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Lot 8:Factory Engraved Smith & Wesson No. 2 Lever Action Pistol

May 14th, 2021|Rock Island, IL

Lot 8:Factory Engraved Smith & Wesson No. 2 Lever Action Pistol

May 14th, 2021|Rock Island, IL

Price Realized:

Estimated Price$35,000 - $55,000

Rare Early Production Factory Engraved Smith & Wesson No. 2 Type I Lever Action Repeating Pistol

This Factory engraved, No. 2 Lever Action Repeating Pistol was manufactured by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson in Norwich, Connecticut, c. 1854. This Type I No. 2 pistol has an eight inch part octagon barrel with integral 20-shot magazine, iron frame with distinctive hump behind the hammer, single lever spring screw and lever with distinctive early pattern finger spur. The barrel has a flat muzzle and flat T-bar spring and pinch-top brass front sight blade. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped: "SMITH & WESSON/NORWICH CT./CAST-STEEL PATENT" in three lines. The iron frame has a simple, screw-fastened rear sight and ejection port with square front and rear ends. The top and sides of the frame, side plates, back strap and top of the hammer are decorated with the typical factory scroll engraving utilized on S&W Volcanic pistols. The serial number, "65" is stamped on the bottom left side of the frame beneath the grip. The barrel is browned, the frame has a bright blue finish, and the hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened. The two-piece rosewood grips have a high polish piano finish. The serial number "65" is written in pencil on the inside of both grips. S&W manufactured fewer than 500 of the large frame No. 2 repeating pistols, and surviving examples, particularly the early Type I pistols, are rare and very desirable. Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection

ConditionFine. Smith & Wesson No. 2 pistols are rarely encountered with more than traces of the original finish. The barrel has 85% plus of the original brown finish which has aged slightly to rich plum brown. There is some slight finish loss on the edges of the muzzle and magazine. The barrel and magazine surfaces are smooth and free from scratches and handling marks with sharp edges. The S&W legend on the top barrel flat is crisp. The iron frame has a mottled silver gray patina and retains significant amounts of the original bright original blue finish in protected areas. The surfaces of the frame are smooth and free from scratches and handling marks and the side plate joints are perfect. Nearly 50% of the bright blue finish remains on the rear sight. The simple but well-executed factory scroll engraving on the frame and hammer top is sharp and deep. The hammer, trigger and lever retain 50% of the color casehardened finish. The varnished rosewood grips are very fine and retain 85% of the original piano finish with a few scattered and very minor handling marks. This is a superior example of a rare, early production S&W No. 2 Type I Lever Action Repeating Pistol that would be very difficult to improve upon.

Details

ManufacturerSmith & Wesson

ModelVolcanic

TypePistol

Serial number

ClassAntique

Caliber / Gauge41 Volcanic

Barrel8 inch part octagon

Finishblue/brown

Griprosewood

Item LocationRock Island, IL