Lot 52

Pair of Diamond Encrusted Gold Smith & Wesson No. 1 Revolvers

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Pair of Diamond Encrusted Gold Smith & Wesson No. 1 Revolvers

Estimate: $400,000 - $700,000

Starting Bid: $350,000

(0 Bids)

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

Extremely Rare and Extravagant Pair of Diamond Encrusted, Engraved, and Etched Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 Second Issue Revolvers with Solid Gold Frames and Grips -A) Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 Second Issue Revolver Extremely Rare and Extravagant Pair of Diamond Encrusted, Engraved, and Etched Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 Second Issue Revolvers with Solid Gold Frames and Grips -A) Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 Second Issue Revolver This extraordinary pair of Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 revolvers are like no other we have seen before and are the most spectacularly decorated 19th century American firearms known with their diamond encrusted solid gold frames and grips and extensive engraving and etching, and they are completely fresh to market. The left side of the frame, back strap, and left grip panel of each revolver feature a dazzling array of dozens of diamonds set into the scroll engraving. The butt of each revolver alone features three larger diamonds and four smaller diamonds. The right side of each frame and right grip panel feature fine interlacing scroll engraving with finely textured backgrounds. The right grips feature open panels formed by the engraving leaving a space to add a presentation inscription. The cylinders and barrels feature etched foliate scroll pattern. The barrels also feature rounded blade front sights and "SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MAS" on the ribs. The cylinders are marked with "PATENTED APRIL 3. 1855. JULY 5. 1859. & DEC 18. 1863." The first revolver has a two-dot punch and "1" assembly number on the barrel lug and face of the cylinder, and the second revolver has a four-dot punch and "86". Examination of the revolvers indicates the diamonds are all real and originated from South America and the Golconda region of India. Each revolver has approximately 25 carats of diamonds with the largest being around .7 carat. They are of mixed grades from F to KL for color and of various clarities. The larger diamonds are old mine cuts, and the smaller diamonds are rose cuts. This variance is appropriate for diamonds of the age of these revolvers. The golden age of decorated American arms ran from the 1850s to 1890s. The Smith & Wesson No. 1 debuted early in this era in 1857 and remained in production through 1882. The Second Issue variant was produced in 1860 to 1868. Though occasionally ornamented with ivory or pearl grips or engraving, no other revolvers remotely approach the splendor of this pair. Many of the most extravagant swords, handguns, and rifles manufactured in America in the 1860s were produced as presentation pieces for national and local heroes fighting in the Civil War. A limited number of American firearms in this period were also made as deluxe presentation pieces for foreign dignitaries such as the kings of Sweden and Denmark and Czar Alexander II of Russia while others were made as fundraising items for the Sanitary Fairs held throughout the North to raise funds to support sick and wounded Union soldiers and their families. After the Civil War ended, the fairs and other more local exhibitions served as a foundation for the first official World's Fair hosted in the United States: the Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. Between the war and the Centennial, American manufacturers also featured elaborate exhibition arms at events such as the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association's exhibitions and in World's Fairs abroad. Smith & Wesson won a gold medal at the 10th Massachusetts exhibition in 1865 and is known to have participated in the 1867 Exposition Universelle in Paris as well as the World's Fairs in Moscow in 1872 and Vienna in 1873. Following the Centennial Exposition, they continued to use the fairs to actively market their firearms both at home and abroad, displaying in Melbourne in 1880, Paris in 1889, Chicago in 1883, Philadelphia in 1899, Paris in 1900, and Buffalo in 1901. Smith & Wesson's most famous exhibition pieces were made in partnership with Tiffany & Co. of New York and displayed at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago 1893. Tiffany & Co. designed and produced a number of incredible Smith & Wesson revolvers with etching, engraving, silver and gold mounts, and other fine details in the 1880s to early 1900s. Rock Island Auction Co. had the honor and pleasure of cataloging several of these revolvers from the Gerald Klaz Collection in 2020, and many of the others are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Not all of these elaborate arms were meant only for displays, the company also produced some for purchase by the era's elites, including George Jay Gould. Though unmarked, these extraordinary revolvers may have also been made in partnership with Tiffany & Co. They feature etching on the barrels and cylinders similar to the other known Tiffany Smith & Wessons. Tiffany & Co. was well-known within the United States in the 1860s, including for their fine presentation swords made for Union officers during the Civil War. Edward C. Moore was responsible for many of their best designs. The firm received major international recognition at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1867 where they were awarded a bronze medal for their silverware, a first for an American design house, and they were also the first American company to use the British silver standard (92.5% pure). After the Civil War, they quickly became one of the country's leading purveyors of finery, particularly silver, jewelry, and watches. Diamonds were considerably rarer in the 19th century than they are today, but they became more widely available in 1867 thanks to the discovery of diamond fields in the Cape Colony of South Africa which sparked the "Mineral Revolution" in the region. Within a few years, the region was the source of 95% of the world's supply of diamonds. However, India was the primary source of diamonds for centuries until 1726, and then Brazil was the major source for diamonds until 1867. Both Indian and Brazilian diamonds are rarely seen today. In addition to Tiffany & Co. in New York, the Ames Manufacturing Co. in Chicopee, Massachusetts, had extensive experience working with gold, casting, etching, engraving, and gem stones while producing many of the country's finest presentation swords dating back decades to their founding in 1774, such as the sword in Lot 94 with a solid gold hilt that was made to honor Brevet Lieutenant Colonel George Armistead, "The Hero of Fort McHenry." In addition to edged weapons, Ames had also produced firearms such as the U.S. Navy Model 1842 pistols and Jenks breechloading carbines, the bronze doors of the East Wing of the U.S. Capitol, statues, tableware, and artillery. Their foundry was notably located just a few miles up river from Smith & Wesson, and the two companies had plenty of connections. During the Civil War, the firm was led by James Tyler Ames (1810-1883), and among the items they produced was a presentation sword given to Ulysses S. Grant by the citizens of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, during the war that is now in the Smithsonian and features 14 diamonds. Diamonds were also set as the eyes on the eagle of the Ames sword presented to Confederate General Paul J. Semmes who was mortally wounded at Gettysburg. Other sword makers such as Ball, Black & Co. of New York, makers of the diamond and amethyst inlaid sword presented to General George H. Thomas, also had the talents necessary to produce such a remarkable pair. On October 12, 1860, for example, The Cincinnati Enquirer in an article on the immense profits of the nation's jewelers, including Tiffany, noted that Ball, Black & Co. had diamond set worth $25,000 amongst their finery. Whether they, Tiffany, Ames, or another immensely talented maker was involved, the revolvers truly stand apart from anything else created in America in the era.

Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson

Model: 1

BBL: 3 3/16 inch solid rib

Gauge: 22 RF

Finish: blue/gold/diamond

Grips: gold

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

B) Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 Second Issue Revolver As described in "A".

Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson

Model: 1

BBL: 3 3/16 inch solid rib

Gauge: 22 RF

Finish: blue/gold/diamond

Grips: gold

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Condition: A) Exceptionally fine overall with bright gold and glistening diamonds, crisp engraving and markings, bright nitre blue on the extractor rod and small parts, 80% original case colors on the hammer, traces of original blue on the barrel and cylinder, mostly silver-gray patina on the balance, minor oxidation and pitting, distinct etching, and light age and storage related wear. The cylinder occasionally fails to rotate; but the revolver otherwise mechanically functions. B) Exceptionally fine with bright gold and glistening diamonds, crisp engraving and markings, bright nitre blue on the extractor rod and small parts, 80% original case colors on the hammer, traces of original blue on the barrel and cylinder, mostly silver-gray patina on the balance, minor oxidation and pitting, distinct etching, and light age and storage related wear. Mechanically functions. These revolvers are absolutely splendid, blending the lines between firearms, art, and jewelry and will add flare, glamor, and exceptional rarity to even the most advanced collection.

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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