Lot 1158

Nimschke Engraved Smith & Wesson No. 2 Revolver with Pearl Grips

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Nimschke Engraved Smith & Wesson No. 2 Revolver with Pearl Grips

Estimate: $14,000 - $22,500

Starting Bid: $12,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Historic and Highly Attractive L.D. Nimschke New York Engraved Silver Plated Smith & Wesson No. 2 Spur Trigger Revolver with Pearl Grips, Civil War Union Officer, Springfield, Illinois, Inscribed Rosewood Presentation Case, and Factory Letter Manufactured c. early 1864, this is a highly attractive and desirable example of a Louis D. Nimschke New York master engraved Smith & Wesson No. 2 revolver. These revolvers with their rimfire cartridges were very advanced during the years of the Civil War and were purchased in large numbers as both presentation gifts for officers and soldiers as well as privately purchased by the military men themselves. This beautifully embellished example was presented to a Union officer from Illinois named George S. Roper (1832-1897), with the highly attractive case inscribed to him. Born in Massachusetts, Roper moved his family to Illinois in 1854, being involved in the lumber business as well as the Republican Party, becoming acquainted with Abraham Lincoln who later was elected president. When the Civil War broke out, Roper initially joined the commissary department and accompanied Ulysses S. Grant and his 21st Illinois Infantry Regiment to Springfield, becoming friends with Grant, who later commanded Union forces and was elected president. Roper went on to serve in various quartermaster roles as well as on the staff of General George H. Thomas, rising to the rank of major and being brevetted as a colonel when mustered out of the army in 1866. In 1867, he moved his family to Alton, Illinois, where he was involved in various successful businesses. Period newspapers also note that he was a very talented singer. The included factory letter lists this revolver as shipped with a 6 inch barrel and rosewood grips in a 50 gun shipment of mixed finishes to J.W. Storrs Co. of New York on 6 April 1864. It was undoubtedly the Storrs Co. who contracted Nimschke to turn this particular revolver into a work of art. One of the most prolific engravers of his time, L.D. Nimschke carried out engraving work for essentially all the major American firearms manufacturers of the period and is widely regarded as not only one of the finest engravers of his era but of all time. This particular example is unsigned but shows Nimschke's signature scrollwork as well as distinct crossed-ribbon patterns on the butt, which is very similar to patterns found on the incredible Nimschke engraved Remington revolvers presented to Ulysses S. Grant which we sold in our May 2022 Premier Firearms Auction, a very intriguing connection between Grant and Roper. The engraving on this revolver is approximately three-quarter coverage, with the frame and barrel lug featuring primarily masterfully executed floral scrollwork on beaded backgrounds, the sides of the barrel at the muzzle and the top of the rib having geometric knot motifs. Otherwise the revolver has the standard one-line address on top of the rib, the matching serial number on the butt and hand-marked inside the right grip panel, and matching assembly number on the left of the grip frame, front face of the cylinder, and rear face of the barrel lug. Includes a highly attractive hardwood case with a brass escutcheon in the lid inscribed "Geo. S. Roper/Springfield/Ills.", with the interior fitted for the revolver and lined with red velvet, a cartridge block with some cartridges, a cleaning rod, and a cased compass with the case bearing the same inscription as the lid of the case.

Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson

Model: 2

BBL: 6 inch solid rib

Gauge: 32 Rimfire

Finish: silver

Grips: pearl

Serial Number23432

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Exceptionally fine as master embellished by the legendary Louis D. Nimschke, retaining traces of the original silver plating in sheltered areas with the balance a smooth grey patina and very crisp engraving. The grips are excellent with only the slightest handling marks. Mechanically excellent. The case is also exceptionally fine with some very light handling/storage evidence. A historic example of the artistry of L.D. Nimschke!

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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