Arthur Grant 1/2 Scale Smith & Wesson Second Model Spur Trigger Revolver Engraved & Gold Inlaid By Roger Sampson In Book Casing By Kim Batchelor

This is a 1/2 scale Smith & Wesson second model .32 rimfire revolver made by Arthur Grant.  To the best of my knowledge, this is the only miniature he ever completed, though I do have parts of several projects he never finished before his passing.  Mr. Grants work is top notch & he was obviously a master craftsman.  4 5/16″ long overall with a 2 3/8″ octagon barrel of about .120 caliber.  Brass front sight, “V” notch rear sight.  The top of the barrel marked “SMITH & WESSONSPRINGFIELD MASS”.   The bottom of the grip with the serial # “101”.  Beautifully engraved & gold inlaid by master engraver Roger Sampson with about 75% coverage in Nimschke style tight floral scrolls with gold wire line borders.  There is a gold inlaid Federal American eagle with shield inlaid into the frame on the left side & decorative scrolls gold wire inlaid into the frame on the right.  Roger signed the piece on the right front of the top strap just behind the hinge pin, (very small).  The balance of the revolver finished in a beautiful “blue” blue by noted firearms craftsman Terry Farrand.  Two piece rosewood grips with brass escutcheons and a single blue screw entering from the left side.  Includes a beautiful book style casing by Kim Batcheller in brown pebble grain leather with a hubbed spine.  The title inlaid in gold leaf on the spine “II”, “SMITH & WESSON”.  The interior bottom French fit & lined in a blue velour.  The book edges & interior lid are white paper.  Also includes six solid brass dummy cartridges, the bullets treated to look like lead contained in a rectangular compartment in the case interior with a removable purple velour covered lid.  My words & photos truly cannot cannot capture the beauty of this piece, it really needs to be seen “in hand” with some magnification to understand!  This exact miniature featured in the book, “The Art of Miniature Firearms, Centuries of Craftsmanship” on pages 206 & 207.  Beautiful near mint condition cosmetically, but the cylinder will not index properly.  If you partially pull the hammer back & rotate the cylinder a little, the cylinder will continue to index, but will not otherwise.  Still a beautifully piece of some of Roger Sampson’s best engraving, and probably priced far less that what Roger originally charged to do the engraving & gold inlays.  Priced accordingly & sold “AS – IS”.  Ex Frank Brownell collection.  Price:  $4,250.00.