3027 WONDERFUL S&W No. 2 REVOLVER; CASED AND NIMSCHKE

CURRENT BID
0.00USD
ENTER YOUR MAXIMUM ABSENTEE BID[?]
You must bid at least
4,000.00USD
USD
4,000.00 x 1 unit = 4,000.00USDApplicable fees & taxes are added at checkout.
[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2025 May 10 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 4,000.00 USD
Estimated at 8,000.00 - 12,000.00 USD
ENGRAVED. Cal. 32 RF Long. S# 36365. Bbl. 6" octagon with integral rib having brass blade half moon sight; notch in top mounted cylinder stop serves as the rear sight. Mfg. 1861-1874 (77,155 units) with unfluted 6 rd. cylinder having patent dates around its circumference at the midpoint. Referred to as No. 2 Old Army, yet none were for military contract. History notes one owned by President Hayes, Wild Bill Hickock (on his person when he died) and 2 by Gen. George Custer; very popular during the Civil War. Matching numbered Rosewood grips plus "GG8" on cylinder, barrel and lower left side of back strap under grips. Later production model as evidenced by 3 pins in top strap. Although engraving is not signed (Nimschke only signed 15% of handguns that he engraved), it is certainly of the Nimschke "New York" style having foliate scrollwork with rounded terminals. Louis D. Nimschke (1832-1904) trained in Germany under masters Ernst Moritz and Gustav Ernst before coming to America in 1853 where he began his prolific career in New York City. It is referenced that he engraved about 5,000 firearms and other pieces from 1850 to 1900 (about 2 per week!). His work is even recognized by the Smithsonian Institute. He created many "pulls" from his engravings as well as from other engravers which are compiled in a work book given to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on its 150th Anniversary (2018) by the Robert M. Lee Foundation. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: good presentation case of nicely grained wood that appears to be Rosewood; light weather checks following the grain plus very light scratches throughout. Interior is compartmentalized with a roughly relieved semi-circle between 2 compartments (purpose unknown). Lining is a faded maroon velvet with padding in the lid. Simple brass hinges and 2 post lock (no key). Top of lid has shaped German silver inlaid plaque for engraving. An empty 2-piece cartridge box by Smith, Hall & Farmer fills one compartment having spectacular conditioned label that lists "Fifty No. 2 or 32-100". CONDITION: by antique standards, this would be near the top of condition; further description will show how fine it is by any standard. Bluing is very good to excellent with an occasional small scratch such as on the bottom of the barrel. The back strap and bottom of the front strap have faded, thinning finish. Wonderful grips with indexed screw and very minimal handling marks. Very vivid, bright case colors. No damage to screw slots. Very slight cylinder turn line. Timing is as fine as from the time period it was made. Bore is bright and shiny with distinct rifling having no signs of wear, but with some scattered light pitting. Face of cylinder and areas around firing pin slot plus breech end of barrel have evidence of firing. Overall, a wonderful engraved No. 2. (01-26859/NW). ANTIQUE. $8,000-12,000.