MODEL OF 91 QUESTIONS

[FloridaFialaFan]

I recently obtained a nickeled 91 to add to my single-shot, USA-made, .22rf collection. An acquaintance mentioned something about only less than 100 were made. Where can I find more info on this gun. Will try to post a photo of it below. Best regards ~ ~ ~ FloridaFialaFan

 

[FloridaFialaFan]

I recently obtained a nickeled 91 to add to my single-shot, USA-made, .22rf collection. An acquaintance mentioned something about only less than 100 were made. Where can I find more info on this gun. Will try to post a photo of it below. Best regards ~ ~ ~ FloridaFialaFan

 

[cgt4570]

This one is DEFINITELY worth a factory letter! $30 and you can download the order form on the S&W webpage. Roy might even talk to you over the phone for something like this. All this is assuming it was originally nickel, and not an aftermarket plate job. If original, then it was most likely a special order, and maybe even by someone important or inside the company.
Chris

 

[Modelof1891]

FloridaFialaFan

FloridaFialaFan ,
Nice model of 91. I think there were a greater number, more like 862 in .22 caliber. I would like to put my name in the hat if you are thinking about selling or trading.

 

[chillypepper]

cool score! love them old smiths. definatly get it lettered.

 

[1891SingleShot]

FloridaFialaFan,

The Model of 1891's are some of my favorite Smith & Wesson's. There were approximately 862 of the Single Shots manufactured in 22.LR, 229 in .32 S&W, and 160 in .38 S&W. That being said, these single shots also share the same serial number range as the .38 Third Model Single Action Revolver, so it's hard to know exactly how many were produced in single shot, as they seem to be more available than the .38 Single Action Revolvers, of which there were supposedly a much larger number produced. I don't know how much knowledge you have of the '91's, but the single shots were made on the same frame as the .38 Single Action 3rd Model Revolver, and you could replace the cylinder and barrel of the revolver with the single shot barrels. That's why your single shot frame has the recoil shield present. On the 2nd and 3rd Model Single Shots, the recoil shield is no longer used. There were also a small number of sets (app. 92) produced that featured the .38 Single Action 3rd Model revolver along with a matched number Single Shot barrel. As previously mentioned, these Single Shots were produced in either .22 LR, .32 S&W or .38 S&W in 6", 8", or 10" barrels, with the most common configuration being .22 LR with a 10" barrel. They are an interesting firearm and one that you don't run across every day. Enjoy it and I hope this information was useful. By the way, I got my numbers out of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica, a must have book for S&W collectors.

 

[opoefc]

1891 Single Shot's info is right on the money, however these guns are not all that rare. I just returned from the Las Vegas Antique Gun Show and probably a dozen or more were for sale in the show, including the best ones known to collectors on David Carroll's table - flat brand new 100% condition. Most are seen in nickel finish, blue being more uncommon. The cased sets are listed by serial number in Neal & Jinks. Extra barrels in various calibers & lengths are also often seen at shows and on internet auction sites, so "sets" are sometimes made up by collectors & dealers, but will not letter as shipped as a set. Ed.

 

[1891SingleShot]

I agree with Ed. They do seem to be more encountered than their production numbers would lead one to believe. Makes me wonder how they arrived at those numbers. I wonder if the 3rd Model frames were used as the Single Shots were ordered, and they weren't differentiated in the records from the .38 Single Action revolvers???

 

[Modelof1891]

1891SingleShot
That is what I am thinking. There are way too few still around for the frames of these two not to have been in the same 1-28,000 numbers.

 

[JimSupica]

Ed, did you mean to say the majority of 1891 Single Shots were in nickel?

I would certainly have guessed that the great majority were blue from my informal observations.

I also would guess that 1891 REVOLVERS might be slightly more common in nickel than blue.

Whaddaya think? Youse other guys have guesses on the finishes?

I also agree you see more 91 single shots and fewer 91 revolvers that the official production numbers would suggest.

Jim

 

[1891SingleShot]

My personal opinion is that the blue finish is more common. Of the 7 1st Model Single Shots in me and my dad's collection, only 1 is nickel. As far as the 3rd Model Single Action revolvers, I guess I haven't seen enough of those to form an opinion. Of the 3 we have, 2 are blue and 1 nickel.

 

[opoefc]

Jim & others, I didn't make my comments too clear. I was referring to the guns at the Las Vegas show and the 1891s I seem to see that are 99% or better, as being nickel rather than blue. Blue guns tend to lose their 100% finish over time and nickel guns do not, so a 100% blue gun is harder to find than a 100% nickel. Overall there's more blue than nickel, but there's not as many minty blues as minty nickels, IMHO.