Lot 60

Smith & Wesson No. 1 Second Issue Revolver with Carved Grips

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Smith & Wesson No. 1 Second Issue Revolver with Carved Grips

Estimate: $2,750 - $4,750

Starting Bid: $2,250

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Desirable Smith & Wesson No. 1 Second Issue Spur Trigger Revolver with Highly Attractive Relief Carved Eagle "Liberty" Grips and Purse Style Case These Smith & Wesson No. 1 revolvers represent a significant step in American firearms technology as the first American-made cartridge revolvers as well as a commercial success, laying a foundation for one of the country's legendary firearms brands which remains in operation to this day. Between 1855 and 1869 Smith & Wesson dominated the market for cartridge revolvers due to their exclusive rights to Rollin White's patent on bored through cylinders, leading to the wide popularity of this model and others produced by the company during the period. The relative security of White's patent protection allowed Smith & Wesson a head start in the cartridge revolver market, helping them to forge a lasting legacy through a long line of high quality and technologically advanced revolvers, firmly cementing them as one of this country’s premier firearms producers. These No. 1 revolvers in particular found widespread popularity as small sidearms that could easily be hidden and carried in a pocket or purse, making them a desirable option for many of the throngs of people heading westward to settle the American frontier as well as plenty of the hundreds of thousands of men serving on both sides of the Civil War. During that conflict, which threatened to tear this country apart at the seams, these advanced pocket revolvers became a fairly common parting gift or presentation piece for the fighting men of this country, with this particular example potentially used for that purpose given the patriotic theme of the grips. These compact revolvers also found a niche in the bustling cities and industrial centers of the country's northeast, where street crime had become all too common and a small, easily accessible, seven-shot revolver could provide an increased sense of security for any lady or gentleman who might have felt they could be a target for a mugging or robbery. This model was manufactured c. 1860 to 1868, and it is very likely that this particular revolver was produced during the Civil War years when patriotic fervor was at its height. A revolver such as this one would have been a fantastic gift from friends or family to a soldier with hopes of inspiring their patriotic zeal before they headed off to war. Alternatively, given the grey suede coin-purse style case included with this piece, it may have been a gift from a soldier to his lady, knowing he was going away for a time and would be unable to protect her on the streets. The barrel has the standard one-line Smith & Wesson address on top of the rib, while the three patent dates are on the cylinder. The serial number is on the butt. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight and a notch rear sight in the cylinder stop, as well as a highly attractive pair of ivory grips, with the left panel being relief carved with a highly detailed American eagle carrying an olive branch while standing on the shield of the Great Seal of the United States and a scroll of parchment which reads "LIBERTY".

Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson

Model: 1

BBL: 3 3/16 inch solid rib

Gauge: 22 RF

Finish: blue/silver

Grips: ivory

Serial Number70771

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Fine with 90% plus of the attractively aged original silver plating remaining, the balance mostly a smooth grey patina, and some light pitting, typical of a revolver that spent time concealed in a pocket. The grips are also fine with some light chips in the lower edges, a few age-related cracks, attractively aged tone, and crisp relief carving. The cylinder stop spring is weak; otherwise the revolver mechanically functions. The purse case is very fine with some mild wear. A highly attractively example of the first American manufactured cartridge revolver which was produced during the Civil War era!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000