This No. 1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol was manufactured by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson in Norwich, Connecticut, circa 1854-55. Total production of the No.1 Lever Action Pocket Pistol is estimated at fewer than 1,200 pistols. This pistol has the standard part-round/part-octagon barrel with crowned muzzle and integral six-shot magazine, iron frame, round butt and distinctive cocking lever with finger hole and spur. The barrel has a brass cone front sight. A fixed rear sight is mounted on the frame. The two-piece bag-shaped rosewood grips have a high polish varnish finish. The frame is decorated with the open scroll engraving that was standard on these pistols. The left barrel flat is roll-stamped: "PATENT/FEB 14, 1854". The top of the barrel is stamped: "SMITH & WESSON/ NORWICH CT." in two-lines, and the right barrel flat is stamped: "CAST-STEEL". The serial number, "136", is on the front of the lever, on the left side of the frame beneath the grips and on the inside of both grips. All of the visible serial numbers match. The lever action and integral magazine introduced on the S&W Pre-Volcanic lever action pistols represent the first iteration of the lever action/integral magazine subsequently incorporated in the successful Henry and Winchester rifles, and the unique "rocket ball" cartridge introduced with the S&W lever action repeating pistols was one of the first self-contained cartridges. A letter of evaluation by noted firearm historian R.L. Wilson is included with the pistol.

Good. The pistol has a good looking silver-gray patina overall. There are scattered spots of light pitting and small areas of age discoloration on the barrel, frame, hammer and lever. The barrel marking are sharp. The factory scroll engraving shows moderate wear. The revarnished bag-shaped rosewood grips are also good. The grips have moderate handling wear with several small chips in the edges. This is a solid representative example of a rare and historically important S&W Pre-Volcanic No.1 Pocket Pistol.