Smith and Wesson Model 1 Third Issue

[ZKend]

A few weeks ago I was wandering around the back room in the gun shop I work at (used to be a big milsurp dealer 5 years ago until that owner went to jail for firearm sale related felonies). Stumbled upon a box of random stuff, demilitarized bayonets, some original m1carbine paratrooper stock parts, random magazines ranging from AR to Suomi to MAS. Low and behold I found this little gem. When I pulled it from the box it was covered in rust and inoperable, the cylinder didnt even rotate. So this morning i thought I'd give it some elbow grease. Let the firearm sit in oil for an hour or so then i used a copper brush and Castrol gun stripper (powder solvent mainly) and went to town slowly removing the rust. Removed all the tiny screws with some persuasion and de-rusted the innards and most of the exterior. I must say I am very happy with how it came out. Functions great and has quite the hair-trigger. I doubt I will ever fire the pistol but its a cool little piece of history. It really is amazing how far pistols have come since the 1860's.

The serial is 755, from what i found 131,163 of these model 1 3rd issue were made. So that puts this particular gun in the first 1,000 M1-3rdIssue produced. And out of all model 1 1-3rd issue is under 300,000. This being in the first 150,000. Also, since production of the Model 1 3rd Issue is from 1868-1881 I am assuming this was produced in 1868-1869. It shoots .22short which was first designed for this handgun primarily.

[millman]

[Junk Yard Dog]

Good one, I have one also, cool little revolvers, popular with soldiers during the States War as a backup weapon they bought privately.
.........firearms related felonys....damn....sounds like years in prison exploring alternative lifestyles.

[ZKend]

Yea he got two felonies for possession/sale of firearms under the influence of mary jane. He was a known straw purchaser, oh no a gun got stolen, fell off the truck kind of guy. Me being only 23 was not too familiar with his operation that ended over 5 years ago. Another business went in which soon failed, now the company I work for are in good control (and 100% legit). Have all sorts of NRA certified on-site training, a supplier for local law enforcement and sheriffs office, class 7 manufacturer and class 2 full auto licensed. Im the range officer, and im proud to work for such an upstanding business.

Also, glad you like, cant complain with a free pistol that was neglected so terribly.

[millman]

My fathers friend had one of those little pistols. It sold at his estate auction for around $300.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Sounds like a local Bubba I knew back in the 90's. He got busted down south coming home from Florida with a trunk full of guns and blow. Good riddance.

[ZKend]

Why else would one go to Florida?! Guns n' Blow, just goes soo well together. Its the new "Guns n' Ammo"

[Junk Yard Dog]

That was the 90's, that Bubba probably spent too much time watching Miami Vice in the 80's, the man was a true idiot who had gotten lucky a dozen times until that moment when he saw lights in the rearview mirror. Like any fool he started off small time, selling .25 Ravens to down state gangbangers, then a little powder, they all of a sudden he is moving major weight for his new buddies. he didn't go down for some handgun violation and a little personal use blow, oh no, several keys, and at least one converted Mac, among other toys. This is a guy who when he had a 01FFL back before Billy Clinton cracked down on what was caller "coffee table dealers" would get anyone whatever they wanted and make sure the paperwork got "lost" I smiled for two weeks straight after getting word of what happened to Bubba.

[desdem12]

[Junk Yard Dog]

oh dude that is so cool epic pistol so small i want one. It would be a great additions to my collection

greg

Welcome to the board

[Celt]

Great find!