Found this pistol about 25 years ago in an old family bus. My family owned the first coach line in Marietta, Ga. circa 1940. It was in one of the driver compartments. Just recently rediscovered this gem along with a few rifles and another pistol(not S&W and not found in the bus). I do know that this is an Otis A. Smith pocket revolver, but thats about all I know. After many google searches I found that the serial number can be found on the butt of the stock. The only number I can see there is a "2", and it is very faint. I know it's almost impossible to make out on the photo provided however it's unfortunately the best I can do. Any help identifying and any info on this will be much obliged!
Otis A. Smith Revolver
- Thread starter jbwilli
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opoefc
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Otis A.Smith was a gunmaker in Middleton & RockFalls, Conn. in the 1870s to 80s. He held a number of patents for firearms and made mostly inexpensive, but reasonable quality, hand guns in calibers from .22 to 41, centerfire and rimfire. It is estimated a few thousand were made, sometimes under the names U.S.Arms Co., Maltby-Henly, Columbian, etc. Both solid frame and top break models and are considered an American arms oddity. I recall an incident years ago when I was at the table of a prominent S&W collector at a gun show and a man came up to the table and said a little old lady had just come into the show with a paperbag holding a cased , gold plated , engraved Smith & Wesson revolver and wanted $100 for it. The collector quickly gave the friend the $100 to go buy the gun and he came back with an Otis A. Smith .32 spur trigger with pawn shop engraving and some gold wash . Ed.
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That looks like a well travelled gun!
Welcome to the forum.
Not a Smith and Wesson so value is low. Condition is also a major factor and based on the photos with a missing side plate I would say its a $50 gun.
Some folks collect firearm oddities so there may be some interest but usually folks want decent condition and a complete firearm. Finding parts for obscure manufacturers that unlike S&W didn't build guns in the thousands is very hard.
Not a Smith and Wesson so value is low. Condition is also a major factor and based on the photos with a missing side plate I would say its a $50 gun.
Some folks collect firearm oddities so there may be some interest but usually folks want decent condition and a complete firearm. Finding parts for obscure manufacturers that unlike S&W didn't build guns in the thousands is very hard.
I donated an Otis Smith revolver to the NRA Museum. Doug told me they did not have one in the case where the S&W copies were located....this was a 95+% nickel, spur-trigger, top-break (looked nearly identical to the Model 1 1/2 centerfire)with a near perfect bore and cylinders.
Since Photobucket has priced me out of membership, post me directly for a [email protected]
Since Photobucket has priced me out of membership, post me directly for a [email protected]
Hey Fellas,
Well, actually this is the Smiths model iron frame spur trigger in .38 short rimfire. I've done a lot of research on these spurs for my book. Otis Smith was working with Ira Johnson(not to be mistaken for Iver Johnson) in the first Plant in Ct. The "Rockfall" plant burnt down in 1879. So these early spurs are kinda scarce. Less than 4000 made in both .38 and .41 rimfire combined (On the same frame). Earliest low serial numbers are manufactured with brass frames. Your's is a later iron frame so the serial number is partially obliterated I guess. It's unfortunate that some of us assign little value to these. The truth is that the parts alone are worth more than $150. Even with the side plate missing. So, I wouldn't give it away.
Well, actually this is the Smiths model iron frame spur trigger in .38 short rimfire. I've done a lot of research on these spurs for my book. Otis Smith was working with Ira Johnson(not to be mistaken for Iver Johnson) in the first Plant in Ct. The "Rockfall" plant burnt down in 1879. So these early spurs are kinda scarce. Less than 4000 made in both .38 and .41 rimfire combined (On the same frame). Earliest low serial numbers are manufactured with brass frames. Your's is a later iron frame so the serial number is partially obliterated I guess. It's unfortunate that some of us assign little value to these. The truth is that the parts alone are worth more than $150. Even with the side plate missing. So, I wouldn't give it away.
Seems as if Otis Smith has brought us two new members!
Thanks to old Otis, and welcome aboard at the S&W Forum from Pennsylvania to jbwilli and BMur!
Thanks to old Otis, and welcome aboard at the S&W Forum from Pennsylvania to jbwilli and BMur!
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