GUN FALL 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, October 5, 2015.
EXTREMELY RARE CASED FACTORY ENGRAVED SMITH AND WESSON FIRST MODEL SECOND ISSUE TIP-UP REVOLVER. Smith & Wesson 1ST MODEL 2ND ISSUE 25870 22 SHORT IVORY Cal. 22 short. Silver and blue finish with 3-3/16" ribbed oct bbl with half-moon German silver front sight and rear sight in the cylinder lock, which is in the top strap. Cyl is unfluted with 7 chambers and patent dates about 2/3 around diameter. The square-butt frame is mounted with 2-pc "certifiable antique smooth ivory" grips, matching numbered to this revolver. Right side of front strap is stamped with a vertical "1" and a horizontal "1" which are assembly numbers. Matching assembly numbers are also found on rear face of bbl lug and front face of cyl. Revolver is most unusually engraved, by L.D. Nimschke himself. Frame has full coverage on both the side flats which consists of a wreath of foliate arabesque patterns which terminate in a griffin''s head or other similar-type mythological creature''s head with fine pearled background. Backstrap is engraved with a small ribbon at the top and a large fish down the backstrap with a songbird perched on a limb surrounded by leaves at the heel. Left side of bbl lug is engraved with an anchor around which is coiled a sea snake or serpent of some type, pierced by an arrow. Right side of bbl lug is engraved in foliate arabesque patterns. Buttstrap has the number "487" in ink covered by clear substance, probably an old museum mark or collection inventory number. Back of hammer is engraved in leaf and vine patterns. Accompanied by an orig, burgundy velvet lined mahogany case with bbl rest and form fitted cartridge block containing 52-rds of copper cased 22 short cartridges. Front of the case has a slot containing an orig slotted steel wiping rod. There is no indication of the meaning of the symbols on the backstrap but is is likely that this revolver was created as a gift to a seafaring man. Accompanied by a factory letter confirming this revolver was shipped in May 1860 to J. W. Storrs of New York City, Smith & Wesson’s sole distributor from 1857-1869. Although this model was produced in fairly large quantities few were engraved and not many of those survive today. They were very popular with ladies as muff pistols and gentlemen out on the town as pocket pistols. They usually saw very hard service and are rarely found today with high orig finish. CONDITION: Extremely fine, all matching. Bbl retains 95-96% strong orig blue with some light flaking and sharp edge wear at the muzzle along with some minor surface discoloration. The entire frame retains virtually all of its orig silver finish, showing only very light sharp edge wear. Cyl retains 92-93% glossy orig blue. Grips are sound with sharp edges and show a fine ivory patina. Mechanics are fine. Bright shiny bore. Case is sound with a few light handling and storage nicks and scratches and retains most of its orig finish. Interior is moderately to heavily faded with only light soil. Cartridges and cleaning rod are fine. 49654-2 JR (9,000-15,000)