylinder plate/ratchet, springs etc. Dave Burghoff had an original hammer.
It now functions as it should.

Then I wanted a gutta purcha case and couldn't afford that either. Vern Ecklund gave me a pair of panels ( i think he made these for SWCA trophies at one time) for Christmas and he also challenged me to make something from them. I made the rest of the case from maple including the bullet block, mfg the hinges and catches. Dave Burghoff made me the top impressed velvet liner, and we used old velvet dress fabric from Salvation Army.

Thought the group might like to see this project and story.
Happy New Year to all and hopefully 2021 will be better!
Michael Duffy

 

[mtd1960]

First first

Some pics of the gutta purcha case and the modified pistol case to transport the gutta purcha case to shows