Model 2 serial # 10
- Thread starter iby
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opoefc
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
No, a genuine Model 2 with a serial number of 10 would have a two pin top strap. The gun is probably a copy. Can you post a picture of it ? Ed.
Interesting that the butt has a nicely done "10" stamped, but . . .
The description that states all serial numbers match is a giveaway that the gun does not have a proper serial number. When these revolvers were made, the parts like frame, cylinder, and barrel had assembly numbers that had nothing to do with the serial number. It appears that the serial number was either worn off or removed. A later owner saw the assembly numbers and assumed they were the serial number and stamped it on the butt. The only other place to find the original serial number is to look at the back of the right walnut stock for a pencil number. That is a serial number.
Price is way to high for a gun in the condition as shown.
The description that states all serial numbers match is a giveaway that the gun does not have a proper serial number. When these revolvers were made, the parts like frame, cylinder, and barrel had assembly numbers that had nothing to do with the serial number. It appears that the serial number was either worn off or removed. A later owner saw the assembly numbers and assumed they were the serial number and stamped it on the butt. The only other place to find the original serial number is to look at the back of the right walnut stock for a pencil number. That is a serial number.
Price is way to high for a gun in the condition as shown.
Masterpiece
Member
Gary,
No offense intended regarding your above statement...But so you know...The Grip Serial No.'s on these as well as the No.1's are stamped into the Right Grip Panel so if the Grips "Are" original to that Revolver...The Serial No. should easily be seen...Seems quite odd they wouldn't have made mention of it if the No. matches...Hmmm!!
I also took a peek and agree something's up with the Butt Serial No...If anything being that early it should be a Small Font Serial Number if Correct & It's Not...Along with the 3-Pin Frame being Incorrect as Ed made mention!! To it's credit...Even with the Serial No. being suspicious...The balance of the Revolver looks to be in Fairly High Condition given it's age although I also think it's priced just a bit on the steep side given the Serial No. Problem!!
opoefc
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Yes, as Gary mentions, the serial numbers of Model 2s were stamped on the backside of the right grip and on the butt. I have serial numbers 1 & 2 in my collection and the serial numbers are both stamped on the rear of the right grip. Exceptions would be grips of ivory, pearl, or other non wood grips, which if they are factory grips will have the serial number written in black ink, or heavy pencil, on the back of the right grip. Assembly codes/numbers are stamped on the back side of the barrel, on the cylinder and on the grip frame. If all parts are original, the codes will match. Ed.
The actual approximate serial number of this gun could be determined from the barrel stamp. It is the most common stamp which broke down over time and was replaced somewhere between about 43,000 and 50,000. One of the articles in the SWCA Journal has a table showing the serial ranges from each of the breaks in the letters of the die, but I am not where I can get to it. A lot of letters are broken in this die, so it is certainly post war probably a serial over 35,000. I put a little on this topic in another post a while back
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/373354-model-2-army-barrel-stamps.html (probably a better way to link to prior posts, but I don't know it). Whoever is writing the descriptions at collectors firearms these days should know better than this.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/373354-model-2-army-barrel-stamps.html (probably a better way to link to prior posts, but I don't know it). Whoever is writing the descriptions at collectors firearms these days should know better than this.
I saw #2 at a gun show in Western Mass some years ago. I made the owner an offer which he refused because an auctioneer assured him he would get him "Top dollar". The final hammer price was less then half of my offer. I knew #2 was right as rain. A guy came into the show a few years before #2 with serial number 5. It was a total fake, the stamping # 5 was huge. The gun was too good looking. Everyone I spoke to later all said that they felt the guy was really aggresive selling it.
opoefc
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
As mentioned above, the barrel stamping is a dead giveaway that the gun is a much higher serial number than 10. Also the patent date stampings are larger letters than would be correct for serial # 10. The first several 100 Model 2s used the same die stamps as were used on the model Ones - very small letters & numbers, as new dies for the Model 2s had not been made as yet. I sent an email to Collector Firearms advising them of the problems with their "No. 10 " We will see if they correct their description. This is not an uncommon situation with auction houses, as their "experts" really are not as informed about Smith & Wessons as they maybe about other antique guns. I probably average a email a week to online auctions & printed catalog gun descriptions advising them of inaccuracies. That's for those like this number 10. If they are describing a Registered Magnum as a Model 1905, I keep my mouth shut and buy the gun cheap! Ed.
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