STANDARD CATALOG OF SMITH & WESSON

The major model classifications of S&W Tip-up revolvers. Model 1 is .32 caliber six-shot. Model 1-1/2 is a five-shot .32, with a square butt and unfluted cylinder on the Old Model and a birdshead butt and fluted cylinder on the New Model. The Model 1 is a seven-shot .22. The Mod. 1 First Issue has a circular sideplate and rounded frame sides. Rare early variations have a “bayonet” style latch rather than the standard latch shown above. Mod. 1, Second Issue has a large irregular sideplate and flat sides of the frame, retaining the square butt and unfluted cylinder of the 1st Issue. Mod. 1, 3rd Issue has a birdshead butt and fluted cylinder. ArmchairGunShow.com photo.

This section covers tip-up (or bottom-break) revolvers. They are listed by model number. Model number indicates frame size from smallest to largest:

• Chambered for .22 or .32 rimfire cartridges (Also .41 rimfire, prototype only)

Operation: Gun is opened for loading by lifting latch at bottom front of frame, below barrel. Barrel tips up and cylinder slips out. Empty cases are manually punched out of the cylinder using the ejector stud, which is parallel to and below the barrel. Cartridges are then loaded into the cylinder before it is replaced in the gun. Latch catches automatically when the barrel is lowered to closed position. The hinge was a weak point on these revolvers, and many will be found with a loose lock-up between barrel and frame, often to the extent that the barrel has a noticeable wobble. This “tightness or looseness” of the hinge will slightly affect values.

Terminology: Throughout the Tip-up and Top-break sections, we have used the expediency of stating that these spur-triggers have no trigger guard. This is not literally accurate. On most models, the sides of the frame extend downward to protect the trigger, forming a sort of integral trigger guard. What we mean by no trigger guard is that these revolvers lack the guard that surrounds the trigger such as we are used to seeing on most modern handguns.

The terms “tip-up” and “top-break” seem to be predominant in describing the two very different types of revolvers discussed in this and the next sections of this book. However, this usage of the terminology is not universal. There are some who call tip-ups “bottom-breaks,” which is accurate, since the latch on tip-ups opens the gun from the bottom front of the frame. Possibly more confusing, however, is the fact that the term “tip-up” is used by some to describe top-break shotguns (such as most double barrel shotguns). As a result, you will sometimes hear top-break revolvers referred to as tip-ups, although seldom by an individual who has much familiarity with older revolvers.

SAFETY TIPS

• Do not fire modern ammunition in these guns.

• Never carry an old single action revolver with a live round under the hammer.

Serial Numbers and Assembly Numbers: Serial number identifies the specific gun, and appears stamped in the metal of the grip butt (visible without removing grips), and is usually stamped in the wood on the inside of the right grip. These numbers should be the same.

An assembly number, consisting of one to three characters (numbers, letters, or both) appears stamped in three places on the gun: the rear of the barrel under the bore (gun must be open to find it), the front or rear of the cylinder (sometimes obscured by corrosion), and the grip frame under the grips (grips must be removed to find it). These numbers should all match. See comments in opening chapters on the effect of mismatched numbers on value.

Legal Status: All S&W tip-up revolvers are antiques since they were all manufactured prior to 1899.

The Model Number One was introduced in 1857 and was manufactured in various forms through 1881. This minuscule weapon marked both the beginning of the era of the self-contained cartridge and the beginning of the firm of Smith & Wesson. Both legacies continue to this day.

Samuel Colt’s revolver, introduced in the late 1830s, revolutionized firearms technology by providing a reliable repeating mechanism. Like other guns of the era, the Colts had to be loaded by packing each of the chambers with loose black powder and a lead ball, followed by placing a percussion cap on the nipple of each chamber. Six shots in rapid succession was a great leap forward, but the reloading process was cumbersome and time consuming.

Pre-loading the ball and powder into fragile paper cartridges would speed things up somewhat, but not much. What was needed was a repeating gun that would chamber a self-contained cartridge that would stand up to the rigors of weather and rough handling and could be quickly loaded and unloaded.

The first Smith & Wesson partnership took a preliminary stab at the problem with their lever action repeating pistol, as discussed in the previous section.

Meanwhile, in Europe progress was being made toward developing self-contained cartridges using a metal case to hold the powder and/or primer. Both pinfire cartridges (wherein a firing pin protruded from each cartridge) and Flobert cartridges (an underpowered early rimfire type concept) showed some promise.

Slowing development in the U.S. was the fact that Colt held an exclusive patent for the revolving mechanism necessary to make an effective revolver. When that patent expired, D. B. Wesson invented the .22 rimfire cartridge and a small 7-shot spur trigger revolver to fire it. Smith & Wesson teamed up again to manufacture the new type of gun.

One impediment proved to be that the concept of a revolver cylinder bored through from one end to the other had been previously patented by one Rollin White. White had patented the bored-through cylinder incidental to a plan to improve Colt’s revolver. Colt had not been interested in White’s concept.

S&W soon purchased the right to use the Rollin White patent and began manufacture. The White patent provided S&W with a virtual monopoly on the manufacture of effective cartridge revolvers through 1872.

S&W called their little .22 rimfire cartridge the Number One cartridge, a name that came to be applied to the gun that fired it. The cartridge was essentially the same as the .22 Short that is still sold today. However, modern smokeless ammunition should NEVER be fired in these little old .22s. The Model Number One is the gun that started it all.

Caliber: .22 Rimfire Short (see note). This is a single action revolver with a 7-shot non-fluted cylinder having a 3-3/16” octagonal barrel, tip-up style frame, and spur trigger. Finish is normally a silver plated brass frame, with a blue barrel and blue cylinder. The frame is of a square butt design with smooth rosewood grips. Pearl or ivory were available on special order. The front sight is a round blade, with a notch in the cylinder stop for a rear sight. This frame has rounded sides with no trigger guard. A small circular sideplate is located on the left side. Patent dates are marked on the cylinder. Early production was marked “April 3 1855.” later changed to “Apr. 1855.” Most 5th and all 6th Types will have two patent dates – “April 3, 1855” and “June 15, 1858.”

Collectors recognize six different “types” of this model. This model has special collector appeal, as it is the first revolver produced by S&W and the first production American revolver for a metallic cased cartridge. For a detailed discussion of the six types, refer to the Neal & Jinks book. Collector’s shorthand: Sometimes called the “1st-1st,” or followed by type, thus: “1st-1st-3rd.” See below for serial number range sorting. 11,671 firearms were manufactured. (This is the total of all six types of the Model Number 1 1st Issue). Produced 1857-1860.

ID Key: .22 tip-up with square/flared butt, round-sided frame (cross section of frame behind hammer would be oval); small round sideplate.

Scarce Model One First Issue 1st and 2nd Types have the “bayonet” style latch show shown in the detail inserts. Old Town Station photo.

1st Type: serial number 1 - 213: This issue has a barrel latch that is a spur or “bayonet” projecting from the bottom front of the frame (also described as a “flat spring” style latch); the revolving recoil plate is attached by a small separate exterior key.

The 1st, 1st, 1st is so rarely found and so highly sought after that listing probable pricing is extremely speculative.

Values: should run in the low- to mid-five figure range, depending on condition.

AUCTION BLOCK
1st, 1st, 1st – “Good…20-25%” - $19,550 – James D. Julia Auction, March 2003.

2nd Type: serial number 213 to about 1130: The projecting spur barrel latch is continued; the key fastening the recoil plate to the frame was changed and made part of the frame. Rarely found, values speculative, will bring less that 1st Type. Most would probably sell in the mid- to high-four figure range.

AUCTION BLOCK
1st, 1st, 2nd, “very good overall” - $5,463 – Rock Island Auction, April 2006.

1st, 1st, 2nd, “very fine…40-50%” - $6,325 – James D. Julia Auction, March 2003

3rd Type: serial number about 1130 to about 3000: The barrel catch was changed and now made with side projections and is spring-loaded.

4th Type: serial number from about 3000 to about 4200: The diameter of the recoil plate is reduced.

5th Type: Serial number from about 4200 to about 5500: The barrel rifling changed from three left hand grooves to a five right hand groove twist.

AUCTION BLOCK
1st, 1st, 5th, factory engraved by Inshaw, “good…20%/patina” - $8,625 – James D. Julia Auction, March 2003.

6th Type: serial number from about 5500 to about 11671: The final change was to eliminate the rotating plate and a ratchet was made a part of the cylinder.

AUCTION BLOCK
1st, 1st, 6th; “excellent…95% blue…100% silver…w/ gutta percha case” - $9,080 – Greg Martin Auctions, April 2006.

“2” marked: A few Model One First Issue Sixth Type revolvers have surfaced with the number 2 stamped above the serial number on butt of the gun. The significance of this marking, if any, is unknown. Speculation has included that it might represent: a) duplicate serial number guns, b) guns ordered as pairs, or c) second quality guns (such as those known to exist in Model Number 1, 2nd & 3rd Issue series).

NOTE: The ammunition designed for this revolver was loaded with black powder and developed considerably less power than the .22 Rimfire Short as we know it today. Modern smokeless powder ammunition may not be used in any Model Ones as the pressures are much too high.

Caliber: .22 Rimfire Short black powder loading (see note above). Similar to the 1st Issue, except with a flat-sided frame and a larger irregularly shaped sideplate on the left side (as opposed to the circular sideplate on the Model One First Issue). Has a 7-shot non-fluted cylinder with a nominal length of .653”; 3-3/16” octagonal ribbed steel barrel; finish is blued barrel and cylinder with a silver plated brass frame, or a full plating in nickel. Patent dates on the cylinder of “April 3, 1855 & July 5, 1859” have been observed. The front sight is a round blade, with a notch cut in the rear of the cylinder stop for a rear sight. Single action tip-up frame with a spur trigger. Approximately 4,402 had slight casting flaws, and were marked “2D QUALTY.” Serial number range is continued from 1st Issue: 11672 - 126361. A total of 117,000 of these firearms were manufactured c. 1860-1868.

ID Key: .22 tip-up with square/flared butt with flat-sided frame; large irregular sideplate.

AUCTION BLOCK
1st 2nd, gold and blue, Gustave Young engraved “95% gold…70% blue” - $7,840 – Greg Martin Auctions, June 2002.

PRICE CHECK
1st 2nd, in original box, “excellent”, listed for $3,500 – Old Town Station Dispatch, 2005.

Engraved & inscribed 1st 2nd, “excellent plus” listed for $2,250 – ArmchairGunShow.com, 2006.

AUCTION BLOCK
• 2nd Qual. 1st 2nd, “fine plus” - $743 - Supica’s Old Town Station, Oct. 2003.

• Straight sideplate: Early production has a straight line rather than a curved line at the top rear of the sideplate. May be triple above values.

• Two patent date cylinders: The first 20,000 or so have the two patent dates on cylinder (1855 & 1859), worth slight premium. Third patent date of December 18, 1860 was added later and is more common.

It is estimated that 5,000 gutta-percha cases were made for the Model Number One 1st Issue and 2nd Issue by a company called Littlefield and Parsons. Gutta-percha may be considered an early type of plastic, and looks and feels similar to the hard rubber material commonly used for nineteenth century pistol grips, but with less luster.

Two types of cases are commonly recognized and are identified by the images molded in relief on their lids. The pistol type case has a Model One 1st Issue on the lid and the Stand of Flags case has a cluster of flags on poles as the central decoration. The interior is velvet lined and includes an irregularly shaped holder for about 56 cartridges.

Old gutta-percha is a rather fragile material, and cracks and chips are not uncommon. The hinge connection is especially delicate. Surviving cases are highly sought after by collectors, and will bring $2000 to $6000 depending on variation and condition.

Gutta-percha cases were made by the same manufacturer for other small handguns, as well as for playing cards and other purposes. Model Ones are sometimes found paired with these other types of cases. While valuable, they don’t bring the premium paid for those originally made for the guns.

Finally, it is worth noting that in just the past few years excellent reproductions of S&W gutta percha cases have been made on a very limited basis. The craftsman making these indicates that he is not doing so with the intention of having them passed as original. It’s possible that these can be distinguished from originals by a specialist expert in this field, but the reproductions are good enough to fool the authors. As with any quality “reproduction” or “restoration,” there is a regrettable tendency for the true nature of the piece to become “lost” after it has changed hands a few times. Caveat emptor.

Wooden cases were sold by M. W. Robinson, and doubtless others, and are worth $250 to $500. Further information on cases for tip-up revolvers can be found in an article by Robert Howard in the SWCA Journal, 25th Anniversary reprint, Book I, pg. 146-150.

AUCTION BLOCK:
Three gutta percha cases for Mod. Ones, pistol style lids – “very fine” - $2,588; another “extremely fine” - $2,990; another “extremely fine” - $2,415 – James D. Julia Auction, March 2006.

Original containers for Model Ones – Flags g.p. case, “good” -$4,840; cardboard box for Mod. 1, “good” - $5,610; Pistol g.p. case, “fairly good…chipped edges” - $1,650; Pistol g.p. case, “excellent” - $3,410. “M.W. Robinson” style partitioned wood cases, $908 &$825 - Supica’s Old Town Station, Oct. 2003.

Caliber: .22 Rimfire Short (see note), similar to the 2nd Issue, except was now manufactured with a fluted cylinder, birdshead butt rather than square, and round ribbed barrel rather than octagon. Offered in two barrel lengths. The frame is now made with a round butt shape with a birdshead grip with smooth rosewood finish stocks. Available finish was blue, nickel, or a nickel frame with blue barrel and cylinder (half-plate). Round blade front sight, with a notch rear sight in the cylinder stop. Seven were marked “2D QUALTY” due to some slight defects. Special order grips could be pearl or ivory, plain or carved. Single action with no safety or half cock notch. The 2-11/16” barrel is much scarcer and has S&W and patent markings on the left side of the barrel. The standard 3-3/16” barrel has markings on the top rib with Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass and patent dates of “April 3, 55 - July 5, 59 -Dec 18, 60.” Production by serial number broken down by year and month can be found can be found in an article by Roy Jinks in the SWCA Journal, 25th Anniversary reprint, Book I, pg. 152 - 153. Serial number range 1 - 131163. A total of 131,163 were manufactured c. 1868 - 1881.

AUCTION BLOCK
1st 3rd, “excellent to as new, in partial box” - $2,200 - Supica’s Old Town Station, Oct. 2003.

PRICE CHECK
Factory Gustave Young engraved 1st 3rd, in wood case, “90+%”, listed at $5,650 – David Carroll, 2006

• Short barrel: (may actually measure between 2-5/8" to 2-3/4"), may bring 50% to 100% premium.

AUCTION BLOCK
Short barrel 1st, 3rd; “excellent but mismatched” - $550 - Supica’s Old Town Station, Oct. 2003.

• “2D QUALTY” marked: Very rare value would be in range of 10 times the standard model or more; beware of fakes.

CONTEMPORARY COMMENTARY ON THE MODEL ONE

“I was armed to the teeth with a pitiful little Smith &Wessons seven-shooter, which carried a ball like a homeopathic pill, and it took the whole seven to make a dose for an adult. But I thought it was grand. It appeared to me to be a dangerous weapon. It had only one fault – you could not hit anything with it. One of our conductors practiced a while on a cow with it, and as long as she stood still and behaved herself she was safe; but as soon as she went to moving about, and he got to shooting at other things, she came to grief.” – Mark Twain

“Yep, I’ve seen that kind, but never handled ‘em. I was afeared I’ d break it.” – Jim Bridger

“Boy, if you shoot me with dat and I find out, I put you acrost my knee and spank hell outen you.” – Old Nick Janis on examining Alson B. Orstrander’s S&W Model One

As may be apparent from the quotes above, a more powerful cartridge was soon found to be desirable. Make no mistake about it however – no one wanted to be shot by the greasy dirty little .22 projectile from a Model Number One in the days before antibiotics. This is readily proven by its popularity into the 1880s and its plethora of imitators. Furthermore, the concept of a revolver firing a self-contained weatherproof metallic cartridge was an immediate success that continues today.

However, S&W readily recognized that a round with more immediate authority was desirable, especially for military usage. This led to the development, on the eve of the Civil War, of the Number Two .32 rimfire cartridge and the 6-shot Model Number Two to shoot it.

While hardly a powerhouse, the .32 rimfire was a considerable improvement over the .22 – so much so that the Model Number Two became a tremendous favorite as a personal sidearm among Civil War officers. While the gun was never officially adopted by any military, this popularity gave rise to its common nickname among collectors – the Model Two Old Army.

With the slackened demand for all guns following the Civil War, S&W wanted to introduce a more civilian oriented pocket version of the popular Model Two, while retaining the more powerful .32 cartridge. They did this by slightly shrinking the overall design, and going from a 6-shot to a 5-shot cylinder.

What with already producing a Model Number One and a Model Number Two, S&W was faced with the dilemma of what to call their new gun that fell in between the two previous sizes. They came up with the logical, if somewhat ungainly, moniker of Model Number One and a Half.

Thus the foundation was laid for the S&W practice of numbering frame sizes, which was carried over into their top-break models.

The results of a survey of Model One and a Half revolvers can be found in an article by Vern Eklund in the SWCA Journal, 25th Anniv. reprint, Book 2, pg. 367.

COLLECTOR’S TIP

It is easy to become confused by the nearly identical model names of the tip-up .32s and the top-break .32 and .38 single actions. Seebackground information at the beginning of the top-break section for clarification.

Model Number One-and-a-Half Old Model (a.k.a. Model One-and-a-Half, 1st Issue)

Caliber: .32 Rimfire. Single action revolver with tip-up frame (bottom break action), 3-1/2” octagonal barrel length was standard, with a 4” (rare) octagonal barrel was later made available. Has a 5-shot non-fluted cylinder and a spur trigger with no guard. This model has no safety or half cock notches. This model is the only one of the tip-up models to have the cylinder stop in the bottom strap of the frame. The frame and barrel are made of steel and were fitted for the .32 Short but will fire the .32 Long cartridge. A removable side plate is found on the left side of the frame. Standard finish was blue or nickel or silver plating on special order. The frame has a square butt with rosewood grips as standard, with ivory or pearl on special order. A round blade front sight was driven into but not pinned into the barrel rib. The rear sight is a notch cut into the hammer thumb piece. Six are marked “2D QUALTY” due to small casting flaws. Most parts are reported to have been made by King & Smith in Middletown, Conn., and assembled in Springfield, Mass. Markings of “Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass. Pat’d Apr. 3rd, 1855 and July 5th, 1859” are observed. Dates of “Nov 21, 1865” were added later after serial 15,304. Serial number range 1 to about 26300 Nearly 26,300 guns were made circa 1865-1868

AUCTION BLOCK
1-1/2 Old Model, Kittredge marked, “about excellent, 85-90%” -$1,650 - Supica’s Old Town Station, Oct. 2003.

Caliber: .32 rimfire. Possibly around 650 produced with the Old Model unfluted cylinder and octagonal barrels with the New Model birdshead grip frame. One reported feature of the transition models is a wider frame where it receives the barrel latch. It is reported that 450 were shipped to C.W. May for export to Japan in 1869, with about 200 shipped to J.W. Storrs on April 19, 1869. Approximate serial number range 27200 - 28800.

Scarce Transitional Model combines the birdshead butt of the New Model with the unfluted cylinder and octagonal barrel of the Old Model. ArmsBid.com photo.

AUCTION BLOCK
Trans. 1-1/2, “excellent…95-97%”, in period case - $4,950 - Supica’s Old Town Station, Oct. 2003.

Model Number One-and-a-Half New Model (a.k.a. Model One-and-a-Half, 2nd Issue)

Caliber: .32 Rimfire Long. Single action tip-up frame, similar to the 1st Issue, except with a birdshead grip and round butt frame rather than square butt, fluted cylinder, and round ribbed barrel rather than octagon. Rosewood grips, 5-shot cylinder. Standard finish is blue or nickel finish, with gold or silver available on special order. Tip-up style frame, spur trigger with no guard, 3-1/2” barrel, a round blade front sight is driven into the barrel with a notch cut in the back of the cylinder stop for a rear sight. The 2-1/2” round barrel is rare with markings on the side (standard length barrel has markings on top of barrel rib). Forty-one marked “2D QUALTY” due to slight flaws. Serial number range: 26301 - 127100. Nearly 100,700 revolvers were made c. 1868-1875.

AUCTION BLOCK
Double cased pair of 1-1/2 New Model, “excellent plus” - $4,675 - Supica’s Old Town Station, Oct. 2003.

PRICE CHECK
Double British-cased pair 1-1/2s, “superb…99%”, listed for $5,750 – N. Flayderman & Co., 2006.

L.D. Nimschke shop attributed engraved 1-1/2, “99.5%”, listed at $3,350 – David Carroll, 2006.

Engraved & inscribed 1-1/2, “excellent…95-90%”, listed at $1,250 – Old Town Station Dispatch, 2005.

Historic Note: Serial number 41993 owned by General and President Ulysses S. Grant has the blue finish and is engraved with a case. Gold inlaid, carved pearl grips, pictured on page 172 of second edition of this book.

AUCTION BLOCK
The Gen. Grant 1-1/2 was reported as sold at auction for $548,800, Greg Martin Auctions, June of 2002, the highest auction price listed in this edition of this book.

Rare short barrel variation. Note markings moved to side of barrel for this variation. ArmsBid.com photo.

Caliber: .32 Rimfire Long. Single action revolver built on a tip up frame with a 6-shot non-fluted cylinder having a nominal length of 1.18”. Octagonal ribbed barrels with lengths of 5”or 6” were standard, with 4” rare and 8” extremely rare. Barrels are usually marked “Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass.” Cylinders are marked “Patented April 3, 1855, July 5, 1859 & Dec 18, 1860” in very fine letters around the circumference. Smooth rosewood grips on a square butt frame were standard, (usually with the guns serial number on the right panel) with pearl or ivory and other materials available. An assembly or casting number is found near the barrels forcing cone, on the cylinder face and under the grip on the frame in rough characters. tip-up style frame, no trigger guard (spur trigger). A round blade front sight was driven into the barrel, the rear sight was a notch cut into the cylinder stop leaf. The frame has a sideplate on the left side held in place with one screw. This was a popular Civil War sidearm but was never officially purchased by the army. Forged wrought iron frame. Many look-alike copies were produced abroad. Finish: It is estimated that 80% were blue and 10% nickel, with the remainder half-plate, silver, engraved, or other specials. Advanced collectors recognize as many as nine different types of the Model Two. Of the total production, 35 were marked “2D QUALTY” due to slight casting imperfections.

The early production of this model made with two pins (rather than three) in the topstrap. Four-inch barrels were made 1864-67 and are quite rare – beware of cut barrels. Only ten revolvers were manufactured with an 8” barrel.

Interesting modified specimens of the Model Two have been observed. Bear in mind that such modifications are often likely to have resulted from later gunsmithing outside the S&W factory, unless they can positively be identified from factory records. One such extremely rare variation consists of guns with sideplate mounted safety, origin unknown. The few known examples are in the 57000 serial number range. Other Model Twos have been observed with dual firing pins for centerfire and rimfire cartridges, or adapted for rod ejection.

An extensive and interesting article by Ronald H. Curtis can be found in Vol. 1 of the SWCA reprint of the S&W Journal on pages 78 through 82, where he identifies nine different evolutionary Types of the Model Two, and in the Butterfield’s auction for the Feb. 27, 2001, auction of the John Otteman Collection.

AUCTION BLOCK
Nickel Mod. 2, “minty…98%” - $3,680 – Amoskeag, Garbrecht collection, Sept. 2005.

Cased nickel Mod. 2, “excellent plus…about 100%” - $4,950 – Supica’s Old Town Station, Oct. 2003.

Cardboard box only for Mod. 2 - $3,850 - Supica’s Old Town Station, Oct. 2003.

Mod. 2, Nimschke engraved, inscribed to Col. J.H. Wood, cased, “very good” – $6,160 – Greg Martin Auctions, June 2002.

PRICE CHECK
Pair of Mod. 2s inscribed “Judge Orson Brooks / Denver Colo,” one Kittredge stamped, with history and documentation, “much wear and use; age brown,” listed for $4,950 – N. Flayderman & Co., 2006.

Factory cased Mod. 2, “excellent plus…85%”, listed for $3,800 – Gutterman Historical Weapons, Inc.

Mod. 2, “excellent…85%”, listed for $2,495 – David Chicoine, GunsAmeric.com, 2006.

Mod. 2, “absolute best condition”, listed for $6,500 – David Carroll, 2006.

Engraved Mod. 2, “fine,” listed at $1,950 – Old Town Station Dispatch, 2005.

• Serial number 30619 attributed to Wild Bill Hickok, reportedly on his person the day he was killed.

• The first S&W to be officially adopted by a police department, the Kingston Ontario Canada Police Department, 42000 serial number range, no known markings.

• About 2600 were made marked Kittridge & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, on the left side of the barrel for that famous distributor; serial numbers are under 10000.

• The probability of Civil War usage may be estimated by knowing that the serial number cutoff for 1864 production is 29359, and for 1865 production cutoff is 48475.

Advanced collectors may recognize up to nine types of the Model 2 as it went through evolutionary changes. More information can be found in an article by Ron Curtis in the SWCA Journal, 25th Anniversary reprint, Book 1, pp. 78 - 82.

Caliber: .41 Rimfire S&W, this model was produced in 1867 on a limited basis and fashioned after the Model 1-1/2 New Model on a slightly larger scale. It was made to hold only four cartridges. Built with a birdshead grip with smooth wood stocks. Two of this model were exhibited at the 1867 Paris Exposition. Serial number 38, finished in nickel, is known to exist. No other examples are as yet known, although an unfinished specimen has been reported. Estimated serial range is 1 - 50. All were made in 1867. Too rare to estimate value; an authentic specimen would certainly make it into five figures.

The self-contained metallic cartridge system introduced with the Model One was an immediate success. S&W owned the Rollin White patent for a cylinder bored through end-to-end necessary for an effective cartridge revolver. This patent was widely infringed by various manufacturers during the 1850s and 1860s. Other makers went to lengths to evade the patent by developing alternate cartridge ignition systems not utilizing a straight bored through cylinder. The resulting designs were often rather awkward.

In addition, during that period and extending into the 1870s, a number of firms in the U.S. and abroad made revolvers patterned more or less directly on the S&W tip-up designs.

A thorough discussion of these fascinating fields is well beyond the scope of this book. We will only attempt to briefly discuss them, giving some examples. A good source for more details on the individual models is Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms. An interesting account of the patent litigation is found in the Parsons S&W book. More information can be found in an article by Frank Sellers in the SWCA Journal, 25th Anniversary reprint, Book 1, pg. 43-49 and 55-60.

There are at least two notable instances of revolvers legally manufactured by firms other than S&W using the White patent. Rollin White Arms Co. (later continuing as Lowell Arms Co.) made solid frame spur-trigger .22 revolvers by agreement with S&W, some of which were marked “MADE FOR SMITH &WESSON.” The system was also licensed Remington to convert some of their large frame New Model Army revolvers to fire a .46 rimfire cartridge, and these may be found marked “PATENTED APR 3’d 1855” on the cylinder.

S&W and Rollin White actively pursued legal avenues to protect their patent. These generally met with good success.

Probably the most blatant copies were those made by Manhattan Firearms Co. in the early 1860s. These were very closely patterned after the Model 1, 1st issue, including the rounded frame and circular sideplate. More than one beginning S&W collector has snatched up a Manhattan thinking he was holding a rarer and more valuable S&W “first-first.” Besides the barrel marking, a quick tip off to a Manhattan is that its hammer spur is not “hinged” in the same manner as a Mod. 1, 1st Issue S&W. A slightly later Manhattan model is very similar to the Mod. 1, 2nd Issue as well.

Early Prescott “S&W Style” revolvers are other infringement models that are very similar in appearance to the S&W line, although solid frame rather than tip-up. Several of the manufacturers who originally infringed the patent have their later production marked with the S&W patent, or words to the effect that the revolver in question was made for S&W, usually including the familiar Rollin White patent date of April 3, 1855. This was in response to the settlement of the main S&W/Rollin White patent infringement suit. Bear in mind that, other than using a bored-though cylinder, many of these revolver designs differ from S&W’s tip-ups. A list of some of those which eventually bore S&W-related markings would include:

• Bacon Navy Model Revolvers are solid frame spur trigger 6-shot .38 rimfire revolvers, later models marked “PAT. APRIL 3, 1855.” Bacon also made .22 & .32 rimfire revolvers during the patent period.

• Moore’s Seven Shooter – Open-top SA revolver with trigger guard, .32 rimfire, c. early 1860s, sometimes marked “MF’D FOR SMITH & WESSON.”

• Pond Pocket & Belt revolvers – solid frame spur-trigger .32 rimfire revolvers, c. 1860s, some found marked “MANUF’D FOR SMITH & WESSON PAT’D APRIL 5, 1855.”

• Springfield Arms Pocket Revolver – Solid frame spur-trigger .22 rimfire with a vague resemblance to a Mod. 1, 2nd, but probably more closely patterned after the Rollin White revolver, sometimes found with S&W related markings.

• James Warner Pocket Revolver – Solid frame .30 rimfire with trigger guard, sometimes seen with “PATENT APRIL 3, 1855.”

Two significant manufacturers, Ethan Allan and Prescott, would not agree to settlement in the patent suit. Eventually, they were enjoined from producing bored-through cylinder revolvers. Prior to that time, each offered several infringing models of single action revolvers.

Other small makers doubtless infringed the patent, or at least certainly used the bored-through cylinder concept while it was still under patent. Most of these, however, are not known to be found with S&W-related markings. These probably include Bliss, Chapman, Copeland, Gibson, Gross Arms, and possibly early James Reid revolvers. The Uhlinger firm apparently took the interesting approach of marking their rimfire revolvers with a number of different names, presumably to avoid patent litigation by hiding the true maker. These names include Cone, Grant and Lower.

One common way to evade the S&W/White patent was to invent a metallic cartridge other than a rimfire type that did not require the chambers in the cylinder to be drilled completely through. These include:

• Cupfire system – Unusual early metallic cartridge system, utilized in the mid-1860s by Connecticut Arms Co. pocket revolvers and Plant Mfg. Co. Front-loading revolvers.

• Crispin cartridge system – Belted rimfire .32 caliber cartridge fired in a split cylinder revolver with lines vaguely similar to the S&W Mod. 2, some marked “Smith Arms.”

• Lipfire system – A lip on the base of the cartridge protruded through notches at the rear of the cylinder. Solid frame .44, .36, .32 and .25 caliber revolvers were made by Ethan Allen successor Allen & Wheelock using this system in the 1860s.

• Teatfire system – Priming compound in small teat on the rear of the cartridge which protrudes through a small hole in the rear of the cylinder chamber. Five-shot .32 cal. spur-trigger open-top revolver made by Moore’s Patent Firearms and National Arms Company, Brooklyn. Moore’s also made a rarer .45-cal. teatfire SA revolver.

Another approach was to make a multi-part cylinder to fire the rimfire cartridge rather than boring a solid cylinder through end to end. Notable examples include:

• Pond Front Loading system - solid frame spur-trigger .32 rimfire revolver, mid to late 1860s, used individual chambers which were loaded into the front of the cylinder.

• Brooklyn Arms Slocum Front Loading Pocket Revolver – .32 rimfire, early 1860s – cylinder functions as a carrier for five individual sliding tubes which serve as the firing chambers

The White patent expired in 1869, and attempts to renew it were unsuccessful. A number of firms manufactured revolvers in the 1870s that were very close, if not exact, copies of the S&W tip-up models.

Manhattan re-started its production of tip-up spur-triggers patterned on the Mod. 1, 2nd Issue in the late 1860s, and is one of the closest domestic copies.

Another major manufacturer, Marlin, based its tip-up revolver designs one the S&W Model 1 and Model 1-1/2, beginning production in the early 1870s and continuing through the late 1880s. Several of these Marlins are also so similar to S&Ws as to sometimes fool a collector at first glance. They also made a .38 centerfire spur-trigger revolver that, although a tip-up, has lines very similar to the S&W .38 SA top-break.

Several smaller manufacturers also made models which look like S&W tip-ups, including:

• Deringer Pocket Revolvers: The relatives of the famous Henry Deringer produced S&W style pocket revolvers in the 1870s in .22 and .32 rimfire. Appearance is very similar to the Mod. 1, 3rd, and New Mod. 1-1/2, with the notable exception of a different style of latch.

• Aetna Arms Co. Pocket Revolver, 7-shot .22 rimfire tip-up that looks like a S&W Mod. 1, 2nd, except with a birdshead butt.

• Bismarck Pocket Revolver, similar to a Mod. 1, 3rd, except with an unfluted cylinder.

• Merwin Hulbert SA .22 Revolver – scarce gun made by well-respected maker in the 1880s is a nearly exact copy of the Mod. 1, 3rd.

• Mohawk Pocket Revolver – rare, 1880s, cosmetically similar to Mod. 1-1/2 New Model, but a solid frame rather than tip-up.

As early as the 1860s and doubtless continuing into the 1870s, the S&W tip-up design was copied in other countries. Some very well-made British copies can be found, and it has been reported that the famous maker Webley manufactured some of them. Copies of the Model Two Old Army are observed which appear virtually identical to S&W Mod. 2s. The most obvious indication of the non-S&W origin of these guns is the complete lack of markings on the barrel rib. Other small clues that may be present on some include tiny British proof marks on barrel and chambers, flat sideplate screw head (rather than rounded as on S&Ws), and sometimes a “keyed” escutcheon in grips.

A very close and well-made copy of the S&W Model 1, 2nd, has also been observed and attributed to Webley manufacture.

Copies of S&W tip-ups were also manufactured in Liege, Belgium, probably by several different makers. These usually tended to be cruder and sometimes less literal copies. Some may exhibit the Belgian “ELG” proof mark.