Welcome to immediately’s Photo of the Day! This little .32 caliber revolver packs extra historic punch than its measurement suggests – it’s one among two particular exhibition items bought by Horace Smith himself in 1866, making it basically the founder’s private gun. What makes this S&W Mannequin 1½ particular is the distinctive mixture of manufacturing unit engraving and 4-inch barrel (normal was 3½”). It’s the one identified instance with this configuration. The revolver is silver-plated with a gold-plated cylinder, adorned with manufacturing unit engraving by F.W. Martin, S&W’s first full-time engraver. Essentially the most charming element is the whimsical scene on the cylinder displaying a fox wearing looking garments holding a pistol on a surrendering rabbit – quirky humor you not often see on nineteenth century firearms. The provenance is rock-solid, tracked by Charles Corridor’s handwritten assortment ledger. Corridor famous receiving the gun from his brother Edward, writing: “Mr. Horace Smith of Smith and Wesson was an excellent buddy of ours. Papa and Mama used to go to them and so they, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, got here as much as see us and keep few days. They had been very good folks.” In keeping with S&W historian Roy Jinks, manufacturing unit data present Horace Smith bought two engraved pearl-grip Mannequin 1½ revolvers on June 16, 1866 – one for $30 and one other “barely extra elaborate” for $40. The primary gun (serial #15653) stays within the S&W manufacturing unit assortment, whereas this one (#15655) discovered its means by varied non-public collections. This revolver earned the NRA’s prestigious “10 Finest” Silver Medal in 2010, recognizing its distinctive historic significance as one of many private firearms of the person who helped create one among America’s most profitable gun corporations.
“Horace Smith’s Engraved Smith & Wesson Mannequin 1 ½ Revolver.” Rock Island Public sale Firm, https://www.rockislandauction.com/element/4094/1170/horace-smiths-engraved-smith-wesson-model-1-revolver. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Author | TheFirearmBlog
Author | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Previous soul, licensed gunsmith, revealed creator, avid firearm historical past learner, and appreciator of previous and distinctive weapons.
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