Might anyone have some info about this single shot pistol?

[ArgentineBeef]

Hello to all . I would appreciate help on identifying this pistol and any additional information you might have about it.
Also I'd like to know if anyone has an idea of how much is it worth.

Info:

• Smith & Wesson 22 Long Rifle CTG
• Single shot
• Serial Number: 165 (located on the butt)
• Barrel length: 25.2 cm (9.92 inches) approx.
• Along the barrel it says "SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PAT'D. DEC.4.1923"
• The barrel "tips to the side" for loading
• Sights: adjustable I guess (it has 4 screws there)
• Screws on the grip: 4

My great-grandfather bought it back in 1928.

Pictures:







Sorry for the pictures' quality, I don't have a steady hand.

I googled around and it seems this is the same pistol.

Thanks!

 

[Model52guy]

I happen to be reading that section this morning in the 4th ed. Of the SCSW. What you have is a "Straight Line 4th Model Single shot". Early ones (which yours should be) were fitted with Olympic Barrels. The Olympic barrels have a short chamber where the bullet engages the rifling as the cartridge is inserted. If the last little bit is hard to push the cartridge in, it is an Olympic barrel. Serial number range was 1- 1870 all manufactured between 1925 and 1936. With your serial number probably in the 1925-27 range.
As to value, the book says $600 in very good condition and 1100 in Excellent. With the box and the rest of the accessories, it could go for much more. The experts should be along to give you a better idea of value.
Regards,

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I would be very cautious about trusting those prices. I'd give you $1000, and I'm not even interested in S&W single shots.

The experts will be along shortly.

 

[shouldazagged]

While we await the experts' information, welcome to the forum.

 

[ColtCool]

Argentine, welcome to the Forum and you've came to the right spot.
One of my favorites !! As you can tell from my avatar

Model 52guy is correct. What you have is the 4th Model of the single shot .22 which is commonly called the Straight Line. 1870 of them made between the years 1925-1936. Was the first production pistol to incorporate a recessed chamber.

Very collectible piece and its good that you have the original case and tools which all look to be correct.

As with any collectible gun, condition is everything and I cant tell much from the pictures but its nothing to see a pristine example to sell north of 2K+. Sounds like it has some family history as well.
If you plan on keeping it you might send in for a factory letter to see where it was shipped to. Probably a distributor or sporting good/ hardware store but if it was close to where your great-grandfather lived that would even add to the "coolness factor"

Great piece and thanks for sharing.

 

[rct269]

There are basically two versions of this pistol---early (yours), and late. The most significant differences are an adjustable trigger and the "Olympic" chamber (noted above). The early version was shipped with both---the later version with neither. The other changes can be considered as internal, and of lesser significance.

Those concerned with minutia will also note there were two different cases, but minutia is a big part of the attraction of our involvement with these older items.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[model3sw]

depending on the condition ( I cannot enlarge your pictures, seems as if you posted a menage of thumbnails) it can go WAY north of $2K.

 

[ArgentineBeef]

Thank you all for the welcomes and for all the info you kindly provided!
I really appreciate it and I'm glad to know more about this pistol and its characteristics

If you plan on keeping it you might send in for a factory letter to see where it was shipped to. Probably a distributor or sporting good/ hardware store but if it was close to where your great-grandfather lived that would even add to the "coolness factor"

According to my father it seems that the distributor was 'Hasenclever y Cia' (Hasenclever & Co.) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. My great-grandfather owned a hardware store in a rural town where he used to sell firearms (back when there weren't much regulations) and his distributor was Hasenclever. I may send in for a factory letter to get confirmation of that.

My great-grandfather used to use the pistol for sport shooting, he won a gold medal with it in a local tournament of the Tiro Federal Argentino (unfortunately I can't find it at the moment). Occasionally he used it to hunt partridges from his car window.

depending on the condition ( I cannot enlarge your pictures, seems as if you posted a menage of thumbnails) it can to WAY north of $2K.

Oh, by any chance did you try to see them on a cellphone? Clicking on the pictures on my computer redirects to their full sized version, whereas doing it on my phone redirects to their thumbnails. Here are the direct links just in case someone else runs into that problem: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09.

 

[JSR III]

Welcome to the forum. Ernie Rice (straightline) is one of our resident experts on these guns and owns like 500 of them. Well almost.

Maybe he will be along and can offer some of his expertise.

 

[mmaher94087]

Sal, I double clicked the pictures and got full-page photos. My only question is the screwdriver. Is the swivel top missing or is that an early type?

 

[iPac]

It looks like a nice honestly used gun. It has some blue wear, but in the normal places like muzzle and the operating parts. I don't mind it one bit. I bet your g-grandpap had a few stories with this gun. What a collectible piece to have make its way down to you. I would be so happy to have a gun package like that in my family.

I wouldn't be selling though. I would be making sure everything is kosher and then putting some lead downrange in honor of it.

 

[opoefc]

As Mike noted the screw driver may be missing the swivel top piece, if that's the original screw driver. Various styles of screw drivers appeared over the production life of this model, supplied by different vendors. Also, the green felt lining material may be a replacement. The case is of the 2nd style with the spring clips holding the tools instead of elastic loops. Neat family heirloom gun! Value in Argentina may be different than in the US, of course. Ed.

 

[model3sw]

depending on the condition ( I cannot enlarge your pictures, seems as if you posted a menage of thumbnails) it can go WAY north of $2K.

Amending my previous statement. In my office I am behind a commercial firewall. It did not allow me to go off sight to see your larger photos.

On my son's PC now, I see the full size photos.

This is just my humble opinion and suggestion. Don't want to see anyone getting out the tar and feathers, here. I wouldn't take kindly to that sort of respose.

It's not a cherry but it is surely no dog. In pristine condition (97-99% with S&W case & tools) can easily go past $4K however, not that I can better see some of the pimples and imperfections ... you'll get $2k. How much more is anyone's guess.

I suggest you run it on a popular legitimate online auction ( like GunBroker etc), post good, high grade digital images, Starting bid to be $1999.95, run for 14 days, no reserve.

This way $1999.95 starter eliminates all the bottom-feeders. Whomever first bids your opening ask and whomever bids thereafter, are the serious players.

It is a curio & relic listed firearm so list as such, but it is NOT an antique. '

We'll all keep an eye on it. Thank you. Sal



Having a blast in Lkealnd at the