Photo #1 - The Remington-Smoot No. 2 revolver identified by the Sweetwater County Historical Museum

(Sweetwater County, Wyo. - March 4, 2023)    A frontier-era pocket pistol was researched this week through the Sweetwater County Historical Museum’s Vintage Firearms Research Program.

The research request came from a man living in London, Ontario, in Canada. Museum staff identified the handgun as a nickel-finished, single-action  Remington-Smoot No. 2 revolver, a five-shot chambered for the .30-caliber rimfire cartridge. (William Sydney Smoot, the No. 2's designer, received many firearms patents over the years. He served with the Union Army during the Civil War with the 1^st Maryland Infantry, and was later assigned as an ordnance officer at the Springfield Armory. He resigned his commission in 1870 and began work at Remington not long afterward.) Pocket pistols, including small revolvers like the Remington-Smoot and derringers, were highly popular. Though not powerful, they were light and readily concealed.

About 3,000 No. 2s were manufactured between 1877 and 1885.

People with a vintage firearm (or firearms) who would like to learn more about them are encouraged to contact the museum at (307) 872-6435 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There is no charge for the  service.

The Sweetwater County Historical Museum is located at 3 E. Flaming Gorge Way in Green River. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and admission is free.