Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 Second Issue .22 Short Tip-Up Revolver, 3 3/16 Inch Barrel (1866 Antique)
This 1866 Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 Second Issue is a tip-up, spur-trigger pocket revolver chambered in .22 Short. It features the spring-loaded circular "lollipop" barrel latch with the rear sight notch integral to the latch, a 3 3/16 inch round barrel with a narrow top rib and single-line address/patent marking, and a birds-head grip frame with checkered wood grips. Observed external features resemble Third Issue styling, adding notable interest to this Second Issue example.
Condition
Overall Condition: Good condition, showing some signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Overall Condition: Good - Clean, well-maintained, minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good Rifling - Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: This firearm is in solid shape. It shows various cosmetic imperfections, including scratches, blemishes, and areas of finish loss. The bore remains clean and shiny.
What’s Included
- Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 Second Issue .22 Short revolver
This revolver follows the classic S&W tip-up design, operating in single-action with a spur trigger and spur hammer. The spring-loaded circular "lollipop" barrel latch serves both as the locking mechanism and the rear sight, contributing to a clean, period-correct sight picture.
The 3 3/16 inch round barrel wears a narrow top rib and bears a single-line address/patent marking consistent with the era. An under-barrel fixed ejector rod with a knurled head, retained by a slotted screw, provides the correct extraction setup for this pattern.
Frame and handling details reflect a compact pocket revolver: a birds-head grip frame fitted with coarse-checkered wood grips and brass escutcheons, plus a fluted cylinder. The overall package balances discreet size with the recognizable S&W early tip-up profile.
Manufactured in 1866 in the United States and designated as a Second Issue, this example displays external features associated with Third Issue styling. That blend of attributes, along with its antique status and .22 Short chambering, makes it a noteworthy piece for those focused on 19th-century S&W tip-up revolvers.