Smith and Wesson .32 Caliber Single-Action Revolver, serial no. 17156
1881–1902
Medium
Steel, silver, copper-platinum-iron alloy, nickel
Dimensions
L. 7 in. (17.8 cm); L. of barrel 3 in. (7.6 cm); Cal. .32 in. (8.1 mm); Wt. 15 oz. (438 g)
Classification
Firearms-Pistols-Revolvers
Culture
American, Springfield, Massachusetts and New York
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Gerald Klaz, M.D., Trustee - The Gerald Klaz Trust, 2003
Accession Number
2003.546.1
Art Historical Context
This exquisite Smith & Wesson . Caliber Single-Actionvolver (serial no. 17156), crafted between 1881 and1902, exemplifies the pinnacle of American firearms artistry. Produced by the renowned Smith & Wesson in, Massachusetts, and adorned by Tiffany & Co. in New, it blends industrial precision with luxurious embellishment. At just 7 inches long with 3-inch barrel and a mere 15 ounces, this .32-caliber pocket revolver was designed for concealed carry, reflecting the era's growing demand for personal defense amid urbanization and the Wild West's fading frontier. The revolver's materials—steel, si...
About the Artist
Tiffany & Co.|Smith & Wesson · 1837–present
Tiffany & Co., founded on September 18, 1837, by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young in New York City as a stationery and fancy goods store, quickly evolved into a premier American house for jewelry and decorative arts. Under Charles's leadership, the firm introduced innovations like the sterling silver standard in 1851 and the iconic six-prong Tiffany Setting engagement ring in 1886, establis...