Wonderful Traveling Case!
Lechat,
That is a Fabulous find!
If you will permit me, I'd like to give you my opinion of this most excellent piece?
The first thing I'm seeing is a French Style original "Traveling Case". These were designed for that specific reason. The owner was on the road often and needed a pistol for various reasons. So the piece was definitely carried both in the case and on ones person. So, in my opinion the Gun was definitely cased in France. I can also see the remains of the leather handle strap.
More evidence is seen with the right side of the gun face up? The gun pointing to the right? Distributor cases both Traveling and wood desk top cases manufactured in the USA the vast majority of the ones I've seen over the years the gun points to the left with the left side face up. Also, the oiler and cartridges are obviously European(Paris) and fit the case perfectly.
So, that's just more proof that it's a European cased Smith & Wesson early model 1 1/2 in 32 rimfire.
Let's also remember that the finest art originates from Europe. Paintings etc. So when I look at the elegant engraving it follows a European pattern in my opinion. The very distinct boarder surrounding the swirl vine engraving? Also the clam shell on the backstrap? I've seen this style on both Young engraved and European so that's kind of a dead end.
The grips in my opinion have been replaced. I think the original grips were likely Pearl or Ivory and were badly damaged from use over the many years of being carried while traveling about.
We can go further with the evaluation if you remove the grips and look for Distributor stamps. Number and Letters stamped under the grips on the iron frame? If you're lucky there might be a name stamped there?
Also, what would work in your favor as far as a Factory engraving? If there are "NO" proof marks on the cylinder "in the flutes" or on the frame, barrel? Please look closely.
Very lovely piece. Congratulations on finding this one!
My gut feeling on this one is that it was sent to a Distributor in France and the work was performed there only because it looks more like a custom full coverage class A' type engraving (individual order) instead of a contract engraving that involves several guns ordered by a Distributor in France based on a fixed design pattern from the factory via contract , but I'd like to see more information on the grip frame stamps and any proof marks before I commit to that position. European engravers liked to sign their work. "Show offs"!
Murph
