This Small-frame No. 1 Lever Action Repeating pistol was manufactured by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson in Norwich, Connecticut c. 1854. This Type II pistol has a .31 caliber, four-inch, part-round/part octagon barrel with crowned muzzle, narrow collar and rounded T-bar spring. The barrel has an integral, six-shot magazine, steel, clam shell-shaped follower and brass, flattened, front sight blade. The receiver has the loading lever with finger hole, ejection port with square rear edge and simple rear sight with shallow notch. The pistol has two-piece, bag-shaped rosewood or walnut grips. The barrel/magazine was originally browned, the receiver blued and the hammer and lever color casehardened. The grips have a high polish piano finish. The receiver, back strap and hammer are decorated with the standard Smith & Wesson open scroll and leaf engraving. The serial number "51" is stamped on the left side of the butt beneath the grip, on the lever toggle and the inside of both grips. "F" is stamped on the right side of the lever. The top barrel flat is stamped: "SMITH & WESSON/NORWICH. CT." in two lines. "CAST-STEEL" is stamped on the right flat and "PATENT/FEB. 14. 1854" is stamped on the left flat. Total production of the Smith & Wesson No. 1 pistol is estimated at about 700 guns manufactured by Smith & Wesson and approximately 500 additional guns assembled by Volcanic Repeating Arms Co., using parts acquired from Smith & Wesson.

Fair. This Smith & Wesson No.1 pistol is all original. The blue, brown and casehardened finish of the receiver, barrel hammer and lever has aged an attractive, silver-gray, patina. The barrel and receiver have scattered spots of age discoloration. Metal surfaces are smooth with only a few, very insignificant, scratches and handling marks. The barrel legend and well-executed factory scroll engraving are sharp. The bag-shaped rosewood or walnut grips are in good condition and have 30% of the original piano finish with some minor handling marks. This is a good-looking original example of a rare Smith & Wesson No. 1, Type II, lever-action pistol. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.