Smith & Wesson manufactured approximately 500 large frame Volcanic pistols from 1854-1855. Surviving examples are scarce and very desirable in any condition. This factory engraved, early production Smith & Wesson Large Frame No.2 lever action pistol was manufactured by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson in Norwich, Connecticut, c. 1854. This large frame pistol has the distinctive Type I features which include: an uncrowned muzzle, flat T-bar spring, frame with hump behind the lever, loading lever with finger spur and single screw cartridge carrier spring. The eight-inch, .41 caliber, part-round/part-octagon barrel has an integral 10-shot magazine, a "pinched" blade front sight blade, and round magazine follower. The top barrel flat is roll-stamped with the four-line legend: "SMITH &WESSON/NORWICH. CT./CAST-STEEL/PATENT." The top of the frame has a screw-fastened notch rear sight. The hammer has fine hand-knurling on the spur. The receiver sides, top, back strap, sideplates, and back of the hammer are decorated with the well-executed, open scroll engraving that was standard on S&W Volcanic pistols. The matching serial number "164" is stamped on the back of the rear sight and on the butt under the left grip and lightly written inside the rosewood grips.

Very good with 30% fading original blue finish remaining on the breech section of the barrel and otherwise a smooth brown patina overall, crisp markings and engraving, and minor age and storage related wear overall. The re-varnished grips are also very good and have nice striped patterns, handling wear, minor lower edge wear including a small chip at the heel on the left, and generally fairly minor wear. Mechanically fine. This is very attractive example of the ever scarce Smith & Wesson No. 2 pistols in the even scarcer early configuration.