Original Item: Only One Available. This is an American classic, first introduced in 1865 and produced continuously until 1892. The Smith & Wesson Model 1 ½ was Smith & Wesson's second .32 caliber revolver, intended to combine the small size and convenience of the .22 caliber Model 1 with the larger caliber of the 6-shot "belt sized" Model 2, which was introduced in 1860. Chambered in .32 cal, its cylinder held 5 shots. It was produced in three varieties, termed "issues" by S&W, with total production exceeding 223,000.

The First Issue Model 1 ½ had an non-fluted cylinder and a flat bottomed "square" grip, and was chambered for .32 rimfire ammunition, and approximately 26,000 were produced.

The second issue of the Model 1 ½ can be identified by its fluted barrel & cylinder, as well as the rounded "birds head" shape of the grip butt. Like the 1st Issue, it was also produced in blued steel and nickel-plated varieties, with most models having a 3 ½-inch barrel. It is estimated that less than a thousand models were produced with a 2 ½-inch barrel; these can be positively identified by the barrel markings located on the side of the barrel, as opposed to the markings on the top strap that were applied to 3 ½-inch barrels.

This is a very good example of the Model 1 ½, 2nd Issue Revolver with a 3 ½" barrel, desirable factory nickel plated finish with fantastic aged rosewood grips. Produced by Smith and Wesson from 1868-1875, this was the firm's final improvement of the .32 rimfire tip-up with the more stylish stream-lined barrel, fluted cylinder, and birds head grips. The original Smith & Wesson address and patent dates are still easily readable on the top strap:

✠ SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. PAT. APR.3.55. JULY.5.59 & NOV.21.65 ✠

2nd Issue guns were serial numbered consecutively after the 1st Issue, with numbers ranging from approximately 26,300 through 127,000. Serial number on this example is 103760 placing it in later-production around 1873-1874. This number is found on the bottom of the grip, as well as on the inside of the right grip scale. There is also assembly number B 9 on the right grip frame, back of the barrel, and cylinder. That makes this a very desirable "ALL MATCHING" example, with no major parts swapped out over the years!

Overall condition is really very good, with a lovely lightly worn patina that shows it was well cared for over the years. Overall the nickel plating is well retained on most components, with very little missing on the barrel, while the right side of the frame has lost a good amount due to handling. The cylinder retains the plating at about 50%, showing wear towards the front and also on the back around the cylinder stop slots. Most of the Model 1 ½'s we have had were blued, so having a plated example with this much original finish is a real treat.

The hammer and trigger show a nice light gray patina, with some of the original case hardening visible, mostly on the hammer. The rosewood grips are lovely, retaining over 75% of the original "piano varnish" finish, with wear on the raised areas as is common. Very good screws and pins throughout, and the barrel is nice and tight to the frame, with no side to side wobble, even when open. Action functions flawlessly, with none of the finicky behavior we sometimes see on revolvers of this age. The bore is in very good condition, showing a mostly bright finish with strong lands and grooves. There is some light past fouling and oxidation, now cleaned away, and overall this is well above average for a black powder era revolver.

A lovely nickel plated example of a classic American rimfire revolver, with a lovely bore! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: circa 1870-1871
Caliber: .32cal
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 ½ inches
Overall Length: 7 ½ inches
Action: Single
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

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 all US States and most nations around the world.

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 almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.