Original Item: Only One Available. This is in just wonderful almost untouched condition! The Remington "Smoot" patent revolver registered in 1873 was a very early attempt by Remington Arms Company at a breech loading revolver system. The top strap of the barrel is marked:

Beginning in the 1850s, E. Remington & Sons sold an array of pocket pistols and revolvers. At the conclusion of the Civil War and during westward expansion, revolver competition was at an all time high. There was a drive for innovation in order to survive as a company. Remington was one of several manufacturers that focused on the production of pocket pistols and derringers, which ultimately satisfied the concealment needs of late nineteenth-century western society. Beginning in the 1870s, Remington marketed a new line of small revolvers. They often have been erroneously named Remington New Line Revolvers, even though Remington catalogs marketed them as the Remington-Smoot New Model Revolvers or the Smoot’s Patent New Models.

This example is the New Model No.2, and about 3,000 of this Model were made between& 1877 and 1885. It is a five-shot revolver chambered for .32 rimfire short metallic cartridges. This example bears serial number 324 under the grips, so it was made relatively early in production, probably in 1879.

The revolver is heavily Nickel plated, and the finish is still in very good condition, showing some areas of plating loss and oxidation, particularly on the cylinder. It has the correct hard rubber checkered grips. The barrel is 2 3/4" in length. Loading from the right rear of the cylinder there is a sprung loaded ejection rod mounted on the right side of the barrel to assist in the ejection of the spent cartridge cases. The style of ejection rod identifies this as a No.2. The No.1 had a larger rod with a "stepped" reduction in diameter near the end button. The later No.3 was larger in size.

The revolver looks to have seen light to moderate use during its service life, and the bore of the barrel is still in very good condition, with strong lands and grooves and a partly bright finish. There are some areas of fouling and oxidation present from lack of cleaning. The revolver is semi-functional, possibly because it is missing the recoil shield, which would normally be around the ratchet and hold the hand in place. As it is it can te cocked and dry fired, but the cylinder will only advance sporadically.

William Sydney Smoot was an inventor in America who received more than a dozen firearms patents. Smoot was born in 1845 in Norfolk, Virginia. During the Civil War, he was a lieutenant in the First Maryland Infantry as part of the Union. He spent the end of the war as an ordnance officer at Springfield Armory. He resigned from the military in 1870 and began work at Remington the following year. On October 21, 1873, Smoot was issued Patent Number 143,855, which was awarded for an “Improvement in Revolving Fire-Arms.” Smoot’s patent was unique for two reasons: 1. the frame, barrel, and ejector housing were one piece 2. the revolving recoil shield allowed for the ejector and center pin to work together.

With technology advancing with such speed in the 1870's it is no surprise that this system was quickly improved upon and production was cancelled. Consequently examples such as this one are extremely rare. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: circa 1879
Caliber: .32cal
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 2 3/4 inches
Overall Length: 6 1/2 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.