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 Model 1, 3rd Issue represented a substantial redesign for the Model 1, with a fluted cylinder, a round barrel and a rounded "bird's head" style grip. Finishes included full nickel plating, full blued steel, and a "half plate" nickel/blue combo, and there were two barrel lengths offered by the factory. Variants include the "square" and "triangular" top strap design that changed around serial number 9,500. The 3rd Issue guns were produced from 1868 through 1882 with serial numbers from 1 through approximately 131,000

This example is in lovely condition, and definitely has been "dressed up" over the years. It is now nickel plated with lovely mother of pearl grips, however close examination shows cleaning marks on the sides of the revolver under the plating, so it was re-plated aftermarket. There would not really be any way to tell whether it was originally blued or nickel plated, other than contacting Smith & Wesson. These early Smith & Wesson designs are 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:-

The revolver bears serial number 74305 on the bottom of the grip, which would probably put production at around 1877-78. The mother of pearl grips are almost certainly not factory, and are not number marked. There are also no visible assembly numbers on the cylinder and frame, most likely worn away before the revolver was nickel plated.

The mother of pearl grips are in excellent condition, and show just a bit of wear and staining around the edges. The revolver action functions well, with accurate indexing, a good cylinder lockup, and crisp dry fire. The cylinder lock is a bit intermittent however, and sometimes does not lock when the hammer is fully cocked. The cylinder also can be rotated by hand when the hammer is fully forward. The bore still shows clear rifling, with a mostly bright finish that shows just a bit of oxidation in areas, especially near the chamber.

A lovely dressed up example of an iconic early revolver design from the legendary Smith & Wesson, ready to display!

Specifications: 

Years of Manufacture: 1868 - 1882
Caliber: .22 Short Blackpowder
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Blackpowder Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 1/8 inches
Overall Length: 6 1/2 inches
Action: Exposed Hammer
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.