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capn. kirk: ye olde S&W ID, history,&value???

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5 comments

  • mrmike08075
    the cylinder is non-fluted. i had not considered it to be that old. any info on this gun is greatly desired. i am not an S&W eficianado, and can not find this gun in my referance books. i call upon all GB forum experts for assistance. all info on the gun, its value, or the history of ROLLIN WHITE would be great. does anybody out there know???

    What other dungeon is so dark as ones own heart, what jailer so inexorable as ones own mind.
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  • queeksdraw
    Mr.Mike I am a S&W nut and I have found if you call S&W directly they will put you to some one that will help you identify your gun,I hope it is not inapropriate to say so in this forum, without saying his name you may have heard of him he is the Smith historyian, some of these guns are worth thousands of dollars. Your ser. # puts it in the 6th variation of the model #1 if that is actualy what you have. These guns are faked a lot because of there value. in my experiance if somthing is to good to be true it useualy is. Good Luck
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    Interesting....Been a while since I had one of these in my hand...so to speak...What I'll do is give you some History and probably repeat myself a few times...but be patient and enjoy my efforts...White, Rollin Arms Company--This Company was formed by tghe inventer of the Modern cartridge revolver in 1849..
    Rollin White Arms Company, Lowell, Massachusetts, Single Shot Pocket Pistol. Made c. 1860s Total quantity is estimated at 3,000.
    Then comes along your Little Gun...
    Rollin White Arms Company, Lowell, Mass, Pocket Revolver, Made c.1860's. Total Quantity {again an Estimate} about 10,000... came in a.22 caliber rimfire Seven-Shot 3 1/8" octagon barrel, Brass spur trigger frame with silver plated finish; barrel and cylinder blued. Walnut Grips; square butt.
    Barrel markings: MADE FOR SMITH & WESSON BY ROLLIN WHITE ARMS CO., LOWELL, MASS. or merely ROLLIN WHITE ARMS CO. LOWELL, MASS or LOWELL ARMS CO., LOWELL, MASS. {observe the slight differance between the way the company markings are}...The Rollin White Arms ompany was formed by Rollin White in 1861 to manufacture revolvers to meet the demand which Smith & Wesson could not fill during the Civil War. Thier entire production was marketed by Smith & Wesson through thier Normal dealers. The firm name was changed to Lowell Arms Company in 1864, Rollin White's association was terminated with a new management installed. Approximatly 5000 revolvers were made by the Rollin White Arms Company with the balance of 5,000 more made by Lowell Arms Company c. 1864-1865. Although values are about identical S&W $350.00 in Good condition...collectors may pay a primium for those bearing the S&W mark.
    The Varient Model with an Ejector and loading gate will be worth about Double of the Former..$700.00....Hope this helps you...Best....


    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
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  • Xracer
    MrMike....Sounds like you have a nice piece of American gun history there. If you're a gun history nut (like I am), here's some interesting reading:

    http://www.midwestgunshows.com/rollins.htm
    http://www.riverjunction.com/kirst/history.html
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  • mrmike08075
    1. thanx everybody!!! thanx, thanx, thanx!!!
    2. when i visit the S&W web site who do i ask for???
    3. will S&W provide a factory/history letter for this gun?
    4. should this piece be restored, or left alone???
    5. who would be a good restorer?
    6. if the finish is silver, should i care for the gun in a differant manner then one plated in nickel or chrome?
    7. are there a lot of pre-civil war self contained mettalic cartridge revolvers left in circulation(on the market)?
    8. will a factory letter/history increase the value(as an accompanying document)?
    9. would anybody here like to see pictures?
    10. what referance books should i look for to provide me with information for my records?

    i try, occaisionaly, to provide information or my opinion as related to questions on GB. i like to think i am helpful. it is responses like these that bring me back to GB on a regular basis. you guys and gals are the greatest!!!i could not have expected a more thourough response, in a shorter amount of time.

    What other dungeon is so dark as ones own heart, what jailer so inexorable as ones own mind.

    Edited by - mrmike08075 on 11/10/2002 15:13:31

    Edited by - mrmike08075 on 11/10/2002 15:14:29
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