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on the left flat and “CAST-STEEL” on the right flat. The serial number “D63” is stamped on the left side of the frame
beneath the grip and on the bottom of the carrier ahead of the lever. Both grips are stamped “63” on the inside. The sides and top of the receiver and back strap are decorated with the standard open scroll and leaf engraving used on No.1 pistols. The pistol originally had a browned barrel with blued frame and casehardened hammer and lever. The grips have a high gloss varnish finish. The walnut case has a silver inscription plate on the lid and three interior
compartments lined with blue velvet. Smith & Wesson manufactured an estimated 700 No. 1 Lever Action Pistols c. 1854-55 in the A-F series serial number range. Factory cased examples of No. 1 pistols are very rare. CONDITION: Very good. This rare pistol is all original. The brown finish on the barrel has faded to mottled, silver-gray patina. The barrel edges are sharp, metal surfaces are smooth and the factory markings on the flats are crisp. The receiver has a silver patina with scattered age spots. The factory scroll engraving is sharp. The hammer has 40% of the original case colors. The lever has a silver patina with scattered age spotting. The bag-shaped, rosewood grips remain in fine condition and have 75% plus of the original varnish. Mechanically fine. The relined case is good overall with several hairline cracks in the lid. The blue velvet lining shows minimal fading. The interior is missing the cartridge container lid and the tool partition. The bottom of the case is oil stained from contact with the pistol and there are several tears in the lining on the case sides from contact with the pistol hammer and front sight. This is a very good example of a rare and historically significant Smith & Wesson No. 1 lever action repeating pistol with factory case. Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
LOT 24
New Haven Arms Company Lever Action No.1 Pocket Pistol - Serial no. 1247, 31 Volcanic cal., 3 1/2 inch octagon bbl., blue/silver-plated finish, walnut stock, walnut
grips. This Lever Action No.1 Pocket Pistol manufactured by the New Haven Arms Company c. 1858. The pistol has the scarce plain receiver with silver-plated finish. The blued, .31 caliber, octagon barrel has an integral six-shot magazine with brass clam-shell follower, round muzzle, rounded T-bar spring and pinch-top front sight blade. The brass receiver lacks the factory engraving found on most No.1 Pocket Pistols and has the distinctive loading lever with finger hole, scalloped cut-out at the front of the ejection port and fixed, dove- tail mounted, rear sight. The hammer has deep, hand cut, knurling on the spur and a color casehardened finish. The rear sight, bolt, cartridge elevator, trigger and loading lever are blued. The two-piece walnut
LOT 25
Volcanic Repeating Arms Advertising
Poster - The poster shows a patent drawing
of a Volcanic Pistol along with the company
name at the top of the page. The body of the
text explains how to load, fire, clean, and maintain the Volcanic Pistol and explains the new type of ammunition. The other side lists reasons one should be interested in the pistol and sings praise of the new action over traditional percussion revolvers as well as an ammunition price list. The back is also marked for James Carlton, an agent for Volcanic in Baltimore, MD. The poster measures approximately 10x12 inches and is between plexiglass.
CONDITION: The upper and lower halves of the page have separated but nearly all of the text is still legible. There is some light staining. Overall in fine condition for a piece its age.
Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 1,000 - 1,500
grips have a varnish finish. The top barrel flat is stamped with the legend: “NEWHAVEN CONN. PATENT FEB.14.1854” in one line. The serial number “1247” is stamped on the left side of the receiver beneath the grip. “1247” is stamped on the inside of both the replacement grips.
CONDITION: Very good. The pistol retains strong traces of the faded blue finish on the barrel with several insignificant spots of shallow pitting and a few minor scratches. The New Haven Arms Company markings on the top flat are light but legible. The receiver remains in fine condition with traces of silver plated finish and a good-looking, untouched, patina. Eight small notches are stamped in two lines on both sides of the receiver in front of the side plates - the significance of these markings is unknown and they do not detract from the overall appearance. The hammer retains 40% of the mottled case colors. The rear sight, trigger, bolt cartridge elevator and lever have a smooth dark patina. Mechanically fine. The period replacement grips are good with scattered light handling marks. This is a good looking example of a scarce New Haven Arms Company Lever Action No. 1 Pocket Pistol.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
35
LOT 23
Rare Smith & Wesson No.1 Lever Action Repeating Pistol with Case - Serial no. D63, 31 cal., 4 inch part octagon bbl., blue/brown finish, varnished rosewood grips. This Smith & Wesson No.1 Lever Action Repeating Type II pistol features a four-inch, .31 caliber, part-round barrel with integral six-shot magazine, round muzzle, round T-bar spring, nickel-silver pinch top front sight and
flat clam-shell follower. The receiver has a distinctive loading lever with finger hole and no spur, fixed rear sight, internal retaining spring and square ejection port. The hammer has deeply cut hand-knurling on the spur. The pistol has two-piece, bag-shaped rosewood grips. “SMITH & WESSON/NORWICH CT.” is roll stamped on the top barrel flat, “PATENT/FEB. 14. 1854”