S&W Tip Up Revolvers

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Does anyone shoot these, just for fun?   I know some were in .22 Short, and I just saw one on Gunbroker in .32 Short CF, so some of them are, at least theoretically, capable of being fired, even if they would not be suited for our game.  (Or maybe only as pocket pistols?)

I believe there was even a .44 tip up, but it was also a rimfire, so that's not really a viable shooter.

Personally, I find them to be at the very least, a visually interesting pistol.  I tend to doubt that there would be much of a market for a modern replica in a readily available caliber, (.32 &W, 38 S&W or .44 Russian?) but I'd be hard pressed to pass on one if such an animal were begin to exist.   (Me and, perhaps a dozen others!)  

With modern steel and perhaps some tweaks to the design to strengthen it, I am sure that replicas could be made in the aforementioned calibers, but I'll not be hold my breath.   Would anyone else be interested in such a gun?

[Abilene Slim SASS 81783]

Jack Nicholson as the Joker used one to shoot Bruce Wayne in the first Batman movie. 
 

[Hoss]

I’ve heard of them….

 

[Show Me]

Hoss  what is that small one upside down ??

[Hoss]

2 minutes ago, Show Me said:

Hoss  what is that small one upside down ??

A 4 shot 22. 

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

1 hour ago, Hoss said:

I’ve heard of them….

 

Really ... Which one is the Tip Up??

[Hoss]

3 minutes ago, Phantom, SASS #54973 said:

Really ... Which one is the Tip Up??

I missed the “up”.  I thought he was referring to pocket pistols in general. Excuse me for offending your sensibilities. 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Ah, that's, okay, Hoss.   In a way, I was referencing something that's probably somewhat obscure to most of us so it's understandable make the mistake.   I've got a few top breaks myself, from pockets to full size.    But no tip ups.   

I believe I remember John Carradine used one in Stagecoach, but I'd have to check...

Ah yes, according to the Internet Movie Firearms Database it's a Marlin 1875 tip up revolver.  Interesting the Marlin when that way after S&W abandoned it in favor of the stronger top break design.

 

[PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L]

Like this one? 
 

[Injun Ryder, SASS #36201L]

Here's my Model 1 2nd issue.

 

22 Short.

 

 

[Hoss]

Dad gum it guys, now I gotta find a

“tip UP” revolver to add to my collection! 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

That's a good looking .22.   Do you run CB Shorts in it?   Those are essentially not much more than the primer.  

Or is it simply retired?

I did look a little more into the .32 Centerfire one I found, but it was described as "not locking up tight" so I passed on it.  That, I know if it did lock up tight, would be a BP only gun.

[Injun Ryder, SASS #36201L]

19 minutes ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

That's a good looking .22.   Do you run CB Shorts in it?   Those are essentially not much more than the primer.  

Or is it simply retired?

 

I have not fired it. I am not familiar with CB shorts. Might have to look them up.

 

FYI - The overall length (from tip of grip to end of barrel) is only 7 inches.

[Randy Saint Eagle, SASS # 64903]

18 minutes ago, Injun Ryder, SASS #36201L said:

 

I have not fired it. I am not familiar with CB shorts. Might have to look them up.

 

FYI - The overall length (from tip of grip to end of barrel) is only 7 inches.

CB .22 short.

 

https://www.cci-ammunition.com/rimfire/cci/cb/6-26.html

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

4 hours ago, Hoss said:

I missed the “up”.  I thought he was referring to pocket pistols in general. Excuse me for offending your sensibilities. 

There's a difference between break tops/top breaks and tip ups.

 

Geeze...has nothing to do with "sensibilities".

 

Phantom

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

3 hours ago, Hoss said:

Dad gum it guys, now I gotta find a

“tip UP” revolver to add to my collection! 

Why not attack them???

 

Phantom

[Cholla]

One followed me home a couple of years ago. One of these days, I will order the S&W letter to see if the pearl grips are factory. I shot mine a few times using a kit made by a fellow on GB using rimfire power loads.

[Hoss]

1 hour ago, Cholla said:

One followed me home a couple of years ago. One of these days, I will order the S&W letter to see if the pearl grips are factory. I shot mine a few times using a kit made by a fellow on GB using rimfire power loads.

I have a .41 Rimfire Remington Derringer that uses the .22 blanks. Pain to load. I’ve only shot it a handful of times. 

[Cholla]

15 minutes ago, Hoss said:

I have a .41 Rimfire Remington Derringer that uses the .22 blanks. Pain to load. I’ve only shot it a handful of times. 

Yes, it didn't take long for the novelty to wear off. I would rather not think about the money and time I spent trying to make my own reloadable cases before throwing in the towel and buying the kit.

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

I shoot a few Topbrake revolvers. 

[Hoss]

1 hour ago, Rooster Ron Wayne said:

I shoot a few Topbrake revolvers. 

They are fun to collect & shoot. I alway pictured mine belonging to a card sharp or the proprietress of a certain business known as the worlds oldest profession! 

[Trailrider #896]

On 12/8/2024 at 3:28 PM, Show Me said:

Hoss  what is that small one upside down ??

Can't tell from the photo, but if it is 4-shot, it might be a Sharps Four-Barrel, which doesn't tip up, but the barrels move forward as a unit to load. The firing pin rotates to strike the rimfire cartridge. Some were .22 short, and some .32 rf.

[Cholla]

2 hours ago, Trailrider #896 said:

Can't tell from the photo, but if it is 4-shot, it might be a Sharps Four-Barrel, which doesn't tip up, but the barrels move forward as a unit to load. The firing pin rotates to strike the rimfire cartridge. Some were .22 short, and some .32 rf.

My guess is it is one of the reproductions. I think Miroku offered a few some time back.

[Hoss]

3 hours ago, Trailrider #896 said:

Can't tell from the photo, but if it is 4-shot, it might be a Sharps Four-Barrel, which doesn't tip up, but the barrels move forward as a unit to load. The firing pin rotates to strike the rimfire cartridge. Some were .22 short, and some .32 rf.

Yes, 4 shot 22. 
we used to have a guy who claimed to be “worlds fastest derringer shooter”. I bought this gun with him in mind. At a side match, after shooting for score with my Bond, I challenged him to a 4 shot run. He accepted and went first. Did a decent job with the re-load. Grinned at me like a possum eating glue. I trotted out the 4 shot derringer. He went Ooomph!  Needless to say I won the challenge. It was worth it to just get one over on him, even if it was sorta cheating. 

[Will Kane]

11 hours ago, Hoss said:

Yes, 4 shot 22. 
we used to have a guy who claimed to be “worlds fastest derringer shooter”. I bought this gun with him in mind. At a side match, after shooting for score with my Bond, I challenged him to a 4 shot run. He accepted and went first. Did a decent job with the re-load. Grinned at me like a possum eating glue. I trotted out the 4 shot derringer. He went Ooomph!  Needless to say I won the challenge. It was worth it to just get one over on him, even if it was sorta cheating.