This No. 2 Lever Action Repeating Pistol was manufactured by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson in Norwich, Connecticut c. 1854-55. This pistol has a rare six-inch, part round-part octagon, barrel with integral magazine. The barrel has a crowned muzzle with rounded T-bar magazine locking spring, brass, clam-shell shaped follower and flattened cone front sight. The Type II receiver has the distinctive hump behind the hammer, early style loading lever with finger spur, two bottom screws and L-shaped rear sight with rounded top. The two-piece grips have a flared butt. The sides and top of the receiver, back strap and the top of the hammer are decorated with the factory open scroll engraving. The top barrel flat is roll stamped: "SMITH & WESSON/CAST-STEEL NORWICH. CT. PATENT" in two lines. The serial number "5" is stamped on the right side of the butt beneath the grips. The barrel was originally browned and the frame blued. The hammer, trigger and lever are color casehardened. Smith & Wesson manufactured approximately 500 No. 2 lever action pistols primarily with eight-inch barrels. No. 2 Type I and Type II pistols with six-inch barrels are rare.

Good-fine. This rare pistol is all original and retains 20% of the brown, blue and color casehardened finish. The browned barrel has aged to a smooth, plum-brown patina. The barrel shows some edge wear on high points with several shallow dents on the sides of the flats. The barrel legend is crisp. The receiver has a mottled, gray-brown, patina. The well executed factory scroll engraving is sharp and deep. The sides of the hammer retain 40% of the original case colors. The case colors on the lever and trigger have aged to a smooth plum patina. The grips remain in fine condition with a good-looking cream-colored patina. There are several minor hair-line cracks in the butt and back side of the left grip. This is a fine example of a rare and historically significant Smith & Wesson No. 2, Lever Action Repeating Pistol with Type II receiver and rare six-inch barrel. Provenance: Dr. Gerald Klaz collection.