S&W Model 1

[marlinman93]

A friend recently passed away and left me this neat little pocket pistol. A S&W Model 1 3rd variation in .22 Short. 7 shot cylinder. Nickel plated with mother of pearl grips, and fully engraved in New York style. It was her great grandfather's pistol, and appears it's been fired very little as the bore and cylinders look like new, as does the rest of the gun!

[Walt]

What a collector's piece, Vall....very nice!

[LeverGunner]

WOW! That's amazing. I've never seen one in such condition.

My condolences for the loss of your friend.

[Ray]

What a treasure ! Both in rarity & condition & the sentimental facts of how you received it.

I wander if that is the model that clemons wrote of....."I was armed to the teeth with a pitiful little Smith & Wesson’s seven-shooter, which carried a ball like a homeopathic pill, and it took the whole seven to make a dose for an adult. But I thought it was grand. It appeared to me to be a dangerous weapon."

It was said that almost the whole of the first manufacturing run of them were purchased by union soldiers for the purpose of, if wounded peripherally, to prevent eager battlefield surgeons from sawing on their limbs.

[JimT]

Thanks for posting that Ray. That was my first thought when I saw the title of this post!

[Griff]

Gorgeous Vall. Condolences on the loss of a friend, but a wonderful reminder of their generosity and spirit.

[Rube Burrows]

Thats very nice. Sorry about your friend though.

[1894cfan]

IF you do decide to shoot it, stick with CB shorts! Less stress on it then, plus easier to clean. HTH

Add on...with todays modern ammo just run dry or lightly oiled patches through it to protect the plating. YMMV

[Oldncrusty]

Gorgeous! Congrats on the piece and having a friend that generous.

[marlinman93]

What a treasure ! Both in rarity & condition & the sentimental facts of how you received it.

I wander if that is the model that clemons wrote of....."I was armed to the teeth with a pitiful little Smith & Wesson’s seven-shooter, which carried a ball like a homeopathic pill, and it took the whole seven to make a dose for an adult. But I thought it was grand. It appeared to me to be a dangerous weapon."

It was said that almost the whole of the first manufacturing run of them were purchased by union soldiers for the purpose of, if wounded peripherally, to prevent eager battlefield surgeons from sawing on their limbs.

Yes Ray, that in one of it's variations is the exact pistol that Mark Twain was referring to. There were a few folks who spoke of the S&W Model One as a pretty poor firearm for self defense, and likely it was barely better than tossing rocks.
The two earlier versions had squared off grips, and the 3rd variation had these bird's head grips that were designed specifically to enhance the looks of this model. Supposedly the 3rd variation was the best seller for the improved aesthetics that S&W did to this final version.
I may order a S&W letter for it, but not sure until I see what they cost today. Used to be $35 when Roy Jinks did them.

[Old No7]

Very nice! It's rare to see such a beauty!

Just be careful with any solvents if you ever shoot it, as I believe those with any ammonia have a tendency to "lift" off the plating.

Old No7

[4t5]

No copper solvents.

[AJMD429]

.
Now THAT is really nice. Especially in that condition. Good it stayed with someone who will appreciate it...!

[Ysabel Kid]

Wow! That is a nice one for sure. Museum quality!

[marlinman93]

Thanks!
Both my late friend Wind, and his sister neither had children, so no heirs to pass any of their valuables on to. I wish they had so these things went to a family member, rather than to me. But I will document all I know about them so my heirs can keep and appreciate them too.

[44shooter]

What an amazing inheritance!

[marlinman93]

Got a Delta 11-990 drill press too, but not as exciting as the S&W. Just got home from buying a drill press stand and assembling it in my shop. That sucker is so heavy I had to remove the head unit and bolt base and column on the stand first, then reinstall the head back on the column!
It's replacing my small bench top drill press that I gave to my older brother yesterday.

[Walt]

You certainly had a special relationship with Wind and his sister.. What wonderful memories!

[marlinman93]

You certainly had a special relationship with Wind and his sister.. What wonderful memories!

Thanks Walt!
Wind gave me my first exposure to long range shooting, and it was so addictive that with his help I dove in with both feet! I still shoot short range at our gun club, but it almost seems boring compared to long range shooting.

I ran out yesterday and purchased a metal frame tool stand so I could mount the Delta drill press and be able to use it without being stationary on a bench. If I'm drilling longer metal or wood with my old Craftsman drill press it's been an issue occasionally when I needed room for a piece of long stock, and my drill press area didn't allow it. Now I can pull the press and stand away from the wall or move it if I need more room. With the micrometer depth adjustment this is going to make drilling scope holes in barrels a snap!