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LOT 95
Early
Production
Smith &
Wesson No.
1 First Issue Second Type
Spur Trigger Revolver with Early
“Bayonet” Style Latch - Serial no. 705, 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, front face of the cylinder, and inside both grips.
The patent date is rolled on the cylinder in a single line.
The distinctive round sideplate of the First Issue No. 1 revolvers is visible on the left of the frame.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 75% of the original silver finish which shows a dark aged patina with the balance thinned to an antique brass and the iron showing mostly a smooth grey patina with a few scattered patches of very light pitting. The grips are also very good with some scattered light handling marks. Cocking the hammer turns the cylinder intermittently, otherwise mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 97
New York Engraved Smith & Wesson No. 1 Second Issue Revolver with Rare “Stand of Flags” Gutta Percha Case
- Serial no. 85466, 22 RF cal., 3 3/16 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, antique ivory grips. Manufactured circa 1860-68 with this example featuring New York scroll engraving. Among
the scrollwork on the cylinder is a shield, there is a starburst behind the hammer, and the back strap and butt feature an entwining line motif. Includes the rarely encountered S&W “Stand of Flags” gutta percha case. The case features an empty 56 count cartridge block and red wine velvet lid lining. Only 5,000 gutta percha cases are said to have been made for Smith & Wesson. Most of these were made by Littlefield, Parsons & Co, who also made similar cases for daguerreotypes. These “special” cases were popular during the second half of the 19th Century and were usually used for fancy or presentation guns. They were special ordered or added by the distributor after shipment from the factory. These were generally found with the Model 1, 1st and 2nd Issue revolvers. The “Stand of Flags” is one of two types of gutta percha cases commonly recognized, and out of these two case styles, the “Stand of Flags” is the rarest.
CONDITION: Very fine as period New York engraved, retaining
90% plus nickel plating and crisp engraving. There is a chip
on the bottom of the left panel, otherwise the grips are fine
with attractive grain and color. The case is very good with a
couple hairline cracks, some edge chipping including on the
cartridge block, a couple chips on the exterior, typical high
spot wear on the lining, and crisp relief markings. The delicate
nature of these cases meant that many did not survive. The “Stand of Flags” case is an accessory often missing from even the most advanced S&W collections.
Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 98
Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 First Issue Revolver with Scarce Factory Gutta Percha Case - Serial no. 7494, 22
RF Short cal., 3 3/16 inch solid rib bbl., blue/silver finish, rosewood grips. The Smith & Wesson No. 1 First Issue revolvers were the first Smith & Wesson revolvers. This revolver is the “Sixth Type” manufactured in the latter part of the 1857-1860 production run of the First Issue revolvers and has a German silver blade front sight, “SMITH & WESSON. SPRINGFIELD.
MASS.” on top of the barrel, Rollin White patent on the
cylinder, notch rear sight, matching serial numbers on the
butt and inside of the grips, and assembly markings “7” and “5” perpendicular to one another marked on various components. The gutta percha 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 “MANUFACTURED ONLY BY/ SMITH & WESSON/SPRINGFIELD MASSACHUSETTS” on the lid; small revolvers as the border on the bottom, embossed scroll patterns inside the lid, and a cartridge block (empty). Per the NRA Museums: “the firm later offered an optional gutta percha case for an additional charge of $1.25. Approximately 5,000
of these cases, which were produced by Littlefield, Parsons
& Co., included a bas relief design featuring the revolver and
the Smith & Wesson name on the lid. These cases are rarely
encountered today.”
CONDITION: Very fine with 95% plus original silver plating
exhibiting smooth aged patina throughout, 40% original blue
fading to plum tones and spots of gray patina, minor scratches
mainly on the left side of the barrel at the breech, and light overall wear. The cylinder occasionally doesn’t rotate when the hammer is cocked, but the revolver is otherwise mechanically fine. The grips are also very fine and have glossy finish, a few dings, and minor edge wear. The case is fine and has mild age and storage related wear and a small crack just behind the revolver on the lid.
Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500
SERIAL NUMBER 705
LOT 96
Cased New York Engraved Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 3rd Issue Revolver with Pearl Grips - Serial no. 124784, 22 RF cal., 3 3/16 inch solid rib bbl., nickel finish, pearl grips. Manufactured from 1868 to 1881. Featuring a fine, extensive L.D. Nimschke-style New York scroll engraving with kidney-bean motifs in the center of the scrollwork on the barrel sides. Matching assembly marks on the grip frame, cylinder and barrel. The rosewood partitioned case contains a key and a box of UMC .22/100 cartridges with green label, with 24 rounds inside. A blank initial inlay is on the exterior of the lid. CONDITION: Excellent as New York engraved, retaining 98% original nickel finish with very minor flaking on the cylinder. The engraving is crisp. The original case colors on the hammer have darkened with age. The pearl grips are also excellent with minimal handling marks and fiery colors. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with some minor handling/storage marks and some typical high spot wear. An exceptionally attractive Model No. 1 3rd Issue waiting to be added to your S&W collection. Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
100 Estimate: 2,750 - 4,000