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  • Auction Catalog #87
  • Lot #23
Lot #22
Lot #24

Lot 23: Cased Smith & Wesson No.1 Lever Action Repeating Pistol

Rare Smith & Wesson No.1 Lever Action Repeating Pistol with Case

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 9, 2022

Lot 23: Cased Smith & Wesson No.1 Lever Action Repeating Pistol

Rare Smith & Wesson No.1 Lever Action Repeating Pistol with Case

Auction Location: Rock Island, IL

Auction Date: December 9, 2022

Estimated Price: $8,500 - $13,000
Price Realized:
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Rare Smith & Wesson No.1 Lever Action Repeating Pistol with Case

Manufacturer: Volcanic
Model: Pocket
Type: Pistol
Gauge: 31
Barrel: 4 inch part octagon
Finish: blue/brown
Grip: varnished rosewood
Stock:
Item Views: 3730
Item Interest: Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 35
Class: Antique
Description:

This Smith & Wesson No.1 Lever Action Repeating Type II pistol features a four-inch, .31 caliber, part-round barrel with integral six-shot magazine, round muzzle, round T-bar spring, nickel-silver pinch top front sight and flat clam-shell follower. The receiver has a distinctive loading lever with finger hole and no spur, fixed rear sight, internal retaining spring and square ejection port. The hammer has deeply cut hand-knurling on the spur. The pistol has two-piece, bag-shaped rosewood grips. "SMITH & WESSON/NORWICH CT." is roll stamped on the top barrel flat, "PATENT/FEB. 14. 1854" on the left flat and "CAST-STEEL" on the right flat. The serial number "D63" is stamped on the left side of the frame beneath the grip and on the bottom of the carrier ahead of the lever. Both grips are stamped "63" on the inside. The sides and top of the receiver and back strap are decorated with the standard open scroll and leaf engraving used on No.1 pistols. The pistol originally had a browned barrel with blued frame and casehardened hammer and lever. The grips have a high gloss varnish finish. The walnut case has a silver inscription plate on the lid and three interior compartments lined with blue velvet. Smith & Wesson manufactured an estimated 700 No. 1 Lever Action Pistols c. 1854-55 in the A-F series serial number range. Factory cased examples of No. 1 pistols are very rare.

Rating Definition:

Very good. This rare pistol is all original. The brown finish on the barrel has faded to mottled, silver-gray patina. The barrel edges are sharp, metal surfaces are smooth and the factory markings on the flats are crisp. The receiver has a silver patina with scattered age spots. The factory scroll engraving is sharp. The hammer has 40% of the original case colors. The lever has a silver patina with scattered age spotting. The bag-shaped, rosewood grips remain in fine condition and have 75% plus of the original varnish. Mechanically fine. The relined case is good overall with several hairline cracks in the lid. The blue velvet lining shows minimal fading. The interior is missing the cartridge container lid and the tool partition. The bottom of the case is oil stained from contact with the pistol and there are several tears in the lining on the case sides from contact with the pistol hammer and front sight. This is a very good example of a rare and historically significant Smith & Wesson No. 1 lever action repeating pistol with factory case.



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