Old West Era Smith and Wesson Model 1-1/2, 2nd Issue

This is a nice example of an early Model 1-1/2 2nd Issue Smith and Wesson Revolver in .32 rimfire we've recently come across. Overall, it's in NRA Antique Fine Condition with 75% frame blue, 35% barrel blue/balance turned to a nice brown patina. The case colors on the cartridge ejector pin below the barrel have turned to a brown patina and the hammer has traces of case colors remaining on the hammer with a brown patina mixed through. Cylinder is mostly a brown patina. The rosewood grips are in Fine untouched condition with about 50% of the original piano varnish intact. No chips, cracks, or repairs. Nice mechanics with a good working ratchet and cylinder stop. The barrel to frame lock-up is excellent with no play or wiggle at all. Bore is pretty decent with strong lands and grooves and a few light scattered pits but not bad for a gun that used black powder and corrosive primers. Excellent barrel markings with 1859 and 1865 patent dates. Serial number in the 70,000 range. Made in the early 1870's. Antique, Pre-1898 production. No FFL Required under Federal law.

A lot of newer collectors have of questions about the difference between the 1st Issue and the 2nd Issues...and confusion about Models. Here's the deal. When it comes to Smith and Wessons, "Model" Numbers pertain to the Frame Size while "Issue" numbers are usually related to a change or improvement to the style of a particular Model.

Model Number One:

These are always in .22 caliber with 7-shot cylinders and small frames. There are 3 different Issues of the Model One.

1st Issues have 6 different variations as this was Smith and Wesson's first revolver and they were making little improvements as they went along pertaining to the latch, recoil shield (as ammunition production improved), and rifling ...but all have octagon barrels and silver plated brass frames that are rounded behind the recoil shield...they also have pivoting hammers and round sideplates with squared off pistol grips. You won't see these very often because they only made fewer than 12,000 of them. I'm going to cut corners here and not go into the 6 sub-variants but just so you know...the early ones are quite rare and valuable. Almost always found with blued barrels/cylinders and silver plated frames. S&W's very first revolver...and historically if I'm not mistaken, the first modern American cartridge gun. Made from 1857-1860. Numbered from 1 to 11,671.

2nd Issues look like 1st Issues except they have squared frames and squared pistol grips. The side plates aren't round...but a much improved large oval shape. They still have brass frames with silver plating and the hammers are a solid one piece design. Almost always blued barrels and cylinders with silver plated frames. Made from 1860 to 1868. Numbered from 11,672-128,000.

3rd Issues look much different from the 1st and 2nd Issues taking on a much sleeker more streamlined appearance. The barrels are round instead of octagon and the 7-shot cylinders are now fluted. The frames are made of iron and can be blued or nickel plated. The grips are rounded style birdshead grips. Made from 1868-1881. Numbered in their own serial range from 1 to 131,163.

Model Number Two:

There is basically one issue for the Model Two...some collectors make a big deal about early ones having two pins holding the cylinder stop vs three pins...but they still look nearly identical. They are always in .32 rimfire caliber with 6-shot cylinders and come with 5" and 6" octagonal barrels. Stylistically, they stayed pretty much the same throughout production having a steel frame, octagon barrel, and square grip handle with rosewood stocks. Usually found in blued finish....although I've seen nickel ones turn up occassionally...and a very few in silver... even a couple that are half silver/half blued (rare). Made from 1861-1874. Numbered 1 to 77,155.

Model 1-1/2's:

These are always .32 rimfire but scaled down from the Model No. 2...about half-way between the size of the Model One and Model Two. They have 5-shot cylinders.

1st Issue looks just like the Model Two with an octagon barrel and square grips...only smaller. Almost always found in blued finish. Made from 1865-1868. Numbered 1 to about 26,000. 2nd Issue looks more like the Model One 3rd Issue with round barrel, fluted cylinder, and birdshead grips giving it a more streamlined appearance. These also were finished in nickel or blue. Made from 1868-1875. Numbered from 26,000 to 100,000. One interesting difference in the 1st and 2nd Issues for the Model 1-1/2 are the cylinder stops bolts. The 1st Issue has the stop bolt on the bottom of the frame which was a departure from the earlier Model 1 and Model 2 design which are located on the top of the frame. When Smith and Wesson did the redesign of the 1-1/2 for the 2nd issue in 1868, they put the stop bolt back on the top of the frame.

Item# i481

$595