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LOT 3083
Early Production Factory
Engraved Smith & Wesson
Volcanic Small Frame No. 1 Lever
Action Pistol with Rare Lever
Spur - Serial no. B7, 31 Volcanic cal.,
4 1/8 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, rosewood grips. This pistol is a rare variation of the already scarce
700 Volcanic No. 1 pistols manufactured by Smith & Wesson in 1854-1855, prior to an additional 500 assembled by Volcanic
Repeating Arms Co. Per page 34 of “Volcanic Firearms” by Lewis and Rutter, “Lever spurs were not common. Any small-frame pistol with a lever spur is
quite rare. A few pistols from serial number 1 to 100B were produced with spurs, but no pistols with serial numbers higher than 100B are known.” The serial
number “B7” is marked on the left side of the grip frame, and the matching number “7” is stamped on the underside on
the action, and interior of both grip panels. The octagon section of the barrel is marked in the earlier fashion with “PATENT/
FEB. 14. 1854.” on the upper left, “SMITH & WESSON/NORWICH. CT.” on top, and “CAST-STEEL” on the upper right. The frame, side
plates, and hammer display factory scroll engraving, and the pistol has a post front sight, notch rear sight, half-circle ejection port cutout,
retaining spring screw on the bottom of the frame, loop lever with spur,
and varnished rosewood grips.
CONDITION: Good with a mix of brown patina and antiqued finish, crisp engraving, absent front
spring and barrel screw, and mild wear. The grips are fine and have minor wear and scratches.
Mechanically functions. These Smith & Wesson Volcanic pistols are historically significant and key
pieces for both Smith & Wesson and Winchester collectors, and the No. 1 Volcanic pistols with
lever spurs are very hard to acquire!
Provenance: The Charles Marx Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3084
Cased Factory Engraved Silver Plated Smith & Wesson No. 2 “Old Army” Spur Trigger Revolver with Ivory Grips -
Serial no. 55275, 32 RF cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue/silver finish, ivory grips. Manufactured c. 1865 to 1874, this is a desirable
example of a factory engraved Smith & Wesson No. 2 “Old Army” revolver. The revolver shows lovely flourishes of factory floral
scroll engraving on all of the major components with about half of the surfaces showing coverage. The top of the barrel rib is
marked with the standard one line address. The serial number is marked on the butt and hand marked in pencil inside both
of the grip panels. The matching assembly marking “A10” is marked on the left of the grip frame, front face of the cylinder
(partial), and rear face of the barrel lug. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, notch rear sight on the cylinder stop,
and a pair of smooth ivory grips. Includes a hardwood case, empty box for Hall & Hubbard .32 Long cartridges,
and a cleaning rod.
CONDITION: Fine, retains strong traces of the original blue finish in sheltered areas, the balance mostly a brown patina, 80%
plus of the original silver plating, which shows an attractive dark patina, some scattered patches of light pitting, and crisp
engraving. The grips are also fine with some scattered light handling marks and an attractively aged tone. Mechanically
functions. The case is very good with separated corners, reattached partition, and some moderate handling/storage marks.
The empty cartridge box has a fine picture label and separated corners.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 3085
Historic Cased Civil War Era Smith & Wesson No. 2 “Old Army” Spur Trigger Revolver Inscribed to 2nd Lieutenant
William J. Sherman of the 14th Connecticut Infantry Regiment with Factory Letter and Connecticut State Library
Letter - Serial no. 2962, 32 RF cal., 6 inch solid rib bbl., blue finish, rosewood grips. Manufactured c. 1862, this is a historic
example of a Civil War inscribed Smith & Wesson No. 2 “Old Army” revolver, a very popular revolver for private purchase and
presentation with soldiers during the war. The included factory letter lists this revolver with a 6 inch barrel, blue finish, and
rosewood grips when shipped to J.W. Storrs in New York on 29 March 1862, as part of a 24 gun shipment. This particular
revolver is inscribed on the left side plate to 2nd Lieutenant William J. Sherman as presented by the Scranton Guard.
William J. Sherman of New Haven mustered into Company G of the 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment as a 2nd
Lieutenant on 20 August 1862. The 14th Connecticut had undergone less than a month of training when they received
their baptism by fire at the Battle of Antietam on 17 September 1862. The 14th Connecticut suffered heavy casualties in the
assault on “Bloody Lane”, which is likely where Sherman was wounded. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on the same day,
quite possibly due to a promotion or casualties in the ranks above him. The 14th was again heavily engaged at the Battle
of Fredericksburg in December of 1862, where they took part in the disastrous attack on Marye’s Heights. Sherman was
promoted to captain of Company D of the same regiment on 23 January 1863, but was never mustered into the company
as a captain, quite possibly due to his earlier injury. An included letter from the Connecticut State Library confirms this
information. The 14th Connecticut went on to serve in many more engagements throughout the war, including the Battle of Gettysburg, where they arrived with only 160 men remaining. The
regiment is noted as being involved in the most battles, capturing the most enemy standards, and suffering the most casualties out of all the regiments from Connecticut during the war. The
“Scranton Guards” noted on the inscription are unidentified, but may have been a nickname for Company G of the regiment or a pre-war organization that Sherman was a part of. The top of the
barrel on this revolver has the standard one line address. The serial number is marked on the butt and stamped inside the right grip panel. The matching assembly marking “I7” is marked on the
left of the grip frame, front face of the cylinder, and rear face of the barrel lug. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, a groove rear sight in the top of the cylinder stop, and a pair of very
nicely figured rosewood grips with high-gloss varnish. Includes an attractive hardwood case, Phoenix Metallic Cartridge Co. box with a few cartridges, a cleaning rod, and an oil bottle.
CONDITION: Very fine, retains 70% of the original blue finish and 60% of the original case colors with the balance a plum brown or grey patina. The grips are also very fine with a few minor dings
and an edge chip on the butts, otherwise a few light handling marks, and retaining most of the original varnish. Mechanically excellent. The case is fine with a minor crack in the lid and some mild
handling/storage evidence and the cartridge box is taped around the exterior of the lid. A historic Civil War inscribed “Old Army” revolver!
Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
Collector’s Fact
According to "Volcanic Firearms:
Predecessor to the Winchester Rifle"
by Lewis and Rutter, approximately
1200 Smith & Wesson Small Frame
Repeating Pistols were produced.
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