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LOT 207
Exceptional Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 First Issue Sixth Type Spur Trigger Revolver with Scarce Factory Gutta
Percha Case - Serial no. 7482, 22 RF cal., 3 1/4 inch solid rib bbl., blue/silver finish, rosewood grips. Manufactured c. 1857-
1860, this is an exceptional example of a Smith & Wesson No. 1 first type revolver, which were the company’s first metallic
cartridge firearm. This revolver is the “sixth type” as defined by Norm Flayderman, which saw the elimination of the rotating
recoil device and a ratchet made as an integral part of the cylinder. These sixth type revolvers were manufactured in the
latter part of the 1857-1860 production run of the First Issue revolvers. The top of the barrel rib is marked with the single-line
address. The patent date marking is on the cylinder. The matching serial number is on the butt and stamped inside the right
grip panel. The assembly numbers “6” and “2” are marked perpendicular to each other on the left of the grip frame, rear face of
the barrel lug, and front face of the cylinder. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, notch rear sight on the cylinder
stop, and a pair of smooth rosewood grips. Includes a scarce and very desirable gutta percha case. The case features the
likeness of a No. 1 First Issue, patriotic and scroll motifs in the corners, small revolvers as the upper and lower borders, and the
Smith & Wesson markings on the outside of the lid; small revolvers as the border on the bottom. The inside of the lid is lined
with plum velvet with floral designs and the lower half is lined with red baize and has an empty cartridge block. Reportedly,
5,000 of these cases were produced by Littlefield, Parsons & Co. in two variations, with very few examples surviving,
particularly in extremely high condition like this one.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 90% of the bright, high polish, original blue finish and 98% of the mostly bright
original silver finish with some mild edge wear on the blued components, some very light speckled bubbling of the silver
plating on the right of the frame, and a patch of dark patina on the butt. The grips are very fine with scattered light handling
marks and almost all of the varnish. Mechanically excellent. The case is exceptionally fine with a few very light handling marks
and a few patches of mild storage wear on the interior. It would be very difficult to improve upon this Smith & Wesson No. 1
first issue revolver with its gutta percha case!
Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 206
George Wostenholm & Son I*XL Hunter’s Companion
Bowie Knife Attributed to Civil War Veteran John
M. Heath of the 149th New York Volunteer Infantry
with Documentation and Photograph - Manufactured
c. 1850s to early 1860s by the George Wostenholm
firm of Sheffield, England, one of the largest Sheffield
manufacturers and importers to the United States
during the gold rush era and particularly into the
Civil War era. This particular knife includes various
documentation attributing it to Civil War soldier John
M. Heath, who served in the 149th New York Volunteer
Infantry. A signed affidavit from Howard A. Heath
(grandson of John) states that the knife belonged to
his grandfather John and mentions his military service.
The 149th took part in many major battles of the war,
including Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and by
the end of the war had four officers and 129 enlisted
men killed in action and another 78 who had died of
disease. John Heath is noted as having been wounded
at Chancellorsville in 1863 and again at New Hope
Church in 1864. He was promoted to corporal in April
of 1863 and to sergeant sometime in 1864. An included
photograph, who is presumably John Heath, shows a
young Union soldier in uniform with a Smith & Wesson revolver tucked in his belt along with a Bowie knife that looks remarkably like this one. In the photograph,
one can even faintly see the lighter color stitching down the blade-side seam. The back of the photograph is marked for the studio of E.B. Hodge in Plymouth,
New Hampshire. Also included is various documents tracing the provenance of the knife through various notable collections as well as copies of documents
pertaining to Heath’s military service and the 149th New York. The knife itself measures 14 1/2 inches overall. The clipped point blade measures 9 1/2 inches
with the Wostenholm address, eagle, Hunters Companion, and I*XL markings all on the left side. It has an elliptical shaped German silver guard and is fitted with
smooth antique ivory grip scales, with a blank German silver nameplate set into the left grip. Includes a sheath which appears to
be the original Wostenholm provided sheath within a period-made leather sheath that has the top near the throat absent.
CONDITION: Fine, the blade mostly bright polished with a few scattered patches of light pitting, some evidence of light
sharpening, and mostly clear markings. The German silver shows an attractively aged patina. There are a few hairline cracks
near the pins in the grip scales and a chip absent near the butt of the right panel. An attractive and desirable Bowie knife
documented to a Civil War soldier!
Provenance: John M. Heath; Howard A. Heath; The William R. Williamson Collection; The Ernie Modlin Collection;
The Tommy Knox Collection.
Estimate: 6,500 - 9,500
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