Manufactured c. 1857-1860, this is an exceptional example of a Smith & Wesson No. 1 first type revolver, which were the company's first metallic cartridge firearm. This revolver is the "sixth type" as defined by Norm Flayderman, which saw the elimination of the rotating recoil device and a ratchet made as an integral part of the cylinder. These sixth type revolvers were manufactured in the latter part of the 1857-1860 production run of the First Issue revolvers. The top of the barrel rib is marked with the single-line address. The patent date marking is on the cylinder. The matching serial number is on the butt and stamped inside the right grip panel. The assembly numbers "6" and "2" are marked perpendicular to each other on the left of the grip frame, rear face of the barrel lug, and front face of the cylinder. It is fitted with a German silver blade front sight, notch rear sight on the cylinder stop, and a pair of smooth rosewood grips. Includes a scarce and very desirable gutta percha case. The case features the likeness of a No. 1 First Issue, patriotic and scroll motifs in the corners, small revolvers as the upper and lower borders, and the Smith & Wesson markings on the outside of the lid; small revolvers as the border on the bottom. The inside of the lid is lined with plum velvet with floral designs and the lower half is lined with red baize and has an empty cartridge block. Reportedly, 5,000 of these cases were produced by Littlefield, Parsons & Co. in two variations, with very few examples surviving, particularly in extremely high condition like this one. Provenance: The Cam & Deb Cooper Collection

Exceptionally fine, retains 90% of the bright, high polish, original blue finish and 98% of the mostly bright original silver finish with some mild edge wear on the blued components, some very light speckled bubbling of the silver plating on the right of the frame, and a patch of dark patina on the butt. The grips are very fine with scattered light handling marks and almost all of the varnish. Mechanically excellent. The case is exceptionally fine with a few very light handling marks and a few patches of mild storage wear on the interior. It would be very difficult to improve upon this Smith & Wesson No. 1 first issue revolver with its gutta percha case!