S&W Model 1 3rd variation

[mm93]

I recently inherited a lady friend's great grandfather's S&W Model 1 3rd variation after she recently passed away. It's in spectacular condition, appears to have been fired very little.
The S&W is nickel plated with the 3 3/16" barrel, mother of pearl grips, and is fully engraved. It's done in what Jinks calls "New York style" engraving, and wondering if anyone knows who did this for these S&W pistols?
Also wondering if anyone might have a guesstimate of value for insurance, nt for sale?

 

[iby]

#1

Looks real nice.
Likely embellished by dealer in the "New York" style by ????
Ins.... $1500

 

[BMur]

Contract engraving

Very nice 1-3.
I have one similar to yours see photo.
Yours was also very likely cased like mine originally. That is how the finish has survived this long intact. The wood case is often the sacrificial lamb so to speak and dies along the way.
Most of these were engraved on contract with an engraver in New York. That area was full of them during that early period. That’s the source of the “New York Engraved” labeling.

The client would walk into the monstrous Major Distributor building normally a city block long and have a huge selection from which to chose from. Engraved guns more often included the wood case. I have early Distributor catalogs that often list; “Walnut or Oak case included with engraved guns”. Sometimes they would just list the case price at $2.

Like I mentioned, options were endless.

Often collectors think the case was for display but the more realistic purpose was for protection and easy access.

Murph

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,


Extremely nice example! I concur with the $1,500.00 price as a
minimum. Have you taken the grips off? I would be curious to
see if there is a serial number inked on the back. Don't force them.
MOP grips can be fragile (MOP means Mother Of Pearl). You should
get a letter on this one to see if it was Factory engraved or done
by the distributor. The distributor is more likely but you never
know. The MOP grips are a nice touch. I agree that it probably
came in a case originally.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[mm93]

I'm certain it's factory engraved for a couple reasons. Jinks' History of S&W shows an identical factory engraved Model 1 3rd, and the engraving is also nickeled, not engraved after it was factory nickel plated. So if it was done later the engraving wouldn't be nickeled, it would be bare metal.
Supica and Nahaus S&W book states that starting in 1867 Gustave Young engraved all the factory engraved guns for S&W. His sons were apprentices then, and did some repetitive border work on firearms, later taking over for him when he retired. So this might likely be Gustave Young's work?
Young was Colt's engraver prior to S&W, and engraved for S&W from 1867 to his passing in 1895. He moved to Springfield, Ma. when he started engraving for S&W.

 

[BMur]

Engraving

You have to be able to look at engraving with an open mind. Collectors are consistently bias about engraving and the quality. Especially if it’s on their gun.

If you look at the close up photo of my cased “contract Distributor engraved” example photo 1. then look at a “ FACTORY ENGRAVED” example photo 2&3. It should be obvious. It’s the difference between very nice and “perfect”!

Murph

 

[mm93]

You have to be able to look at engraving with an open mind. Collectors are consistently bias about engraving and the quality. Especially if it’s on their gun.

If you look at the close up photo of my cased “contract Distributor engraved” example photo 1. then look at a “ FACTORY ENGRAVED” example photo 2&3. It should be obvious. It’s the difference between very nice and “perfect”!

Murph

I completely agree, but without bias I believe this is factory engraving. Not my first engraved firearm, but not like I've got lots either. Maybe 6-7 if I recall correctly?
Wish I was a better photographer!

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

... and the engraving is also nickeled, not engraved after it was factory nickel plated. So if it was done later the engraving wouldn't be nickeled, it would be bare metal.

Just because there is nickel plating over the engraving isn't proof
the revolver was Factory engraved. Nickel can be easily removed
and then re-plated after engraving by a professional that does
plating.

I tend to agree that yours could very well be Factory engraved
but the way to be sure is to get a letter from the S&WHF.


Cheers!
Webb

 

[mm93]

I suppose it's always possible it's not factory, but the identical pistol is shown in Jink's S&W book on page 47. So I'd think this pattern, and features were likely made in a run of identical pistols?
It's been in the same family since it was new also.

 

[iby]

I HOPE IT LETTERS FOR YOU BUT EITHER WAY IT IS FAMILY TREASURE