Researching and old firearm

Apr 2011
56
0
Tacoma, WA
Ok, here;s the deal :

I have an old piece that was stamped by S&W circa 1864. It was handed down to me through family. I put rounds trough it in th past, but sitting in storage, has since locked up. The specs are : S&W .22 caliber short rifle handgun. It has an short octagon barrel (3 in) and an unfamiliar trigger/safety. The bulk of the armament is styled in steel, with some cover parts cast in either bronze or brass (not sure) and finished in nickle (which is worn).
The cylinder is clean, but locked to the catch. I am wondering what this piece might be worth to a collector. It has my great uncles name inscibed on the end of the buttstock, so I know that would devalue it somewhat. Any replies will be taken seriously.
 
Jan 2009
1,684
0
s. greenlake *****
Is it a 7 shot? Is it a "spur" trigger? Does it look something like this?

English: Model 1 Second issue .22 rimfire revolver c post 1857

THis is smith and wesson's FIRST gun they ever made. It was called the Model 1, and was in production from 1850 somthing.. to 1880 something. So that puts your pistol at about roughly 130-150yrs old.. lol

unless its a reproduction.
Smith_and_Wesson_Model_1.jpg



http://casguns.homestead.com/SW_1.html


How long has it been in the family? Are you pretty sure it's been with you guys for 50+ years? If that's the case it could be original. I'd definitely have it appraised. It could be worth quite a bit? The engraving and having it IN your fam could help authenticate it.. I'd probably not shoot it OR polish it up or anything until you get it looked at?


CHeck out this link, looks like there were a bunch of variations (engraving/nickel/brass etc)

Smith & Wesson Model One, Model Two Old Army, tip-up information



THen again it might only be worth a couple hundred, so maybe it's cooler to keep it and put it on a shelf.. use it as a paper weight with a cool story?


$40

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=214785173

$200
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=214785173

$225
http://www.auctionarms.com/closed/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8856890.0

$350
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=218660969

$450
http://www.gunsamerica.com/96257032.../SMITH_WESSON_MODEL_1_2ND_ISSUE_22_SHORT.htm#

$500
http://www.battermans.com/smith-and-wesson-model-1-1-2-first-issue-revolver.html

$600
http://www.liveauctionworld.com/Smi...enterfire-Revolver-with-Original-Box_i9964509

$750
http://www.gunsinternational.com/Sm...Issue-22-Short-SN-130692.cfm?gun_id=100097393

$850-1300
http://rockislandauction.com/viewitem/aid/51/lid/172
 
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Apr 2011
56
0
Tacoma, WA
It looks just like that in the pic you posted. Albeit, not as good condidtion. It does have engraving on it. I'm inclined to think it has been in the familiy that long. My relatives homesteaded over 2000 acres in the NE section of Colorado (about 60 miles east of the Utah border, by the Yampa river) sometime around 1830. I will have to pull it out of the safe and look at the cyclinder. From recall, the outside of the barrel has some pitting, and overall a brown tint to the metal. Will see if my moms can dig up some history on it, since she grew up there and is the family historian. You know how it was on the range back then ; firearms were seen as tools, and used as such to put food on the table andfor protection. Doubt anyone in my family would purchase a reproduction.
 
Apr 2011
56
0
Tacoma, WA
I'm very careful not to restore this piece myself. I'm sure I could do a good enough job at it, but I iknow that I am not the perfect fit for this type of restoration. If there is anyone out there that can assist me...at least look at the ,material and assess it..contact me.
 
Apr 2011
225
0
Corvallis, OR
i dont know if i would restore it if the restoration may cost as much as the weapon itself, but then again if you just intend to keep it then that would be cool...
 
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