S&W Model 2

[hsr]

I just got this Smith & Wesson Model 2 and thought I would show it off. Interestingly the Auction house listed it as serial number 14996, but to my eyes and as confirmed on the inside of the grip it looks to be 14986. Can anyone tell me its born on date? I sent for a factory letter, but that will take months.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/hsrifkin/1015_2.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/hsrifkin/media/1015_2.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/hsrifkin/1015_1.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/hsrifkin/media/1015_1.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/hsrifkin/1015_3.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/hsrifkin/media/1015_3.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/hsrifkin/DSC_2065.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/hsrifkin/media/DSC_2065.jpg.html)

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p224/hsrifkin/DSC_2066.jpg (http://s129.photobucket.com/user/hsrifkin/media/DSC_2066.jpg.html)

[Hefights]

Nice, maybe these could give you some idea.

http://www.model2project.com/

http://www.millbrook.ruraltel.net/smith2/smith2.htm

[hsr]

Based on some of the example in http://www.model2project.com/, it looks like late 1863.

thanks