Looking for info on my other inherited revolver

[swloginun]

Here are the characteristics for this tip-up:

1) Serial number: 5714
2) Visible hammer
3) Caliber unknown
4) Barrel length: 6"
5) Fixed sights

Would love to have feedback on condition (as best determined via photos), value and any other interesting info. Thanks in advance.

 

[deadin]

It appears to be a very nice early No.2 Old Army in .32 Rimfire. With that serial, if it is a S&W, it was made 1861-62. What are the barrel rib markings?
(I ask because there were some very close European made copies of this model.)

 

[swloginun]

I'm a rookie at identifying firearms - didn't expect there were other possible manufacturers. Top of barrel reads "Smith. &. Wesson., Springfield, Mass." Note dots after Smith, &, Wesson and Mass. Guessing it's an unintentional manufacturing imprint, but I'm a rookie remember.

 

[deadin]

Looks like you have the real thing!
As I said before, it looks to be in great condition and is an early one. As to value, there are several collectors of this model here and I'm sure they will be along soon with their opinions. (It definitely has value..)

 

[opoefc]

From what I can see in the two pics, it is indeed an early "Two Pin" S&W Model 2 Army revolver, caliber .32 Rimfire. There should be assembly numbers on the back of the barrel, on the cylinder and on the frame under the grips. These numbers should match. The are usually one to three numbers, or a combination of letters & numbers. The only places the serial number shows is on the butt and on the back side of the right grip panel, if the grips are original to the gun. If the finish is original, and not a quality reblue, the gun is in unusually great condition for something 153 yrs. old and value is well into 4 figures. Ed.

 

[swloginun]

Thanks for the feedback, folks.

Yes, there is a matching serial number on the back side of the grip panel. The assembly letters are a capital 'B' and a slightly smaller capital 'L' located on the back of the barrel and the cylinder. Other than the serial number, I find no numbers or letters on the frame in or around the grip area.

 

[swloginun]

S&W Model 2

There should be assembly numbers on the back of the barrel, on the cylinder and on the frame under the grips. These numbers should match.

I'm preparing this gun for sale and want to have all the important information exactly right when it is listed. As noted in my last post, I can only find the matching assembly letters on the cylinder and back of barrel. I find nothing on the frame under the grips. Is this an issue? Does anyone know if these numbers were omitted in this location in some versions?

 

[handejector]

I've never seen one without the assembly number on the frame, but I have not handled enough of them to be an authority on them.

Since you wish to make a very accurate listing, I will tell you that the gun is refinished. The refinish is medium quality.

 

[Camster]

The gun has been reblued.
Many saw Civil War use.

 

[glowe]

I'm preparing this gun for sale and want to have all the important information exactly right when it is listed. As noted in my last post, I can only find the matching assembly letters on the cylinder and back of barrel. I find nothing on the frame under the grips. Is this an issue? Does anyone know if these numbers were omitted in this location in some versions?

I agree with Lee that there should be a number or letter on the inside of the butt-frame. Take a magnifying glass and look over both sides where the stocks rest on the frame for another number/letter. The stocks on this revolver are outstanding, with a very sharp edge at the base. The major issue with the finish is that the ejector rod is usually a case color and not deep blued. I am thinking a coat of cold blue over the existing finish.

I also think it has a third pin that may have been polished over rather than being removed prior to refinish?? When you lighten and sharpen the image, I think you can see the imperfections in the bluing and the 3rd pin.

It is still a great example of a Civil War era Model 2 that is an important development in S&W history.

 

[swloginun]

Unfortunately, I don't know the history of the gun. It belonged to my grandfather, who I never met. That's very sad as he was an avid and well-respected sportsman. I therefore can't comment on any bluing that might have been done.

I've posted a few more pics that will hopefully show a better representation of the condition. I have tried very hard to find matching assembly letters on the frame under the grip but no luck. Only see the star as shown in photo. The serial number on butt and right grip match (5714).

 

[opoefc]

It's a " 3 pin " gun, not a two pin as I previously thought from your first photo. There should be the same assembly/work stamp on the left grip frame as you have found on the barrel & cylinder. You show a "star stamp" on the right grip frame. Did you see that stamp anywhere else on the gun ? Are you sure you want to sell a nice family heirloom gun like this, that probably saw use in the Civil War era ? It's market value is only in the $550 - $700 range, w/o full assembly stamps in all the 3 places. Ed.

 

[swloginun]

I can't find the star stamp any place else. So does this assembly mark mystery indicate that this gun is not authentic? Or that it has somehow been modified?

 

[glowe]

If you could indulge us once more, we would like to see close-up pictures of the front of the cylinder and the rear of the barrel assembly just to be sure there are no remnants of markings there? It could have been heavily polished in the locations of the markings before refinishing, but the other stampings do not suggest that.

 

[swloginun]

Here are photos of what I hope you are looking for.

 

[glowe]

Great pictures. So now we know the cylinder and barrel are marked with the assembly letters (B L), but I understand that there are no other markings on either side of the butt frame? The star usually signifies a factory re-work, but there is usually a stamp with the date on the frame as well. I see pitting on the inside of the butt-frame, but it does not appear any heavy grinding was done, so the letters were probably not removed. It may remain a mystery with several possible answers. I would consider the gun authentic and all parts look like they came from the S&W factory, the question is whether the frame was replaced at the factory many years ago and you may never know the answer to that question. I still think that Ed's value estimate is OK, but with a refinish, probably on the low end.

 

[swloginun]

OK, thanks for your comments.