Smith & Wesson 2

This is a First Model S&W American .44, which saw service in the Missouri Penitentiary in Jefferson, Mo. in the 1870’s Serial No. 226X has the Eight inch Barrel, and fires the .44 American Cartridge. It is a completely matching revolver, ALL serial Numbers match , including the Grips. The finish is a Patina mix of Factory blue, blended with slight plum colorization and gray. All markings are clear sharp, barrel address, as are all serial numbers. ON THE UPPER BACK STRAP is MO PY, standing for Missouri Penitentiary.  The Prison was sometimes referred as the “Walls”  for it’s thick and high stone walls. It Housed some of the MOST notorious outlaws in Missouri: John Reno, of the Reno Gang of Train Robbers. Bill Ryan of the James-Younger Gang,  Some not as famous, but equally DANGEROUS !  Over a period, it got a more Gruesome “Nick Name” , the 47 Bloodiest Acres in America. This was due to many prison riots, stemming from  hard conditions, and a part of many attempted “break-outs”. This 1st American was there !! Starting in 1870-1871. In service with a Guard. Guards had to purchase their own pistols. The one  carried by this guard picked a S&W American, the BEST Frontier Revolver of the Day, Colt was not yet there, not until 1873-1874, and then limited due to U.S.  Calvary Contracts. Funny, how many of the inmates favored Americans, like the James Younger Gang. The working actions are 100% correct, all phases of unloading, loading, cocking, firing etc… The original grips have a smooth patina finish with no damage. All screw heads slots are clear and straight . Prison marked revolvers of the Frontier and Frontier era are seldom encountered.

Along with the revolver goes an information sheet about the Prison/a brief history.

S&W FACTORY LETTER. FROM 2006, ROY G. JINKS there is  no doubt this is the rarest double action revolver ( or revolver) EVER manufactured by S&W. It was the PERSONAL design and project of Daniel B. Wesson. As early as the 1870’d D.B. Wesson was trying double action designs in .44 caliber. NO ONE had a DA in .44 !! The idea came from a possible Contract with the Russian Navy, they declined, BUT D.B. Wesson kept designing. He wanted a Lighter Weight DA revolver, in large 44 caliber. How was this accomplished? weight was removed by cutting grooves in various locations on the revolver.* On the Frame both sides below the cylinder. Regarding cylinder, the front portion diameter was  reduced. The barrel was standardized at Five inches, all of them, and the barrel rib was grooved the full length. Therefore, the Company Patents, Address, were rolled on the cylinder, between the flutes. The front sight became a blade, BUT with sighting bead on top/standard. By 1888, the Russian Navy declined, The finished units were  held in stock inventory until 1888, when they were added to the Company Catalogue and Price list. By end 1888 beginning 1889 they mysteriously were removed from the Price List. Being reduced to special orders only. D.B. Wesson’s dream of military contracts never materialized, after SIX years , they were sold as Company surplus, as  special orders for $13.75 It should be noted, where did the DA FIRST Model 44 R. pick up the Name Navy Model ?. D.B. WESSON, always  knew Military Names sold revolvers. Also it was his first attempt to sell to the Russian Navy. By 1889 they had disappeared from the Sales Catalogues, as mysteriously AS THEY appeared. Eventually some sold, on special orders, maybe information leaked out about a Light weight .44 Double Action. Serial No. 9732 went to M.W. Robinson

THIS WESSON FAVORITE DID SELL ON DECEMBER 13, 1893, TO M.W. ROBINSON, NY CITY , then to a Customer. Witnessed by the Original Pearl grips, undoubtedly added by Robinson for a Customer, They are the original grips after the walnut grips were changed at customer request.

Currently the ORIGINAL nickel finish is present at about 45-50% level. The balance is a soft muted medium gray patina. The original 5 inch barrel and bead front sight  is still present. ALL factory applied markings are present. Cylinder patents and address, some what faded due to wear. There is still recognizable case coloring on the hammer and trigger . MECHANICALLY : ON ALL working actions it OPERATES 100% CORRECT, DOUBLE AND SINGLE ACTION NO MECHAINICAL PROBLEMS  ; THAT IS OPENING,  EJECTING, CLOSING, LOCKING TIGHT  AND PERFECT CYLINDER ROTATION, LOCKING WHEN COCKING, AND A SMOOTH RELREASE TO FIRE. THE PEARL GRIPS HAVE NO DAMAGE, AND have VIBRANT FIREY RAINBOW  COLORS AND SHOW THEY ARE 143 YEARS OLD, IN PERFECT CONDITION.

ROY G. JINKS LONG TIME HISTORIAN FOR S&W, STATES THEY ARE SO SCARCE, ONLY A HANDFUL CAN BE FOUND IN THE HANDS OF COLLECTORS.,, AND RARER WITH PEARLS.**THIS INFORMATION AND MORE CAN BE FOUND IN ” A History of Smith & Wesson” by Roy G. Jinks. See pages 133- 134

This 1st American, Shipped on June 29, 1871 according to the S&W letter, to M.W. Robinson.

Serial No. 388X is an incredible example of life on the early Frontier. The American shows signs of use and wear, BUT ! about 35+% of the original blue is present, mostly in protected areas. Sides of the barrel, cylinder flutes front of frame. The blending patina gives a much more complete appearance of finish. There are areas of gray  Patina, however this American has never been buffed or polished, an ALL original finish of151 years  of life in the west. The Ivory grips which are original, MW Robinson placed 1871, have the natural life lines and have that Mustard Patina with the antique luster. They are 99% damage free.  This revolver exhibits the appearance of where it was discovered INDIAN TERRITORY, now present day Oklahoma. The Holster is a UNIQUE example of earl decorative style, with Leather FRINGE on the loops, hanging down !!!! Someone really liked this American and put it in a holster a decorative statement. A Holster typical of an Indian Scout or Flashy Frontiersman. Most Important: ALL working actions function 100% correctly, breaking open to eject and the star ejector rises and descend into the cylinder correctly. Ready for re-loading. The working action of cocking, locking, and indexing on each chamber function 100% correctly. NO mechanical issues. If you want a revolver of the early Frontier, this one is the one.

This was an important revolver for S&W, it was the FIRST .32 Rim Fire Model revolver, preceding the No.2 Army. It was a small production of only @26,000 revolvers, and beyond that, ALL the parts were manufactured by King & Smith of Middletown, Ct. S&W assembled all the revolvers and sold them. This revolver Ser. No. 1358X, received top of the line embellishment. It is Engraved by Louis D. Nimschke, all surfaces receiving engraving. Further it is fitted with the ORIGINAL Factory or Nimschke shop, Pearl Grips, which remain in perfect condition. The engraving is intricate and still clear and sharp. The Pearl grips are perfect in radiance and color, with no damage. It has the standard 3-1/2 inch octagonal barrel, five shot cylinder. Regarding the finish: it has about 97-98% original nickel plate finish. What is interesting is the nickel plate, as it shows all the characteristics of the early nickel plating. It is a softer finish , the bright nickel finishes were a few years away. In material published by Robert  (Bob) Schwartz of San Antonio, Texas, it exhibits the early Boetinger process of finish.  A softer less brilliant finish, the bright nickel came later after improvements in the process. Mechanically this 1-1/2 operates 100% correctly, it “tips -up” to open, the cylinder can be loaded, replaced and the revolver closes perfectly. The cocking action is also perfect, as it cocks, indexes, locks tight and releases to fire. As I said a perfect mechanically functioning revolver. This is a splendid Engraved example, by the Master Engraver, of the First Model ( Old Model 1-1/2) suitable for all collectors.

The Ivory grip is relief carved into a typical Civil War era Patriotic motif. The carving is known as ” Lady Columbia” wearing the Liberty Cap and surrounded by an American flag at her neck. The No.2 Army was the largest frame revolver that S&W had to offer during the Civil War, chambered in .32 rim fire long. Serial No. 1980X exemplifies the deluxe treatments available for the right buyer. It was extremely popular with the soldiers, both enlisted and Officers. Many famous personages carried them or owned them, such as George A. Custer, and “Wild Bill” Hickok. The number of presentations to the Military we will never know, BUT this one was certainly a special No.2. It is FULLY and originally Silver Plated, deluxe grips and cased. Mechanically it works 100% correctly on ALL working actions. The case has an antique patina, excellent color and NO damage. The interior is a wonderful wine color showing only age with NO rips or damage. The Silver plate is still very strong , with only a minimal spot or two where some patina has formed. Overall it is a 90% finish, still present. The cylinder still has the 1855 and 1859 original patent dates clearly exhibited around the center of the cylinder.

The Model No. 3 , a.k.a. The American .44 Model, really put S&W into the game ! Prior to 1870, the company’s only “big frame” revolver was the less than big frame Army No. 2 in .32 rim fire. However in 1870 they geared up and introduced the top break, .44 Models, the American Model in .44 AM, and the Old Old Russian Model in .44R, physically the same except for caliber. QUICKLY followed by the 2nd Model, which made a slight change in the frame, to accommodate the stronger trigger hold pin. This 2nd American, Serial No. 2175X, is in remarkable condition. It has about 95% of all the original nickel plated finish. What is IMPORTANT, it has never been touched ! no cleaning, polishing etc… it has that natural 141 year old luster. ALL assembly numbers are matching, all serial numbers match, and ALL parts are original. Mechanically it operates PERFECTLY, breaking open, closing, cocking, locking and firing , every time ! ALL factory applied markings are present and visible.