S&W Model 1 Through 1 1/2 and Variations With Pictures of Each

The Smith & Wesson Model 1 was issued in three different variations. Each issue included technical advances and redesigns. Listed below are the specifications of each issue  and what was changed as well as a visual example of each variation.
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Model 1 - 1st Issue

The S&W Model 1 1st Issue is the most rare. Only 12,000 were produced over 3 years. 

The distinguishing features for the 1st issue are:

•             flared, square cornered shaped grip (also featured in the 2nd Issue)

•             split articulated hammer

•             small round side plate located between the rear of the cylinder and the grip (similar to early Colt open tops)

•             in early models a flat spring barrel mount catch.

There are said to also be 6 sub-variations within the 1st Issue. Each of these include minor changes in design such as the barrel latch going form a flat spring to a bayonet style. The barrel rifling and recoil shield was also changed.

Serial Numbers range for Model 1 1st issue were 1-12,000
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Model 1 - 2nd Issue

The 2nd Issue of the Model 1 shares the same grip and frame design as the 1st issue so they are often confused. There are several notable differences listed below.

•             The side plate on the 2nd Issue was much larger and irregularly shaped replacing the round one.

•             The profile of the frame was more flat

•             the hammer was now made in one piece

110,000 2nd Issues were produced from 1860- 1868

Serial numbers range  12,000 - 120,000
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Model 1- 3rd Issue

The Model 1 3rd Issue included a more substantial change in design from the 1^st and 2^nd  Issue.

Changes included:

• fluted cylinder
• round barrel
• rounded "bird's head" style grip
• Finish options included nickel plate and blued steel

Produced from 1868 through 1882, the 3rd Issues were serial number range 1 -  131,000.

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The Model 1 1/2 had three issues. The first two (known as the first and second issues) were "tip-up" revolvers with the barrel release catch located on the side of the frame in front of the trigger, while the third (known as the "Model 1 1/2 Single Action Revolver") was a "top-break", with the barrel release catch located on the top of the frame, just in front of the hammer.
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Model 1 1/2 1st Issue

The first issue of the Model 1 1/2 can be identified by :

·         smooth cylinder (lacking fluting)

·         square shape of the grip butt

·         blued or nickel plated finishes

·          most had 3 1/2" barrels, 4" barrel were made but less common

Serial number range 1 - 26,300
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Model 1 1/2 - 2nd Issue

The second issue of the Model 1 1/2 features:

·         rounded barrel

·         rounded shape of the grip butt

·         also produced in blued steel and nickel plated finish

·          commonly 3 1/2" barrel, A rare 2 1/2" barrel was also made with the barrel markings on the side of the barrel  as opposed to the top strap on  3 1/2" barrels.

2nd Issue serial numbered consecutively after the 1st Issue were 26,300 -  127,000.

There was a transitional run in 2nd issue that used unrounded 1st issue barrels. The serial number range for transitional models was approximately 27,200 through 28,800.
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Single Action Revolver

The third issue Model 1 1/2 is known as the "Model No. 1 1/2 Single Action Revolver"

There were major changes in this model including:

·         Top break design (just forward of the hammer)

·         No ejector rod under the barrel

·          large hinge located in front of and just below the barrel

·          an extractor that ejects spent cartridges when the barrel is opened

·         rounded butt grips similar to ones on the 2nd Issue

·         marked the debut of the .32 S&W centerfire cartridge.

Serial numbers range  1 - 97,500

20 rds .30 Pedersen Device Ammo Model of 1918 RARE

 Ultra Rare Find!! 20 rounds .30 Pedersen Device Ammo Model of 1918 in the original box! see photos for condition The Pedersen Device, or as it was formally designation, the Automatic Pistol, Caliber .30, Model of 1918, was a secret weapon intended to help break the stalemate of World War I in the massive spring offensive of 1919. Of course, the was ended late in 1918, and the Pedersen Devices were never fielded. Instead, they sat in storage until being virtually all destroyed (along with the ammo)by the US government to avoid the cost of keeping them. The Device functioned as a replacement for the bolt in a 1903 Springfield rifle, which converted the gun form a bolt action into a blowback semiauto firing a small pistol cartridge (.30-18, or 7.65x20mm). It fed from a 40-round detachable magazine, and did indeed massively increase the volume and rapidity of fire of a Springfield rifle.

Military Ammunition Identification Charts and Graphics

5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, 9 mm, 10- and 12-gauge, .22 Caliber, .30 Caliber, .38 Caliber, .45 Caliber, .300 WinMag and .50 Caliber. 5.56 mm cartridge is used in the M16 Rifle, M4 Carbine and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. The 7.62 mm cartridge is used in the M240 Machine Gun, as well as the M24, M110 and M14 Enhanced Battle Rifle Sniper Rifles. The 9 mm cartridge is fired in the M9 Pistol. The M2010 Sniper Rifle uses the .300 WinMag cartridge.

Visual Color Code and ID Guides-These are just a few useful charts for the identification of various military production ammo cartridges and bullets. Color identification is helpful in classifying surplus ammunition.Pictures may not represent actual size.

Bullet Tip Color Codes Meaning for US Military Rounds

Common Military Cartridges and Their Bullets Visual Comparison Chart

Am. Ex. Co. Smith and Wesson S&W DA .38 w/ Letter

I Have This Item For Sale .....Am. Ex. Co. Smith and Wesson S&W DA .38 w/ Letter

This is an American Railway Express Company S&W Double Action 4^th model in .38 S&W. It was shipped directly to the American Express Railway Company in 1903 as established by Roy Jinks with included letter. Am. Ex. Co is stamped on the back strap along with the company rack number. It was one of 25 shipped to Am. Ex. At that time. The action is excellent tight and crisp with a good bore. Lock up is very good. There is a star by the serial number indicating that it was at some point sent back to the S&W factory for repair or refinishing. It was likely factory refinished as indicated by the wear patterns compared to the remaining finish. Gun shows holster wear signs that it was carried a lot but the smooth tight action indicates it was rarely if ever fired.  This was probably carried in a holster daily by an agent for many years. This is a very rare find as not many of these are out there. Must ship to FFL or C&R. Buyer must be legally able to purchase and own a firearm. For sale on Gunbroker here https://www.gunbroker.com/item/778119624

 From The Letter Of Authenticity :

The revolver you inquired about is a .38 Double Action. This model was introduced in 1880 and
manufactured until 1911, with a total production of 554,077 revolvers. It was designed to fire the
.38 Smith & Wesson cartridge and was available in blue or nickel finish. During the first twenty-nine
years that this model was produced, four major design changes were made. These design
improvements are now classified by collectors as separate models to distinguish the different
variations from the original. The resulting five categories are simply labeled .38 Double Action
First Model through .38 Double Action Fifth Model.
The revolver described in your letter is classified as a .38 Double Action Fourth Model. This
model was introduced in 1889 and manufactured until 1909 with a total production of 216,300
revolvers. These were produced between serial numbers 322001 and 539000 of the .38 Double
Action series.
We have researched your Smith & Wesson .38 Double Action Fourth Model, caliber .38 Smith &
Wesson revolver in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number
45----, was shipped from our factory on November 2, 1903 and delivered to American Express
Co. no address listed. This revolver was shipped with a 4 inch barrel, nickel finish, and
checkered black hard rubber grips. This shipment was for 25 units and the back straps were
marked "Am. Ex. Co.". These revolvers were generally delivered to the local American Express
office in Springfield, MA. The star next to the serial number indicates the revolver had been
returned to the factory.