Original Item: Only One Available. This is an American classic, first introduced in 1865 and produced continuously until 1892. The Smith & Wesson Model 1 ½ was Smith & Wesson's second .32 caliber revolver, intended to combine the small size and convenience of the .22 caliber Model 1 with the larger caliber of the 6-shot "belt sized" Model 2, which was introduced in 1860. Chambered in .32 cal, its cylinder held 5 shots. It was produced in three varieties, termed "issues" by S&W, with total production exceeding 223,000.

The First Issue Model 1 ½ had an non-fluted cylinder and a flat bottomed "square" grip, and was chambered for .32 rimfire ammunition, and approximately 26,000 were produced.

The second issue of the Model 1 ½ can be identified by its fluted barrel & cylinder, as well as the rounded "birds head" 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 3 ½-inch barrel. It is estimated that less than a thousand models were produced with a 2 ½-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 3 ½-inch barrels.

This is a very good example of the Model 1 ½, 2nd Issue Revolver with a 3 ½" barrel, desirable factory nickel plated finish with varnished rosewood grips. Produced by Smith and Wesson from 1868-1875, this was the firm's final improvement of the .32 rimfire tip-up with the more stylish stream-lined barrel, fluted cylinder, and birds head grips. The original Smith & Wesson address and patent dates are still easily readable on the top strap:

✠ SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. PAT. APR.3.55. JULY.5.59 & NOV.21.65 ✠

2nd Issue guns were serial numbered consecutively after the 1st Issue, with numbers ranging from approximately 26,300 through 127,000. Serial number on this example is 112523 placing it in later-production around 1873-1874. This number is found on the bottom of the grip, as well as on the inside of the right grip scale. There is also assembly number Q Q 2 on the grip frame, rear of the barrel, and rear cylinder. That makes this a very desirable "ALL MATCHING" example, with no major parts swapped out over the years!

Overall condition is really very good, with a lovely lightly worn patina that shows it was well cared for over the years. Overall the nickel plating is well retained on most components, with the right side of the frame showing a good amount of plating loss, showing a very nice lightly stained patina. The cylinder has wear to the plating on the edges of the flutes, with the front having lost most of it. Most of the Model 1 ½'s we have had were blued, so having a plated example with this much original finish is a real treat.

The hammer and trigger show a nice gray patina, with some of the original case hardening visible, especially on the hammer. The rosewood grips are lovely, retaining much of the original "piano varnish" finish. Very good screws and pins throughout, and the barrel is nice and tight to the frame. Action functions flawlessly, with none of the finicky behavior we sometimes see on revolvers of this age. The bore is very good, with a mostly bright finish, clear lands and grooves, and just some spots of light oxidation and fouling, now cleaned away. Definitely a great bore for a black powder era revolver!

A lovely nickel plated example of a classic American rimfire revolver! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: circa 1873-4
Caliber: .32cal
Ammunition Type: Rimfire Cartridge
Barrel Length: 3 ½ inches
Overall Length: 7 ½ inches
Action: Single
Feed System: 5 Shot Revolver

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