The barrel was discovered by Smith & Wesson Historian Roy Jinks in the hands of the Wesson family. The frame was part of the famous John Otteman Collection of Old Army No. 2s auctioned by Butterfields in February 2001. Mr. Otteman was well known in the world of Smith & Wesson collecting, and his collection of No. 2s was regarded as the finest ever assembled. A documenting letter written by Roy Jinks on April 12, 2002, accompanies the frame.

Models such as these are exceedingly rare. They were used as an exact standard for the machinists on the factory floor. The machining marks of the model maker attest to the precision required in the making of these. Several Colt models of the 19th century, similarly marked M, are on display at the Autry Museum in Los Angeles.

The barrel is marked M on the left side of the lug and M over S&W on the right side of the lug. No barrel address, sight, or extractor pin are present. The frame is marked Model 1869 on the left side of the buttstrap. Both are in the white and in remarkable condition.