S&W Model 1

Smith & Wesson · Revolver · Discontinued · 1857

Also known as: Smith & Wesson Model No. 1, S&W No. 1

Overview

The Smith & Wesson Model 1 was the first firearm produced by Smith & Wesson and the first commercially successful revolver to use a self-contained metallic rimfire cartridge rather than loose powder, ball, and percussion caps. A single-action, seven-shot tip-up revolver chambered in .22 Short, it was loaded by unlatching and tipping the barrel up so the cylinder could be removed and recharged. Exploiting Rollin White's bored-through-cylinder patent, it launched in 1857 and proved enormously popular through the American Civil War, with production continuing until 1882.

Specifications

Weight (empty)	312 g (11.0 oz)
Overall Length	178 mm (7.01")
Barrel Length	83 mm (3.27")
Action Type	Single Action
Firing Mechanism	Hammer Fired
Trigger Type	Single Action
Magazine Capacity	7 rounds
Magazine Type	Revolving Cylinder
Muzzle Velocity	230 m/s (755 fps)
Muzzle Energy	50 J (37 ft·lbf)
Effective Range	15 m (16 yd)
Maximum Range	50 m (55 yd)
Barrel Rifling	Right Hand
Frame Material	Brass
Barrel Material	Steel
Stock Material	Walnut
Finish	Blued

Calibers

.22 Short Rimfire · primary — also known as .22 Short, .22 BB Cap

Features

Firing modes: Repeating
Feed systems: Tip Up Cylinder
Features: Tip Up Barrel, Removable Cylinder, Spur Trigger, Bored Through Cylinder

Variants

S&W Model 1 2nd Issue — Second Issue
S&W Model 1 3rd Issue — Third Issue

Service history

Operators

American civilians (Civil War era) · adopted 1861

Conflicts

American Civil War (1861-1865)

Production

Estimated total produced: 253,000 · Production years: 1857-1882

Approx. 12,000 1st Issue, 110,000 2nd Issue, and 131,000 3rd Issue produced.

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Designer: Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson

Discontinued: 1882

Notes

Produced in three issues: 1st Issue (~12,000), 2nd Issue (~110,000), and 3rd Issue (~131,000). The .22 rimfire cartridge it introduced was the first American metallic cartridge.

Background

Smith & Wesson built the Model 1 around Rollin White's patent for a bored-through cylinder, which they had secured exclusive rights to, blocking competitors from making cartridge revolvers in the United States until the patent expired in 1869.