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Extremely Rare Double Cased Pair of Engraved Smith & Wesson Large Frame Lever Action Repeating Pistols
LOT 1008
Exceptionally Rare Cased Pair of Factory Engraved Smith & Wesson No. 2 Lever Action Pistols
-A) Smith & Wesson No. 2 Lever Action Pistol - Serial no. 208, 41 Volcanic cal., 8 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish,
rosewood grips. Offered here is an exceptionally rare cased pair of Smith & Wesson lever action repeating pistols (nos. 208 and 206), which are serialized only two digits apart. Fewer than 500 No. 2 large frame pistols were manufactured by S&W in 1854-55. Cased pair sets are nearly unheard of. Each pistol has an 8 inch part octagon barrel in .41 caliber, integral magazine, flat muzzle, pinched front sight, screw fastened “L” shaped “V” notch rear sight numbered to the respective gun, lever with finger spur and early round magazine follower. The top barrel flats are marked differently. Gun “A”: “CAST STEEL” followed by “SMITH & WESSON/PATENT/NORWICH CT.” Gun “B”: “SMITH & WESSON CAST STEEL/PATENT/NORWICH CT.” Each pistol has a factory scroll engraving on the sides of the receiver and leaf type patterns on top of the receiver and hammer with slight variations. On the “A” gun matching serial numbers appear on the left side of the grip frame, both grip panels (in pencil) and rear sight. On the “B” gun matching serial numbers appear on the left side of the grip frame, both grip panels
(in pencil), rear sight and hammer. The partitioned case, although period, is not typical of S&W cases, houses both pistols and features
two empty circular cut-outs in the center for currently absent accessories. These pistols are highly prized due to the limited production
quantities and historical significance as a pioneering arm to both Smith & Wesson and Winchester collectors.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and magazine retain 60% original blue finish with the balance thinning to a brown. The receiver retains 30% plus original blue with the balance between smooth brown and gray patinas. The engraving is crisp. 60% original case colors remain on the hammer. The very slightly undersized grips are fine with some scattered minor handling marks. Mechanically fine. The case is very good with minor handling/storage marks and faded
lining with some stains and high spot wear. With fewer than 500 manufactured the No. 2 S&W Lever Action is a difficult pistol to obtain, let alone a cased pair, in any condition and is a must have for any antique American arms collector.
B) Smith & Wesson No. 2 Lever Action Pistol -
Serial no. 206, 41 Volcanic cal., 8 inch part octagon bbl., blue finish, rosewood grips. As described in “A”. CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and magazine retain 60% original blue finish with the balance thinning to brown. The receiver retains strong
amounts of original blue finish in and around the protected areas with the balance between smooth
brown and gray patinas. A small patch of deep pitting
is present on the left side of the receiver. The engraving
is crisp. 70% original case colors remain on the hammer. The very slightly undersized grips are fine with a tiny
chip near the bottom (left panel) and some minor handling marks. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Dr. Gerald Klaz Collection.
Estimate: 40,000 - 60,000
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