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LOT 1017
Desirable Factory Engraved Smith & Wesson
Volcanic No. 1 Lever Action Pistol - Serial no. A91, 31 cal., 4 inch part octagon bbl., blue
finish, rosewood grips. One of approximately 1,200 No. 1 pistols that were manufactured by
Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1854 and 1855. They are historically
significant pieces for both Smith & Wesson and Winchester collectors. The barrel has “CAST-STEEL” (upper right), “SMITH & WESSON/NORWICH CT” (top) and “PATENT/FEB. 14. 1854.” (upper left). Factory floral and scroll engraving is featured on the frame, side plates, and hammer. The left side of the butt has “A91,” and some of the small parts and both grip panels are stamped with the last two digits of the serial number (“91”). The lever has a spur on the bottom.
CONDITION: Fine with 30% of the original blue finish, mostly contained in the protected areas of the frame and barrel, and a smooth
brown-gray patina on the balance. The grips are very fine with some minor handling marks and most of
if these pistols were actually safe to fire. It is hard to imagine they were given that if gas leaked back into the rear cylinder it could cause the
pistol to explode. Nonetheless, these were innovative firearms for their day and very scarce pieces of firearms curiosa. This pistol is marked “ORVILLE PERCIVAL/INVENTOR/MOODUS CONN. 1840.” Unlike some more refined later Percival-Smith pistols, this one does not have vent
holes along the rotating collar nor vents on the cap for the ball drum. The barrel design is also different. The left side of the action has a “610_262H” collection marking.
CONDITION: Fine as custom made with 75% refinished bright blue finish remaining on the hammer, trigger, and trigger guard. The barrel is a mix of faded blue finish and patina. The brass components have a stripped appearance of mixed bright and aged tones. The grips are very fine and have an attractive figure and minor scratches and dings. Appears to be mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
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LOT 1018
the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 7,500 - 12,000
Interesting Copy of a Orville Percival
Patent Repeating Pellet Lock Pistol
- NSN, 25 cal., 6 3/4 inch round bbl., blue/bright finish, walnut grips. Orville Percival and Aza Smith designed an
unusual pistol design in the mid-19th century that utilized two drums to hold the balls, powder, and primers. The latter were contained within a tube in the rear drum. Very few of the pistols are believed to have been manufactured by Horace Smith prior to his association with Daniel Wesson. Rotating the drums upwards reloads the pistol. It is not clear