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LOT 3199
Exceptional and Rare Nickel
Smith & Wesson Model 1
1/2 First Issue Revolver with
Deluxe Case - Serial no. 12704,
32 RF cal., 3 1/2 inch solid rib
bbl., nickel finish, rosewood
grips. Manufactured from 1865
to 1868. This exceptional cased
S&W Model 1 1/2 First Issue
Revolver features rare factory
nickel plating as most were
blued. The top of the barrel rib
has the standard two-line S&W
address/patent date marking.
The right grip panel is numbered to the gun. The matching assembly number “557” appears on the grip frame under the left grip panel, cylinder, and barrel. The period correct deluxe case contains a cartridge block holding 26 rounds. CONDITION: Excellent, retaining 98% plus original nickel plating with some scattered minor handling marks. The grips are also excellent with some minor handling marks and nearly all of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine showing minor handling/storage marks and typical high spot wear on the lining. An outstanding deluxe cased S&W Model 1 1/2 First Issue Revolver in rare nickel finish.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3200
Civil War Era Smith & Wesson Model No. 2 “Old Army” Revolver with Presentation Case Inscribed to a 35th Massachusetts Infantry Captain - Serial no. 8109, 32 RF cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue/nickel finish, rosewood grips. This Model No. 2 Army was manufactured at the start of the Civil War and has a case featuring a presentation plaque on the exterior of the lid which reads, “To. CAPT. SAM OLIVER/Co. 81 35th MASS. INF./FROM YOUR LOVING WIFE/ MARY.” Capt. Sam Oliver did not start his adult life in the Union Army. Instead he attended Harvard, but dropped
out to enter business in the booming textile mill town of Lawrence, Massachusetts. In 1849 he organized a military company under the name of “The Lawrence Light Infantry”. He became its first captain. Oliver left his militia in 1861 to join the 14th Massachusetts Infantry Unit where he served under Colonel William Greene. After a falling out with his acting chain of command in Colonel William Greene, he helped recruit a company of volunteers that became part of the newly organized 35th Infantry Regiment of Massachusetts. The regiment was instrumental in the Maryland Campaign, including the Battle of South Mountain and Battle of Antietam. Oliver suffered spinal injuries as a result from a shell blast in the waning hours of The Battle of Antietam that left both legs paralyzed. He recovered the use
of his legs over the next year. Oliver applied for a commission in the Veteran Reserve Corps established in 1863 for those unfit for combat duty, yet able to serve in a limited capacity. Oliver ultimately became an officer in the 2nd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery and served in North Carolina, away from frontline action. Oliver received a brevet as colonel of volunteers. As for the revolver, the barrel and frame are blued, and the cylinder is plated in nickel. The right grip panel is mismatched (“29547”). Matching assembly marks on the grip frame, cylinder, and barrel. The partitioned case contains a container, screwdriver, and case key.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 90% bright original high polish blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance and a mixed patina on the butt. The cylinder retains 95% original nickel plating with a few small patches of pitting. The grips are very fine with a slight chip at the heal (right panel), scattered minor handling marks, and much of the original varnish remaining. Mechanically excellent. The relined case is good with some absent veneer on the exterior, minor handling/storage marks, and typical high spot wear on the lining. The presentation plaque has a clear inscription.
148 Estimate: 2,500 - 3,500
LOT 3201
Excellent
Cased Smith
& Wesson
Model 2 Army
Revolver
- Serial no.
40176, 32 RF
cal., 6 inch
solid rib bbl.,
blue finish,
rosewood
grips. This
model was
manufactured
between 1861
and 1874.
This particular
revolver was
made after
the Civil War.
Many of these
were sold
commercially
and used as
personal side
arms by Civil
War soldiers
as it was one
of the only
weapons
able to fire
self-contained cartridges and that could be easily carried as a backup by soldiers going off to
war. The top of the barrel rib is marked “SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD, MASS.”, and the serial number is marked on the butt. The matching assembly number “446” is marked on the left frame heel under the grip, on the front face of the cylinder and back of the barrel lug. German silver blade fixed front sight the 6-shot, unfluted cylinder is marked with the S&W 1855, 1859 and 1860 patent dates around the center. The frame has a spur trigger and three-pin top strap. Fitted with varnished, smooth, two-piece rosewood grips with the matching serial number stamped on the inside of the right panel. Complete in a wooden case with wine colored velvet lining and four compartments. In the case is an original two-piece Union Metallic cartridge box containing five original 32 Short cartridges and six 32 Long cartridges.
CONDITION: Excellent plus. The revolver retains 97% original blue finish with some scattered speckled flaking and some minor muzzle wear. The hammer retains 98% original bright case colors. The grips are also excellent plus with 99% original varnish showing some very minor lower edge wear and a few tiny dings and handling marks. The markings are sharp. Mechanically excellent. The case is very good plus with a slightly warped lid and some minor contact wear. The cartridge box has been covered with cellophane tape some time ago and remains good. An extremely high condition Smith & Wesson Model 2 Army revolver that would be difficult to improve on.
Estimate: 3,500 - 5,000
LOT 3202
Smith & Wesson No.
2 Army Single Action
Revolver with 5 Inch Barrel - Serial no. 69521,
32 RF cal., 5 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, rosewood grips.
Manufactured after 1865, this Old Army features a desirable
and rarely encountered 5 inch barrel. London proofs appear on the barrel and
cylinder. Matching assembly marks on the grip frame, barrel and cylinder. The
right grip panel is numbered to the gun.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel and frame retain 80% original blue finish with thinning to brown on the balance. The cylinder has a smooth brown patina. Front sight blade altered. The grips are also fine with high edge wear and some minor handling marks. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,300 - 1,900