What kind of Smith and Wesson Revolver is this?

[Model19man]

Henry Ford was formerly an employee of Thomas Edison. In 1899, on August 15, he resigned as chief engineer at the Edison Illuminating factory in order to concentrate his energy towards automobile manufacturing.

Ford and Edison remained lifelong friends. After WWI they began to go on "camping" expeditions, often with friends John Muir, Harvey Firestone, Calvin Coolidge and others.

In this picture we see Thomas Edison sitting in an early 1920's Lincoln touring. It is very similar to one given to Edison by Henry. Henry has a Smith and Wesson Hand Ejector with a squared lanyard ring and is wearing his western outfit with "cowboy" hat and unlit cigarette".

Any idea what the Smith might be?

 

[delcrossv]

With no forward latch on the ejector rod, I'd guess a Mod 1899.

 

[alwslate]

Great vintage pic OP!

 

[s&wchad]

I don't see a front locking lug under the barrel. If it's a S&W, it's an M&P 1st model (1899). It's not a great photo of the gun and Henry is covering the grip and part of the frame with his finger.

It could also be a Colt 1901 Army.

 

[Model19man]

The front of the frame angles on the Colt 1901 Army so I think the Smith Model 1899 is more like the photo. I am guessing the 1899 was available only in 38 Smith and Wesson Special caliber?

 

[Muley Gil]

The front of the frame angles on the Colt 1901 Army so I think the Smith Model 1899 is more like the photo. I am guessing the 1899 was available only in 38 Smith and Wesson Special caliber?

It was also available in the .38 Service Cartridge aka .38 Long Colt and in .32-20.

 

[SRG]

Unless he has really small hands, that looks awful big for a K Frame.

 

[Pig Hunter]

Front sight looks like a shark fin on a Colt

 

[merl67]

Given the timeframe, and apparent size of gun I am thinking a Colt New Service 45, i guess it could be a S&W 1899 just seems a bit large for that.

 

[470Evans]

I think that's a Colt New Service

 

[stansdds]

Looks like a Colt to me, based on the front sight, the shape of the trigger guard, and the overall size of the frame.

 

[glenwolde]

I'm in the "big gun" camp on this one.

 

[lestert357]

I think that's a Colt New Service

I agree with that assessment…….

 

[Hondo44]

I'm in the Colt NS camp;

Mostly the trigger guard shape/size, and also the overall size, but also the length of extractor rod, small front sight base length, and hammer shape.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I have no expertise in such matters but my eyeballs tell me that is a Colt New Service just by looking at lestart's juxtaposed photos.

 

[s&wchad]

I don't know…
I thought about the New Service, but the cylinder looks too small. It's hard to tell because of the poor resolution and shadows in the photo. Henry Ford wasn't a big man. He was well under 6' tall and scrawny.

I also don't see the step on the back of the barrel. Here's a New Service that shipped to the RCMP in 1918.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

According to an article in TheFirearmBlog dated May 17, 2019, which posts the same picture, the revolver is a double action Colt.

 

[Kinman]

Ford gave Edison the first 1916 Phaeton that rolled off the line. It does look like a Colt New Service to me as well.

 

[lestert357]

I also don't see the step on the back of the barrel.

The earlier New Services like this one from 1909 did not have the step in the barrel…..

It's a New Service; that's my story and I'm sticking with it!

 

[AlanDavid]

All I can say is Mr Ford is demonstrating good safe firearm handling technique...

Regards

AlanD