The Smith & Wesson No. 1 First Issue revolvers were the first Smith & Wesson revolvers. This revolver is the "Sixth Type" manufactured in the latter part of the 1857-1860 production run of the First Issue revolvers and has a German silver blade front sight, "SMITH & WESSON. SPRINGFIELD. MASS." on top of the barrel, Rollin White patent on the cylinder, notch rear sight, matching serial numbers on the butt and inside of the grips, and assembly markings "7" and "5" perpendicular to one another marked on various components. The gutta percha case features the likeness of a No. 1 First Issue, patriotic and scroll motifs in the corners, small revolvers as the upper and lower borders, and "MANUFACTURED ONLY BY/SMITH & WESSON/SPRINGFIELD MASSACHUSETTS" on the lid; small revolvers as the border on the bottom, embossed scroll patterns inside the lid, and a cartridge block (empty). Per the NRA Museums: "the firm later offered an optional gutta percha case for an additional charge of $1.25. Approximately 5,000 of these cases, which were produced by Littlefield, Parsons & Co., included a bas relief design featuring the revolver and the Smith & Wesson name on the lid. These cases are rarely encountered today." Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Very fine with 95% plus original silver plating exhibiting smooth aged patina throughout, 40% original blue fading to plum tones and spots of gray patina, minor scratches mainly on the left side of the barrel at the breech, and light overall wear. The cylinder occasionally doesn't rotate when the hammer is cocked, but the revolver is otherwise mechanically fine. The grips are also very fine and have glossy finish, a few dings, and minor edge wear. The case is fine and has mild age and storage related wear and a small crack just behind the revolver on the lid.