EXCEPTIONAL CASED AND INSCRIBED CIVIL WAR SMITH & WESSON #2 ARMY REVOLVER.

EXCEPTIONAL CASED AND INSCRIBED CIVIL WAR SMITH & WESSON #2 ARMY REVOLVER. SN 4964. Cal. 32. This is an exceptional example of the popular Civil War Smith & Wesson army revolver with 6″ bbl. Based on serial number and factory letter this gun was shipped on June 4, 1862 to New York distributor J.W. Storrs where it was cased and pearl grips were added and name inscribed (B.A. Farnham). This gun retains most of its original finish and is a very fine cased example with beautiful inscribed pearl grips and about 80 fitted 32 Cal. cartridges. The gun has matching assembly numbers and includes orig cleaning rod. Benjaman Armstrong Farnham was born in 1811 in Andover, MA. He established a dry goods business in Philadelphia in 1833 and remained in that business for over 40 years. He was partners with his nephew George Gilbert in Farnham, Gilbert & Co. They had offices in Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. They also started a small bank about 1870 in New York. He retired to Sing Sing, NY and was living there when he wrote a 367 page diary (1894) which is included with this gun. The diary has entries day by day and it is obvious the Farnham family was very well to do and it might give you a glimpse into the life of a wealthy Victorian family. There are sailing excursions to West Point, Shakespeare club meetings, and recitals in the parlor, large lawn parties and political events (and his views on them). Also accompanying this gun is a bound memoriam for Farnham’s older sister privately published in 1894. There is a large file of genealogy and other information concerning Mr. Farnham’s history. PROVENANCE: Bobby Smith Coll., Lloyd Jackson Coll., Marlan Polhemus Collection. CONDITION: Gun retains over 90% of its original bright blue finish on frame, cyl and bbl with staining and thinning. Maker and patent marks on bbl flat and cyl are crisp and easily read as are serial numbers. Mother-of-Pearl grips are well fit and very fine with inscription easily read. Mechanically gun functions well with crisp shiny rifling. Rosewood French-lined veneered casing with large bullet block is in fine condition retaining much of its original varnish and shield shaped brass plaque on top of case is finely engraved “B. A. Farnham”. 4-48734 JS74 (8,000-10,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2198	$11,500.00	EXCEPTIONAL CASED AND INSCRIBED CIVIL WAR SMITH & WESSON #2 ARMY REVOLVER. SN 4964. Cal. 32. This is an exceptional example of the popular Civil War Smith & Wesson army revolver with 6″ bbl. Based on serial number and factory letter this gun was shipped on June 4, 1862 to New York distributor J.W. Storrs where it was cased and pearl grips were added and name inscribed (B.A. Farnham). This gun retains most of its original finish and is a very fine cased example with beautiful inscribed pearl grips and about 80 fitted 32 Cal. cartridges. The gun has matching assembly numbers and includes orig cleaning rod. Benjaman Armstrong Farnham was born in 1811 in Andover, MA. He established a dry goods business in Philadelphia in 1833 and remained in that business for over 40 years. He was partners with his nephew George Gilbert in Farnham, Gilbert & Co. They had offices in Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston. They also started a small bank about 1870 in New York. He retired to Sing Sing, NY and was living there when he wrote a 367 page diary (1894) which is included with this gun. The diary has entries day by day and it is obvious the Farnham family was very well to do and it might give you a glimpse into the life of a wealthy Victorian family. There are sailing excursions to West Point, Shakespeare club meetings, and recitals in the parlor, large lawn parties and political events (and his views on them). Also accompanying this gun is a bound memoriam for Farnham’s older sister privately published in 1894. There is a large file of genealogy and other information concerning Mr. Farnham’s history. PROVENANCE: Bobby Smith Coll., Lloyd Jackson Coll., Marlan Polhemus Collection. CONDITION: Gun retains over 90% of its original bright blue finish on frame, cyl and bbl with staining and thinning. Maker and patent marks on bbl flat and cyl are crisp and easily read as are serial numbers. Mother-of-Pearl grips are well fit and very fine with inscription easily read. Mechanically gun functions well with crisp shiny rifling. Rosewood French-lined veneered casing with large bullet block is in fine condition retaining much of its original varnish and shield shaped brass plaque on top of case is finely engraved “B. A. Farnham”. 4-48734 JS74 (8,000-10,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2013 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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