OLD WEST Antique SMITH & WESSON No. 1 3rd Issue .22 “POCKET CARRY” Revolver .22 RF SELF DEFENSE Revolver for the Armed Citizen

Product Description

OLD WEST Antique SMITH & WESSON No. 1 3rd Issue .22 “POCKET CARRY” Revolver

.22 RF SELF DEFENSE Revolver for the Armed Citizen

Here we present an antique Smith & Wesson Number 1, Third Issue Revolver, made circa 1868-81. The No. 1 was Smith & Wesson’s first metallic cartridge firearm. It utilized the idea of the “bored through cylinder”, which was patented by Rollin White and subsequently exclusively licensed by Smith & Wesson. This concept has forever changed revolving firearms design, and is the same idea used in revolvers today. S&W, via Rollin White himself, aggressively sued any patent infringers and were able to hold their monopoly on the American market for cartridge revolvers from about 1857 to 1870, whereupon their patent expired. The results were a very profitable business, a broke Rollin White, and a grudging U.S. Chief of Ordnance Alexander Dyer, who was still angry in 1870 about not being able to use the technology during the Civil War. The U.S. government ended up giving Colt their contracts since they valued the larger .44 caliber in the Colt 1860 Armies over the .32 caliber full sized No. 2 Armies.

The Third Issue was S&W’s final improved version of the revolver. The rounded birds head grips, fluted cylinder and round barrel made this an even sleeker variant of the revolver that started it all. This small revolver is a 7-shot .22 rimfire. There were two barrel lengths offered in lengths of 3.25″ and 2.6875″, with the shorter barrel version very rare. The shorter barrel was introduced in 1872. Serial numbering began with #1 and continued to 131,163. The Model 1, 3rd Issue was last of tip-up style produced by Smith & Wesson. It was specifically designed to be a pocket gun, being very small and light. For those not wanting or needing a full-sized gun or for those who wanted a backup this revolver was the ideal firearm for the turbulent 19^th century.

The overall condition is fair. Some original nickel finish is present. The action does not function. Good bore for its age. Solid grips, both are slightly undersized. Legible markings. The hinge is in good shape, but the barrel has some side to side wiggle.

Own the original! This is a legitimate antique and not a reproduction.

Barrel is 3-1/8 inches.

Caliber: .22 Rimfire (short, black powder)

Overall condition as seen in photos.

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$750
#247827