Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas. Has the serial numbers, models, years, etc. Good book or you can.

The Smith & Wesson Model ​1¹⁄₂ was Smith & Wesson's second .32 caliber revolver, intended to combine the small size and convenience of the .22 caliberModel 1 with the larger caliber of the 6-shot 'belt sized' Model 2, which was introduced in 1860. Chambered in .32 Rimfire, its cylinder held 5 shots. It was produced in three varieties from 1865 through 1892, with total production exceeding 223,000.

Issues[edit]

The Model ​1¹⁄₂ had three issues. The first two (known as the first and second issues) were 'tip-up' revolvers with the barrel release catch located on the side of the frame in front of the trigger, while the third (known as the 'Model ​1¹⁄₂ Single Action Revolver') was a 'top-break', with the barrel release catch located on the top of the frame, just in front of the hammer.^[1]

1st Issue[edit]

The first issue of the Model ​1¹⁄₂ can be identified by its smooth cylinder (lacking fluting), and the square shape of the grip butt. Sinead oconnor discography rar - download free apps. Models were available in blued or nickel-plated finishes, and the majority were produced with ​3¹⁄₂-inch barrels. A less common 4-inch barrel variety was also sold.^[1]

Serial numbers range from 1 through to approximately 26,300.^[1]

2nd Issue[edit]

The second issue of the Model ​1¹⁄₂ can be identified by its fluted barrel and the rounded 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 ​3¹⁄₂-inch barrel. It is estimated that less than a thousand models were produced with a ​2¹⁄₂-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 ​3¹⁄₂-inch barrels.^[1]

2nd Issue guns were serial numbered consecutively after the 1st Issue, with numbers ranging from approximately 26,300 through 127,000.^[1]

There is also a transitional model 2nd issue that uses the unfluted 1st issue barrels. The serial numbers for these transitional models span approximately 27,200 through 28,800.^[1]

Single Action Revolver[edit]

The third issue of the Model ​1¹⁄₂ is known as the 'Model No. ​1¹⁄₂ Single Action Revolver'. It differs substantially from the first two issues by breaking at the top (just in front of the hammer), consistent with the design of the Safety Hammerless or S&W .38 Single Action. It can be readily distinguished from the first two issues by its lack of ejector rod under the barrel, the large hinge in front of, and just below the barrel, and the extractor that ejects spent cartridges when the barrel is hinged downward. The grip is rounded at the butt, and is similar in appearance to that on the 2nd Issue. This revolver marked the debut of the .32 S&W centerfire cartridge.^[2]

Serial numbers ranged from 1 to approximately 97,500.^[1]

References[edit]

1. ^ ^abcdefgSupica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (3 January 2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. pp. 73–77. ISBN0-89689-293-X.
2. ^Chicoine, David (28 September 2005). Antique Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: The Comprehensive Guide to Pistols, Rifles & Shotguns. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 177–181. ISBN0-87349-767-8.

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.^[1]

History[edit]

Early history[edit]

As Samuel Colt's patent on the revolver was set to expire in 1856, Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson were researching a prototype for a metallic cartridge revolver. When they discovered that a former Colt employee named Rollin White held the patent for a 'Bored-through' cylinder, a component needed for this new invention, the two partners approached White to manufacture a newly designed revolver-and-cartridge combination.^[2]

Rather than make White a partner in their company, Smith and Wesson paid him a royalty of $0.25 on every 'Model 1' revolver that they made. It would become White's responsibility to defend his patent in any court cases which eventually led to his financial ruin, but was very advantageous for the new Smith & Wesson Company.^[2]

Variants[edit]

The Model 1 had three issues or major variants, with each subsequent issue introducing significant technical changes.

1st Issue[edit]

The 1st Issue of the Model 1 was the first major iteration (and the least common), with approximately 12,000 produced over a three-year period. The features that easily distinguish the 1st issue are the flared, square cornered shaped grip (also seen in the 2nd Issue), the small round side plate, the round profile of the frame between the back of the cylinder and the grip, a split articulated hammer, and the flat spring barrel latch seen in some early variants.^[2]

There are six known variations of the Model 1, first identified in an article by John Kountz in the April 1956 issue of 'The Gun Report'. In this article, Kountz noted specific differences in the recoil shield, the barrel latch (the first two variations used a dart style flat spring catch, while later variations used a larger bayonet release), the rifling and other subtle differences.^[3]

Serial numbers were issued sequentially for the Model 1 1st Issues ranging from 1 through approximately 12,000.^[3]

2nd Issue[edit]

The 2nd Issue of the Model 1 looks similar to the 1st Issue, with several notable differences. The side plate on the 2nd Issue is much larger and irregularly shaped. The profile of the frame is flatter (a likely concession for manufacturing efficiency), and the hammer is one piece. Model 1 2nd Issues retain the flared, square cornered shaped grip and the octagonal tip-up style frame, and at first glance the two issues are easy to confuse.^[3]

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. 2nd Issue marked '2D QUAL'TY' are also seen occasionally.

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.^[3]

3rd Issue[edit]

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.^[3]

Popularity[edit]

The Model 1 was in popular demand with the outbreak of the American Civil War as soldiers from all ranks on both sides of the conflict made private purchases of the revolvers for self-defense. So much that orders for the Model 1 revolver outpaced the factory's production capabilities, forcing Smith & Wesson to expand into a new facility and began experimenting with a new cartridge design more suitable than the .22 Short in 1860.^[4]

This popularity led to numerous knockoffs and patent infringements by other armsmakers. Rolin White and S&W brought infringement cases against Manhattan Firearms Company, Ethan Allen, Merwin & Bray, National Arms Company and others. The courts mostly allowed these manufacturers to continue production runs, with a royalty on each revolver paid to White. In some cases, Smith & Wesson bought the revolvers back to remark and sell; these are marked 'APRIL 3 1855' as a patent date.^[5]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^Chicoine, David (2005). Antique Firearms Assembly/Disassembly: The Comprehensive Guide to Pistols, Rifles & Shotguns. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 171–172. ISBN0-87349-767-8.
2. ^ ^abcBoorman, Dean K. (2002). The History of Smith & Wesson Firearms. Globe Pequot Press. pp. 18–22. ISBN978-1-58574-721-4.
3. ^ ^abcdeSupica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. pp. 30–37. ISBN0-89689-293-X.
4. ^Kinard, Jeff (2004). Pistols: An Illustrated History of Their Impact. ABC-CLIO. pp. 114–117. ISBN978-1-85109-470-7.
5. ^Walter, John (2007). Rifles of the World (3 ed.). Krause Publications. pp. 108–109. ISBN978-0-89689-241-5.

External links[edit]

• Look at Smith & Wesson Mod. NO. 1 (3rd Issue) Video