This early Smith & Wesson No. 2 lever action repeating pistol was manufactured in Norwich, Connecticut, c. 1854. This pistol features an eight-inch, part-round/part-octagon barrel with integral, 10-shot, magazine. The pistol has a, toggle link lever with finger hole finger hole and spur and two-piece rosewood grips with flared heels. This pistol has the early Type I features which include: (1) un-crowned muzzle, (2) flat magazine locking spring (3) round slotted follower, (4) lever with spur on the finger hole and (5) frame with hump behind the hammer. The pistol has a brass flattened cone front sight and L-shaped, notched rear sight. The hammer spur has fine hand-knurling. The top and sides of the frame, side plates, back strap and hammer are decorated with the factory open scroll and leaf style engraving usually found on early S&W No. 2 pistols (examples of identical engraving are illustrated on pages 26 and 27 of "VOLCANIC FIREARMS" by Lewis and Rutter). The top of the barrel is stamped: "SMITH & WESSON/NORWICH CT./CAST-STEEL" in three lines followed by "PATENT". The serial number is stamped on the face of the rear sight and on the bottom of the left side of the frame beneath the grip. All of the visible serial numbers match. The rosewood grips have a high polish varnish finish. Total production of the S&W No. 2 lever action pistol is estimated at fewer than 500 pistols.

Very fine. The revolver is all original and retains 60% plus of the original finish on the barrel. The brown finish on the barrel and integral magazine has aged to an attractive plum patina. The metal surfaces are smooth, edges are sharp, and markings are crisp. The blue finish originally applied to the receivers of S&W lever action pistols was delicate and rarely survived intact; the receiver and grip straps of this pistol have a very attractive silver-gray patina with smooth surfaces. The simple but well-executed factory engraving is crisp. The flared rosewood grips are in fine condition and retain 40% of the original finish; wear is limited to several tiny chips in the right grip heel and a few very insignificant handling marks. The Smith & Wesson lever action pistols are rare and historically significant firearms. The combination of lever actuated toggle action, integral magazine and self-contained cartridge were years in advance of contemporary firearm design and represented a huge step forward in the design of repeating firearms. Provenance: The Legendary Mac McCroskie Collection