Original Item: Only One Available. The Smith & Wesson Model 1 was the first firearm manufactured by Smith & Wesson, with production spanning the years 1857 through 1882. It was the first commercially successful revolver to use rimfire cartridges instead of loose powder, musket ball, and percussion caps. It is a single-action, tip-up revolver holding seven .22 Short black powder cartridges. During the production run it was issued 3 times, with significant changes to each revision.

The 2nd Issue of the Model 1 looked similar to the 1st Issue, with several notable differences. The side plate on the 2nd Issue was much larger and irregularly shaped. The profile of the frame was flatter (a likely concession for manufacturing efficiency), and the hammer was now made in one piece. Model 1 2nd Issues still had the flared, square cornered shaped grip and the octagonal tip-up style frame, and at first glance the two issues are easy to confuse.

There are several variations of the 2nd Issue guns. Variants between serial numbers 12,000 through to about 20,000 involve the shape of the side plate ("straight" or "round"), the design of the trigger spring (flat spring, V spring or coil spring), and the number of patent dates on the cylinder (two or three). There was also a decrease in the size of the barrel roll stamps at around serial number 95,000. There were approximately 110,000 2nd Issues produced from 1860 through 1868, with serial numbers ranging from approximately 12,000 (following the 1st Issue) through to approximately 120,000

This very nice example has a silver plated and blacked / tarnished brass frame with a steel barrel and cylinder. Originally the barrel would have been case hardened, but cleaning has removed all of that finish, so now it has a gray oxidized patina, with a few areas of past peppering. The revolver is also fitted with lovely ivory grips, which look to be factory original!

It is marked with serial number 50184 on the bottom of the grip and on the inside of the left grip scale. It also is marked with assembly number 889 on the left side of the grip frame. However, the front of the cylinder and the back of the barrel are marked with number 007, so it is possible that they were swapped out during the revolver's service life, a relatively common occurrence.

The model 1 is loaded by actually unhooking the bottom of the barrel so it could swivel upwards, allowing the entire cylinder to be removed in order to reload. Fitted with spur trigger, these were an extremely convenient little multi shot revolver ideal for a lady or gambler. Fully marked along the top of the barrel:-

On the 2nd Issue, the patent information is stamped onto the side of the smooth cylinder, which is still mostly present, with a bit lost due to peppering:

The grips are in very good condition, though the right side grip did suffer damage to the front toe, and has had a piece grafted into place to replace it. They have a lovely aged yellow color with great grain, showing over a century of age and mellowing. The revolver exterior finish shows that it saw use and cleaning, with the plating on the brass frame worn through on the edges. It does however still retain much of the "bluing" on top of the plating. The finish on the barrel and other steel components show an aged gray oxidized patina, giving it a great "broken in" look.

The revolver cycles great, with accurate indexing and a firm cylinder lockup. We did not notice any of the usual finicky behavior we often see on revolvers of this age. The bore is in excellent condition, showing crisp lands and grooves with a bright finish. There is just a bit of haze and wear, making this one of the best bores we have ever seen on one of these black powder revolvers.

A very nice example of an early cartridge revolver with some great looking grips, ready to display!

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: 1860 - 1868
Caliber: .22 Short Blackpowder
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Blackpowder Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 1/8 inches
Overall Length: 7 inches
Action: Single Action
Feed System: 7 Shot Revolver

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to most US States and most U.S. territories.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to most addresses within the United States.