What Old S&W Model and Issue?

[tamulmul]

Hi, new member here. I have an old Smith & Wesson revolver (see attached image). It has "Smith & Wesson Springfield Mas" marking on top of the barrel and the serial# is 39803. The spent case rod part below the barrel is missing.

Does anyone know what Smith & Wesson model and issue this gun is and what could be the value in its current condition?

Thanks in advance for the response!

Tamulmul

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. You have a Model 1, Second Issue, 22 rimfire produced around the middle of the Civil War. It may well have been carried by a soldier as a private purchase weapon.

These are a marvel of engineering and durability since they are now 150 years old. Your revolver has a great deal of wear, with a broken front sight, and almost all the silver worn off the brass frame. The missing ejector rod can be replaced if you have another example to get the dimensions from. You did not mention if the gun functions, so I will assume it does. A selling price of $150 would be my guess.

 

[DGT]

tamulmul: Welcome to the forum.

That is an interesting old gun and, as glowe pointed out, 150 years old. Although it is chambered in what we now call 22 short, it is NOT safe to shoot as the cartridges today use smokeless powder as opposed to the black powder your gun was designed to shoot.

 

[SC_Slowhand]

Still a nice old piece. I've got one made in 1865, sitting in the safe. It came from an estate sale. $300.00 paid.

 

[tamulmul]

Thanks guys for the response and advice!

The gun is working except for the missing ejector rod and front eyesight. It's owned by my father-in-law who just passed away after a lingering illness at the VA hospital in Palo Alto,CA. He was a Korean & Vietnam war vet. We'll not probably sell it.

Tamulmul