Manufactured c. 1857-1858, this is an example of a Second Type Smith & Wesson No. 1 First Issue revolver. These No. 1 First Issue revolvers are considered to be the first successful American metallic cartridge revolver with a bored through cylinder. This example has the distinctive "bayonet" barrel latch visible on the front bottom of the frame and lacks the visible key fastening the recoil plate which was a defining feature of the First Type, while still having the revolving recoil plate. The single line Smith & Wesson address is on top of the barrel rib and matching numbers are present on the toe, barrel lug, front face of the cylinder, and inside both grips. The patent date is rolled on the cylinder in a single line. The distinctive round sideplate of the First Issue No. 1 revolvers is visible on the left of the frame. Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection

Very good plus, retains traces of the 30% of the original silver finish and traces of the original blue finish with the balance having thinned to either an attractive antique brass or a mostly smooth grey patina with some scattered light pitting. The grips are also very good with some scattered light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.