4347 RARE & FINE JAPANESE EXPORTED CASED & ENGRAVED &

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
IVORY SMITH & WESSON NO. 1 REVOLVER. Cal. 22, S# 126373. Standard configuration, 3.2" barrel, one line address, patent marked cylinder. This revolver is factory engraved, blue and silver finish mounted with smooth ivory grips and housed in "SMITH & WESSON" illustrated gutta percha casing. This revolver is featured in November 2006 Gun Report article by Mike Bricker. This is among the last S&W No. 1's made. According to Roy Jinks, this little gem was factory engraved probably in the Gustav Young shop. The patent dates on the cylinder are boxed by engraving not engraved over which is normally seen. One row of kanji markings are found on the lower left side about diagonal barrel which translate "Government Weapon Storage Office, Year of the Monkey 2889". An unknown quantity of these revolvers were exported to Japan 1868-1870 and that strict government registration laws are the reason for different markings depending on the particular prefecture. This is a particular rare and fine survivor that is well known and published. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: file of research & copy of November 2006 Gun Report article “Some Early Smith and Wesson Export Revolvers”. CONDITION: fine overall, complete & matching serial numbers and assembly markings including original ivory grips. Revolver retains much of its original blue and silver finish, markings all crisp and discernible. Grips have ivory age patina, small hairlines, chip in the butt. Mechanically fine, bright crisp rifled bore. Casing is very good with typical staining and soiling internally, one small chip. PROVENANCE: from the Lifelong Collection of Robert “Mike” Bricker. (01-25065/JS). ANTIQUE. $3,000-4,000.