CASED NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED SMITH & WESSON TYPE IV NO.

CASED NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED SMITH & WESSON TYPE IV NO. 2 ARMY REVOLVER. Cal. 32 RF. Spectacular example of Nimschke’s engraving, this revolver has 5” bbl with beautiful pearl grips, having a very deep-relief carved, early American eagle, perched on a Federal shield. The left side of the frame and bbl are beautifully engraved in typical Nimschke style of fine foliate arabesque patterns with punch-dot background. Bbl lug has Nimschke’s trademark dog’s head in the center and the sideplate, another dog’s head with an intertwining serpent toward the rear. The right side of the revolver, cylinder, backstrap, and top of the frame and bbl have the typical Nimschke engraving with intertwined foliate arabesque patterns and his trademark flower. It is readily apparent from the quality of the Nimschke engraving, to the spectacular carved pearl grips and silver plating, that this revolver was built for someone special. It is accompanied by a most unusual and distinct casing made of birdseye maple veneer with fine ivory banding. The lid, front and back of the case have decorative 15/16” wide thin ivory strips with delicate ivory bars and brass studs with ivory buttons as retainers. Each end has four more of the brass studs with ivory buttons. The center of the case is inlaid with a 3” x 2-1/8” scalloped ivory panel bearing the initials “DWB”. It is speculated by former owners that this was Daniel B. Wesson’s personal revolver. The interior of the case is lined with rose-colored chamois, French-fitted to the revolver, with two compartments, one of which contains a rare early black label box for Smith & Wesson No. 2 cartridges, by Smith & Wesson with patent date of April 17, 1860. Provenance: Don Lewis & John Otteman Collections. SN 25615. CONDITION: Exceedingly fine. The revolver retains 96-98% strong bright original silver plating with minor flaking on the cylinder, front and backstraps have some minor pimpling on the bottom of the frame. The extraordinary grips have lots of fire with one age line on the left side and are near perfect. The bore is bright and shiny with some minor scuffing in the grooves. The exterior of the case, with one or two small grain checks, retains most of its fine patinated original finish. One small ivory keeper on the back of the box is broken and another on the front is chipped, otherwise the ivory is all intact and has a beautiful mellow color. The interior is lightly faded with wear impressions under the gun and in the lid. The empty cartridge box is very fine, slightly soiled with a rub spot on the label, not affecting the lettering; all of the lettering is completely legible. The marbled green and black band is almost completely intact with one minor loss. A really fine box. . 4-49445 (40,000-60,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2003

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
	887	$44,275.00	CASED NIMSCHKE ENGRAVED SMITH & WESSON TYPE IV NO. 2 ARMY REVOLVER. Cal. 32 RF. Spectacular example of Nimschke’s engraving, this revolver has 5” bbl with beautiful pearl grips, having a very deep-relief carved, early American eagle, perched on a Federal shield. The left side of the frame and bbl are beautifully engraved in typical Nimschke style of fine foliate arabesque patterns with punch-dot background. Bbl lug has Nimschke’s trademark dog’s head in the center and the sideplate, another dog’s head with an intertwining serpent toward the rear. The right side of the revolver, cylinder, backstrap, and top of the frame and bbl have the typical Nimschke engraving with intertwined foliate arabesque patterns and his trademark flower. It is readily apparent from the quality of the Nimschke engraving, to the spectacular carved pearl grips and silver plating, that this revolver was built for someone special. It is accompanied by a most unusual and distinct casing made of birdseye maple veneer with fine ivory banding. The lid, front and back of the case have decorative 15/16” wide thin ivory strips with delicate ivory bars and brass studs with ivory buttons as retainers. Each end has four more of the brass studs with ivory buttons. The center of the case is inlaid with a 3” x 2-1/8” scalloped ivory panel bearing the initials “DWB”. It is speculated by former owners that this was Daniel B. Wesson’s personal revolver. The interior of the case is lined with rose-colored chamois, French-fitted to the revolver, with two compartments, one of which contains a rare early black label box for Smith & Wesson No. 2 cartridges, by Smith & Wesson with patent date of April 17, 1860. Provenance: Don Lewis & John Otteman Collections. SN 25615. CONDITION: Exceedingly fine. The revolver retains 96-98% strong bright original silver plating with minor flaking on the cylinder, front and backstraps have some minor pimpling on the bottom of the frame. The extraordinary grips have lots of fire with one age line on the left side and are near perfect. The bore is bright and shiny with some minor scuffing in the grooves. The exterior of the case, with one or two small grain checks, retains most of its fine patinated original finish. One small ivory keeper on the back of the box is broken and another on the front is chipped, otherwise the ivory is all intact and has a beautiful mellow color. The interior is lightly faded with wear impressions under the gun and in the lid. The empty cartridge box is very fine, slightly soiled with a rub spot on the label, not affecting the lettering; all of the lettering is completely legible. The marbled green and black band is almost completely intact with one minor loss. A really fine box. . 4-49445 (40,000-60,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2003 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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