This revolver is in very nice condition. It is a .22 with a 3-3/16 inch barrel. The barrel and the 7-shot cylinder are blued with a silver plated frame. The bluing is worn some but about 60% remains on the barrel and ejector, and about 90% on the cylinder. The barrel has a strong stamping that reads “SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS.” The cylinder is stamped with three patent dates of 1855, 1859 and 1860. The stamping is readable. The silver platting has worn off the edges and top of the frame revealing some of the brass underneath but approx. 80%-85% of the silver remains. The rosewood grips show light wear. The hammer does not hold at half-cock but does at full with the cylinder locking properly. Hammer falls properly when trigger is pressed. Revolver breaks down properly and swivels on upper hinge allowing easy removal of the cylinder. All goes back in place properly and locks as it should. The bore has strong lands and groves but is slightly dirty and needs cleaning. No visible signs of pitting in the bore. The bottom of the grips have serial number 69942 and is engraved with the name “T. E. LATHAM.”

With the revolver is an early 1900’s copy of two tintypes showing Thomas and Joseph Latham in uniform holding their cavalry sabers and possibly this pistol. Each brother is shown from the waist up wearing their forage cap and Cavalry shell jacket. In one hand they are holding a saber and in the other a Smith & Wesson revolver. The photos are mounted side by side on a piece of gray-green stock that meas. approx. 7.25 x 5.25. Written in pencil on the back is “THOMAS E. LATHAM, JOSEPH T. LATHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE 1861.” The images are clear with good contrast but there is a bit of surface dirt from age and storage. With the photo is a modern 8.00 x 10.00 inch enlargement.

Thomas Edward Latham was born in Dracut, Massachusetts on May 27, 1848. He was attending school in New Hampshire when he enlisted as a Private in Company A, 1^st New Hampshire Cavalry on March 10, 1864. He saw action at White Oak Swamp on June 13^th, Reams Station on June 22^nd, Nottoway Court House on June 23^rd, Weldon Railroad on June 25^th and Reams Station again on the 29^th. Latham was captured on June 30, 1864 during a fight for the Weldon Railroad. He was sent to prisons at Andersonville, Georgia, Florence and Charleston, South Carolina before being paroled on February 27, 1865. In one of his pension documents Latham talks of becoming ill in Andersonville and being amazed that he survived as he received no medical attention of any kind. He was finally mustered out May 25, 1865.

After the war Latham worked as a School teacher and traveled around living in Wisconsin, Texas, Central America, Mexico, Georgia, Florida and Alabama. He married in Texas in 1873 but the marriage dissolved in 1878. Thomas Latham died in Virginia on July 11, 1924.

With the item are Latham’s military and large pension records as well as a binder full of information on the 1^st New Hampshire Cavalry, Andersonville and other related topics.

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