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LOT 3097
Civil War Era New York L.D.
Nimschke Panel Scene
Engraved, Silver and Gold
Plated Smith & Wesson Model No. 2 “Old Army”
Revolver with Scarce Short Barrel - Serial no. 21318, 32 RF cal., 5
inch solid rib bbl., silver/gold finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured
prior to 1864 and featuring a scarce 5 inch barrel (standard length was 6 inches) and profuse New York L.D. Nimschke engraving. The revolver is decorated with wonderful floral scrollwork on a punch dot background. The scrollwork on the side plate surrounds a dog head. The frame and barrel are plated in silver.
The remaining surfaces are plated in gold. Matching assembly marks are on the grip frame, cylinder, and barrel. Both grip panels are numbered to the gun.
CONDITION: Very fine as period restored, retaining 98%
of the silver plating, 97% gold on the cylinder and the remaining surfaces, with crisp engraving,
The grips have an attractive color and grain
on both panels. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The Dave Burghoff
Collection; The Roger Muckerheide Collection; The Sheryl Cheely Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3098
Rare Smith & Wesson .38
Single Action “Mexican Model” Revolver - Serial no. 13099,
38 S&W cal., 5 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, hard rubber grips.
Manufactured from 1891 to 1911 with total production of only 2,000
the “Mexican Model” is one of the most highly sought after and least observed antique
S&W models. This revolver is in the scarce Mexican Model configuration identified by
the spur trigger not integral as part of the frame, no half cock position and flat side hammer. Many
of these revolvers were shipped to Mexico, Russia and South America. The barrel rib has the two-line,
two block address and patent dates flanking “MODEL of 91.” The revolver is fitted with a replacement
pinned beaded blade Lyman front sight, a standard
notch rear sight on the barrel latch, and desirable
red mottled hard rubber S&W grips. Matching serial
numbers are on the butt, cylinder, barrel
and barrel latch.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 60% original blue
finish with a smooth gray patina on the balance.
Nearly all original case colors remain on the hammer. The grips are also fine with some wear in the checkering. Mechanically excellent. A .38 Single Action “Mexican Model” Revolver is a must have for the serious Smith & Wesson collector and is a model of revolver missing from even the most advanced collections.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 3099
Smith & Wesson First Model Second
Issue Revolver - Serial no. 20377, 22 S cal., 3
3/16 inch octagon/solid rib bbl., blue/silver finish,
rosewood grips. Similar in appearance to the First Issue, the Second
issue, manufactured between 1860 and 1868, has irregular shaped, flat side plates,
not rounded, one line address on top of the solid rib and the three patent dates
marked on the unfluted cylinder. Rounded brass front sight and a notched rear
sight, casehardened hammer and spur trigger and smooth grips on a square butt.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 50% of the original blue remains overall with light spotting beginning
on the left side of the barrel and cylinder. 95% of the untouched original silver plating remains on
the frame. There is half of the original casehardened colors remaining on the hammer, with the remaining area and the trigger now a smooth silver patina. The grips are excellent with scattered very minor dings and dents. Mechanically fine.
The Next Two Revolvers have the Same Serial Number
LOT 3100
Early Production Smith & Wesson No.
1 First Issue Second Type Revolver
with Early “Bayonet” Latch - Serial
no. 306, 22 RF cal., 3 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., blue/
silver finish, rosewood grips. Manufactured c. 1857-1858, this is an
example of a Second Type Smith & Wesson No. 1 First Issue revolver.
These No. 1 First Issue revolvers are considered to be the first successful American
metallic cartridge revolver with a bored through cylinder. This example has the
distinctive “bayonet” barrel latch visible on the front bottom of the frame and lacks
the visible key fastening the recoil plate which was a defining feature of the First Type, while still having the revolving recoil plate. The single line Smith & Wesson address is on top of the barrel rib and matching numbers are present on the toe, barrel lug, and inside both
grips. The cylinder has the April 3, 1855 and July 5, 1859 patent dates (faint), making it a replacement 2nd issue component. The distinctive round sideplate of the First Issue No. 1 revolvers is visible on the
left of the frame.
CONDITION: Good, showing a mottled grey-brown patina on the iron
with some scattered light pitting, primarily on the cylinder, and the brass
showing an attractive antique patina. The dark grips are also good with
a repaired vertical crack the length of the right panel and otherwise light
handling marks. The hammer only holds at full cock intermittently, otherwise mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,000 - 4,000
LOT 3101
British Proofed Copy of a Smith &
Wesson Model Number 1 Second Issue Revolver
- Serial no. 306, 22 RF cal., 3 3/16 inch solid bbl., blue finish, walnut
grips. Although there are no maker markings, Birmingham proofs
are stamped on the upper left barrel flat and on the cylinder on each of the seven chambers at the rear. The cylinder locking bar is
housed in the top strap, as found on the S&W Model No.
1. Simple double line border engraving is featured on the
barrel, frame, back strap and butt. The barrel and cylinder
are numbered to the gun. The grips are finely checkered,
including the butt.
CONDITION: Fine, retaining 70% original polished blue finish
with the balance a smooth brow-gray patina. The grips are
also fine with a tiny chip near the butt (right panel) and
crisp checkering overall. Mechanically needs work as the
cylinder does not lock properly one of seven times when the
hammer is cocked.
Estimate: 1,200 - 1,800
LOT 3102
New York Engraved Smith & Wesson
Model No. 1 3rd Issue Revolver
- Serial no. 91346, 22 RF cal., 3 3/16 inch solid rib
bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured from 1868 to
1881. Featuring fine, New York broad floral scrollwork on punch dot
background along with diamond pattern on the sides of the barrel, entwining lines
on the back strap, and zig-zag lines and cross hatching on the barrel lug. Engraving
covers 70% of the surface. Matching assembly marks appear on the grip frame,
cylinder, and barrel.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and cylinder retain 95% retailer nickel plating, and the frame retains
traces of nickel in the protected areas. The engraving is crisp. The grips are very fine with a few age
lines and attractive color. Mechanically needs work as cylinder does not lock properly when the action is cycled. Estimate: 1,000 - 1,500
Only 2000 Smith & Wesson "Mexican Model" Revolvers were produced.
SERIAL NUMBER 306
SERIAL NUMBER 306
86 Estimate: 1,100 - 1,600