Member mikepriwer is the local expert on these. Agree it is in exceptional condition for an 1899 (which I believe was named the .38 Military at the time, hoping for nice fat U.S. government contracts - some things never change!). These were numbered from 1-20975 so I would guess this one as a 1902 gun, perhaps even later as the model of 1902 arrived and depressed 1899 sales.
The left stock panel is not chipped, it was broken and glued together
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I 'might' be interested at the discounted price, but would also take it as a signal there is room for negotiation. Good luck on your decision.