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LOT 130
Extremely Rare Tiffany & Co. Marked Exhibition Quality Silver Plated, Acid Etched
Engraved Smith & Wesson .32 Safety Hammerless 1st Model Double Action Revolver -
Serial no. 13789, 32 S&W cal., 3 inch solid rib bbl., silver finish, rosewood grips. Smith & Wesson
introduced this configuration of the .32 Safety Hammerless revolver in 1888, and they are found
in the serial number range 1-91417. Production of this model ceased in 1902 when the 2nd model
was introduced. This example is decorated with period full coverage acid etched floral motif by
the famed retailer and jeweler Tiffany & Co., New York. Even the sides of the grip safety feature the
etching. The revolver wears a set of rosewood grips featuring a pierced silver floral pattern overlay that
compliment the floral patterns on the metal surfaces. The near full coverage floral scroll patterns are indicative
of the popular art nouveau style of the time. The bottom of the left grip panel has the Tiffany & Co. marking: “TIFFANY
& CO. PARIS.” Tiffany’s first store in Paris opened in 1850. The etching exemplifies the “timeless beauty and superlative craftsmanship” the world’s premier jeweler
has delivered to its customers since established in 1837. Our claims that all of the work was done by Tiffany are bolstered by the fact that the etching and silver grip
work are nearly identical. The revolver’s appearance echoes to the renowned retailer Tiffany’s famed highly embellished S&Ws that traveled around the globe to
international exhibitions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This example certainly was embellished by a talented master artisan and is befitting of a World’s
Fair. The largest group of firearms known to have been decorated by Tiffany was executed for Smith & Wesson during the 1890s. It is interesting to note that, unlike
Tiffany-embellished guns done for Colt, all the known examples done for Smith & Wesson were never duplicate models and for the most part were executed on an
individual basis. Tiffany-embellished Smith & Wesson firearms are considered to be a departure from the normal procedure of using only in-house engraving for their
displays. Many of these “Tiffany treasures” are documented in R.L. Wilson’s book “Steel Canvas: The Art of American Arms.” The barrel rib has the standard two-line
S&W legend. Matching serial numbers appear on the butt, cylinder, and barrel.
CONDITION: Very good as a period highly finished arm, retaining traces of age darkened silver plating in the protected areas with an overall smooth dark gray patina.
The acid etched engraving is crisp. The grips are fine with the silver overlay having an attractive appearance. Mechanically excellent. A S&W .32 Safety Hammerless
1st Model revolver showcasing fantastic 19th century artistry.
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500
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