Model No. 2 Army, Japanese Export

[digi-shots]

I posted back in October 2013 about this Model No. 2 Army.

(Link: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-antiques/338400-interesting-one-what.html )

I've since acquired it and I believe it's the oldest S&W I have. It was a WWII bring back by a US Army veteran who served in the Pacific Theater.

Just this past week I received a letter from Roy with the following shipping information:

"...your handgun was shipped from the factory on April 27, 1868 and delivered to C & J. F.B. Company, Yokohama, Japan. The shipment was for 100 units with 5 inch barrel length, blue finish and smooth rosewood grips. The shipment also contained 15,000 Number 2 cartridges."

The Charles & James Favre-Brandt Company was one of S&W's main importers to Japan.

Thanks to forum members, Seinen, Masterpiece and Ed for helping identify the model and the inscription on the right side. The Japanese Kanji translates to:

"Registered in Kochi Prefecture in 1894 as weapon No. 9201"

Enjoy the pics! (I think I'm going to have to go holster shopping and maybe look for some .32 long rimfire cartridges for my next photo op! )

 

[murphydog]

Very nice! Did you get a copy of the recent book on Japanese contract S & Ws?

 

[digi-shots]

Alan,

I did get the book mentioned in the first thread... "The Japanese Chose The Smith & Wesson" .... excellent book!!

(is there another one out?)

 

[murphydog]

Alan,

I did get the book mentioned in the first thread... "The Japanese Chose The Smith & Wesson" .... excellent book!!

(is there another one out?)

No, that's the one...my bad for not going back to the first thread.

 

[seinen]

Nice presentation Linda.

C/

 

[Masterpiece]

"...Your handgun was shipped from the factory on April 27, 1868 and delivered to C & J. F.B. Company, Yokohama, Japan. The shipment was for 100 units with 5 inch barrel length, blue finish and smooth rosewood grips. The shipment also contained 15,000 Number 2 cartridges."

Linda,

Glad to see you were able to acquire it & "Lettered" being shipped in 1868 as we'd suspected even though my assumption it likely shipped through C.W.May was incorrect, but I had a 50-50 chance...Ha!!~Ha!!

It also shipped in the Earliest Shipment known to date that a large quantity of these were shipped to the Japanese...that is unless some new shipment info has surfaced I'm unaware of!!

BTW...Very Nice Presentation & Excellent Photos!!

 

[Sleeping Dog 25]

Nice History
I have two No2 Armys exported to the UK one with Birmingham Proof marks and One with London proof marks ,just sitting hear thinking would be nice if those ledgers from C.W May came to light