Smith & Wesson Model No. 1

About the Smith & Wesson Model No. 1

The Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 is a single-action, tip-up revolver introduced in 1857 and the first firearm Smith & Wesson ever produced. Holding seven .22 Short rimfire rounds in a bored-through cylinder, it was the first commercially successful revolver designed for self-contained metallic cartridges, displacing loose powder, ball, and percussion caps and selling strongly through the American Civil War as a pocket-sized self-defense arm.

The Model No. 1 was the first commercially successful revolver to fire self-contained metallic rimfire cartridges, and Smith & Wesson's lock on the Rollin White bored-through cylinder patent forced rivals like Colt to wait until 1869 to build cartridge revolvers of their own.

Smith & Wesson Model No. 1 specifications

Built around Rollin White's bored-through cylinder patent, which gave S&W an effective monopoly on cartridge revolvers in the US until 1869. Made in First, Second, and Third Issue patterns.