W4430 FACTORY ENGRAVED SMITH & WESSON NO. 2 LARGE FRAME PISTOL IN 41 CALIBER [A]

Description W4430 FACTORY ENGRAVED SMITH & WESSON NO. 2 LARGE FRAME PISTOL IN 41 CALIBER; This very scarce factory engraved early production serial number 129 large frame No. 2 Volcanic lever action pistol has an 8 inch part octagon barrel chambered in 41 caliber and has a good bore with defined rifling. Also has the distinctive “Type I” features which include an uncrowned flat muzzle with flat front magazine locking spring retained by a screw at its bottom and one carrier block spring screw on the bottom of the frame. The top of the barrel is stamped with the “SMITH &WESSON/NORWICH. CT./CAST-STEEL” ahead of “PATENT”. Integral 10-shot magazine below the barrel. Sights include a blade front and a screw-fastened notch rear. Barrel and magazine tube assembly have a smooth gray and brown patina. The factory engraved iron frame has an attractive aged finish and scroll engraving. Varnished Rosewood grips are very good as refinished with some light handling mars. Action functions properly. This Smith & Wesson Volcanic pistol was manufactured in 1854. Fewer than 500 of these .41 caliber large frame No. 2 Volcanic pistols between 1854-1855. Surviving examples of these early Smith & Wesson Volcanic pistols are scarce and extremely desirable in any condition as part of the beginning of the development of lever action repeaters that evolved into the Henry and Winchester rifles and they also mark the very beginning of Smith & Wesson and have excellent collector value.  ANTIQUE   $ 24,750.