[jos2f]

What is the story on "Bradford Arms"?
I'm looking at a gun that was supposedly mass produced by Smith and Wesson in the 1880's but the gun itself is labeled Bradford Arms. I can't find anything about Bradford, so is it believable this is really a S&W piece?

http://s720.photobucket.com/albums/ww209/jos2f/?action=view&current=6200585.jpg Picture of gun


Other markings are an S with a * beside it on the barrel, and the side of the trigger has the number 23 stamp in it

[Jim Watson]

No.
That is not a Smith & Wesson with somebody else's name on it. There are numerous detail differences from a Smith & Wesson. Smith & Wesson were proud of their products and put their trademark on them. In the absense of specific information about Bradford Arms and with no mention of proper proof marks, I conclude it is probably a Spanish copy.
But you need a real expert on copies, infringements, and evasions to be sure.

[Ron James]

Smith and Wesson never made mass produced trade name pistols. There were some pistols made that read " made under licence of Smith and Wesson" or similar because of patent infringment But Bradford does not come to mind nor can I find any reference to the name.

[Jim K]

In the absence of proof marks, I agree it is likely Spanish. At that general time, Spanish proof was haphazard. Other possibilities are Belgium and England, but in either case there would certainly be the appropriate proof marks.

Jim