S&W Antique

[Rocketman1954]

So attached are 5 photos of an antique S&W. Based upon my very novice observations, I note the following: Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. on top ribbon. Patent dates on cylinder are Apr 3, 1855. Jul 5, 1859. Dec 18 1860. 6” barrel. Appears to be a .32 cal. Rimfire. Serial # 13550. Any help with a definitive Model would be appreciated.


OK, my novice interpretation is getting updated! Apparently this is actually a Model 2, in .32 rimfire, 6 shot with a 6” barrel. Looking at Roy’s “History of Smith & Wesson” appears to clarify.

 

[mmaher94087]

You nailed it. Model 2, sometimes called the Old Army. Serial numbers below 25,000 were possibly used during the Civil War. Is this a cherished family heirloom?

 

[Rocketman1954]

Thanks Mike,

Nope, identifying for a friend. Said been in the family for years. NRA maybe 40%. Trying to figure a value for him.

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Thanks Mike,

Nope, identifying for a friend. Said been in the family for years. NRA maybe 40%. Trying to figure a value for him.

I think you are over inflating the condition. IMHO it is 20% tops.
But there are more important things to address concerning originality.

You have to check if all the major parts are the original parts it had
when it left the Factory. Under the right-hand grip should be the
serial number. The barrel, cylinder and frame have an assembly
letter/number code stamped on them. Unfortunately, corrosion
can obscure these codes. So, you may not be able to make them
out.

These codes are located on the breach of the barrel; just between
the bore and the cylinder indent. On the face of the cylinder; around
the teat in the center. And on the frame; under the grip panel by the
heel. Here are some pics (of a No. 1) to help you recognize where
to look.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[Rocketman1954]

Thank you Webb, I’ll check that out!

 

[iby]

Serial # is on the butt.
Assembly # is on the the grip frame under the grip

 

[Rocketman1954]

Webb, Does T4 sound correct on all noted parts?

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Webb, Does T4 sound correct on all noted parts?

That is a very typical assembly code. They are usually two or three
"characters" long. These characters can be a combination of letters,
numbers or even a special character (like an asterisk, 5-pointed star,
Greek symbol, etc.). So far, there hasn't been any pattern discerned
from these codes. No records have been unearthed to shed light
on this. It does not look like they were used to identify any particular
person (too much variation). All we know is they were unique (almost
never reoccurring).


Cheers!
Webb