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Smith & Wesson

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Collectible Smith & Wesson Firearms

Among the great names in collectible firearms that have become legendary in the history of American weaponry, Smith & Wesson products hold a prominent place. These Smith & Wesson revolvers are prized by enthusiasts of collectible revolvers and antique American black-powder firearms. Since the era of the conquest of the West, the brand has been a formidable competitor to Colt, securing a significant spot among collectible firearms from the American West for history buffs of that period.

Collectible Smith & Wesson Revolvers

The Smith & Wesson company was founded in 1852 through the partnership of Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson, both of whom already possessed extensive experience in the firearms industry. Initially, the company developed the “Volcanic” handgun, the rights to which were soon sold to the firm that would later become Winchester. Through a subsequent partnership in 1857, Smith & Wesson developed a product based on an acquired patent for a metallic black-powder cartridge.

Why Choose a Smith & Wesson Revolver for Metallic Black-Powder Cartridges?

The first Smith & Wesson revolver—simply named the “Model No. 1″—was manufactured in 1857. Smith & Wesson’s numbering system for its metallic-cartridge revolvers is not particularly straightforward. For instance, the Smith & Wesson “No. 1” revolver has three distinct variations; the first of these—the “Smith & Wesson No. 1 First Issue”—itself comprises six different versions. Yet, this complexity did not hinder the success of this small-caliber (.22 rimfire) metallic-cartridge revolver, which was produced between 1857 and 1881, with a total output exceeding 131,000 units. This model evolved into the Smith & Wesson No. 1½ and No. 2—manufactured from 1865 to 1868 and 1861 to 1874, respectively—both chambered for the .32 rimfire cartridge.

Smith & Wesson Revolvers of the American West

The Smith & Wesson model synonymous with the conquest of the American West is the No. 3, in its various iterations; it is arguably the most desirable Smith & Wesson revolver for collectors. It is a must-have for enthusiasts of antique American metallic-cartridge firearms and collectible revolvers. The weapon achieved considerable success thanks to its use of a metallic black-powder cartridge—specifically the powerful and accurate .44 caliber round—as well as its centerfire ignition and rapid-opening cylinder mechanism, which offered distinct advantages to the user. It was adopted by various militaries, including the U.S. Army and the Imperial Russian Army; the latter commissioned the “Russian” model, a well-known piece among revolver collectors.

Hundreds of thousands of Smith & Wesson No. 3 “American” and “Russian” revolvers were produced—both by Smith & Wesson and under license—up until 1912; the model paved the way for subsequent Smith & Wesson single- and double-action revolvers.