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LOT 8
Very Scarce Factory Engraved Smith & Wesson Large Frame No. 2 Type I Lever Action Pistol - Serial no. 164, 41 Volcanic cal., 8
inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, rosewood grips. Smith & Wesson manufactured approximately 500 large frame Volcanic pistols from 1854-
1855. Surviving examples are scarce and very desirable in any condition. This factory engraved, early production Smith & Wesson Large Frame No.2 lever action pistol
was manufactured by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson in Norwich, Connecticut, c. 1854. This large frame pistol has the distinctive Type I features which include: an
uncrowned muzzle, flat T-bar spring, frame with hump behind the lever, loading lever with finger spur and single screw cartridge carrier spring. The eight-inch, .41
caliber, part-round/part-octagon barrel has an integral 10-shot magazine, a “pinched” blade front sight blade, and round magazine follower. The top barrel flat is roll-
stamped with the four-line legend: “SMITH &WESSON/NORWICH. CT./CAST-STEEL/PATENT.” The top of the frame has a screw-fastened notch rear sight. The hammer has fine
hand-knurling on the spur. The receiver sides, top, back strap, sideplates, and back of the hammer are decorated with the well-executed, open scroll engraving that was standard on
S&W Volcanic pistols. The matching serial number “164” is stamped on the back of the rear sight and on the butt under the left grip and lightly written inside the rosewood grips.
CONDITION: Very good with 30% fading original blue finish remaining on the breech section of the barrel and otherwise a smooth brown patina overall, crisp markings and engraving, and minor age and storage related wear overall. The re-varnished grips are also very good and have nice striped patterns, handling wear, minor lower edge wear including a small chip at the heel on the left, and generally fairly minor wear. Mechanically fine. This is very attractive example of the ever scarce Smith & Wesson No. 2 pistols in the even scarcer early configuration.
Estimate: 16,000 - 25,000
LOT 9
Scarce Documented Factory Engraved Smith & Wesson Volcanic No. 1 Lever
Action Pistol Featured in “Volcanic Firearms: Predecessor to the Winchester Rifle” - Serial no. I316, 31 Volcanic cal., 4 1/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, rosewood grips. The bottom of the frame is
shown on page 34 of “Volcanic Firearms: Predecessor to the Winchester Rifle” by Lewis & Rutter as an example of a later
frame without a screw hole. It is noted as from the Donovan Williamson collection. It is one of approximately 1,200 No. 1 pistols that
were manufactured by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1854 and 1855. They are historically significant pieces for both Smith & Wesson and Winchester collectors. The barrel has “CAST-STEEL” (right), “SMITH & WESSON/NORWICH CT” (top) and “PATENT/FEB. 14.
1854.” (left). Factory floral and scroll engraving is featured on the frame, side plates, and hammer. The left side of the butt has “I 316,” the right side of the lever has “316” and “I,” and some of the small parts and both grip panels are stamped with “316”. The lever is the later style without a spur on the bottom.
CONDITION: Fine with 40% original finish on the barrel, traces on the frame, mostly smooth gray patina on the balance, distinct
markings and engraving, and mild wear. The grips are also fine aside from a crack at the top of
the left grip on the inside and have mild handling wear and scratches. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Donovan Williamson Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN "VOLCANIC FIREARMS: PREDECESSOR TO THE WINCHESTER RIFLE" BY LEWIS & RUTTER