This was the first metallic-cartridge arm produced by Smith & Wesson. It is a small revolver that weighs about 10 oz. Chambered for .22 Short rimfire cartridge. Octagonal barrel 3.25" long. Holds 7 cartridges. Barrel and non-fluted cylinder pivot upward upon release of the latch under the frame. Has a square butt with rosewood grips. Oval brass frame is silver-plated. Barrel and cylinder are blued. Barrel is stamped with company name and address; patent dates also appear. Sides of frame are rounded on the 1st issue. Other characteristics which distinguish the more valuable 1st issue from later issues include a perfectly round side plate and a hinged hammer spur. Smith & Wesson manufactured approximately 11,000 of these revolvers between 1857 and 1860. Since this was the first of its kind, it is not difficult to understand the need for the number of variations within this model designation. Many small improvements were made on the way to the next model. These variations are as follows:

Serial range 1 to low 200s. Revolving recoil shield, bayonet type catch on frame. They are too rare to make a meaningful estimate. Depending on condition, might sell in the low- to mid-five figures. Rare; values are speculative.

Serial range low 200s to 1130. Improved recoil plate.

Serial range 1130 to low 3000s. Bayonet catch dropped for spring-loaded side catch.

Serial range low 3000s to low 4200s. Recoil shield made much smaller.

Serial range low 4200s to low 5500s. Has 5-groove rifling instead of 3.

Serial range low 5500s to end of production at about 11670. A cylinder ratchet replaced revolving recoil shield.

Similar in appearance to 1st Issue, this 2nd Issue variation has several notable differences that make identification rather simple. Sides of frame on 2nd Issue are flat not rounded as on 1st Issue. Sideplate is irregular in shape—not round like on 1st Issue. Barrel is 3.1875" in length and stamped "Smith & Wesson" while cylinder is marked with three patent dates: April 3, 1858, July 5, 1859 and December 18, 1860. There have been 2nd Issue noted with full silver or nickel-plating. Smith & Wesson manufactured approximately 115,000 of these revolvers between 1860 and 1868. Serial numbers started around 11000 where 1st Issue left off and continued to 126400. Approximately 4,400 revolvers marked "2D Quality" on barrels. These revolvers were slightly defective and were sold at a lesser price. They will bring approximately 100% premium on today's market. Early production with a straight-edged sideplate, usually found in the 11000 to 12000 s/n range, will bring double values.

This is a redesigned version of its forerunners. Another .22 Short rimfire 7-shot revolver, this model has a fluted cylinder and round barrel with a raised rib. This variation was manufactured totally from wrought iron. Three patent dates are stamped on top of a ribbed barrel as is "Smith & Wesson". Features bird's-head type grips of rosewood and fully blued nickel-plated or two-toned. Frame nickel, barrel, and cylinder blued. There are two barrel lengths offered: 3.25" and 2.6875". The shorter barrel was introduced in 1872. Serial numbering began with #1 and continued to 131163. They were manufactured between 1868 and 1882. The Model 1, 3rd Issue, was the last of the tip-up style produced by Smith & Wesson. The values below are for the standard barrel length. The short barrel version is a rare variation that will bring double these values or more.

The 2.6875" barrel version. Introduced in 1872.

This model was the first of .32-caliber rimfire Short revolvers that S&W produced. It is a larger version of Model 1, but is physically similar in appearance. Model 1-1/2 was offered with 3.5" octagonal barrel. Has a 5-shot non-fluted cylinder and square butt with rosewood grips. In 1866, a 4" barrel version was produced for a short time. Estimated about 200 were sold. Finish blued or nickel-plated. Serial numbering, on this model, ran from 1 to 26300; interestingly to note, S&W had most of the parts for this revolver manufactured on contract by King & Smith of Middletown, Connecticut. Smith & Wesson merely assembled and finished them. They were produced between 1865 and 1868. Note: Add 50% premium for 4" barrel variation.

Approximately 650 of these were produced by fitting 1st Issue cylinders and barrels to 2nd Issue frames. They also have 1st Model octagon barrels, with 2nd Model bird's-head grips. These revolvers fall into serial number range 27200-28800.

Factory referred to this model as New Model 1-1/2 and it is an improved version of 1st Issue. Somewhat similar in appearance with a few notable exceptions. Barrel is 2.5" or 3.5" in length, round with a raised rib. Grip is of bird's-head configuration and 5-shot cylinder is fluted. Chambered for .32 Long rimfire cartridge. Cylinder stop located in the top frame instead of bottom. Finish and grip material are the same as 1st Issue. Approximately 100,700 manufactured between 1868 and 1875.

Rare. Watch for fakes.

Similar in appearance to Model 1, 2nd Issue, this revolver was extremely successful from a commercial standpoint. Released just in time for commencement of hostilities in the Civil War. Smith & Wesson had, in this revolver, the only weapon able to fire self-contained cartridges and be easily carried as a backup by soldiers going off to war. This resulted in a backlog of more than three years, before the company finally stopped taking orders. Chambered for .32 Long rimfire cartridge, has a 6-shot non-fluted cylinder and 4", 5" or 6" barrel lengths. Has a square butt with rosewood grips and blued or nickel-plated. Approximately 77,155 manufactured between 1861 and 1874. Rare. “Scarce.”

Standard barrel.

Note: A slight premium for early two-pin model. For rare 8" model add 800%. Rare; use caution, values are speculative.