Wow, can't believe the condition of this gun. Ser #6xxx
Trying to determine the value of it. appears to be origional nickel plate, all letters and patients very clear. Has a bone grip, other than that all origional. How do I contact Smith and Wesson to get history on it and is there a fee.

Almost mint condition. Didn't really know what I was trading for when I got it and now can't believe it and for its age is real nice. 5" barrell.

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	a smith 3.jpg (52.2 KB, 157 views)

Welcome to the forum.

That serial number almost certainly shipped in 1900, maybe early 1901. If you want a letter on that particular gun, it will set you back $50. Google "S&W Letter of Authenticity," and you will find a link to a request form. The letter would give you not only the exact date on which it was shipped, but also the intended recipient (which is usually a distributor, agency or particular store rather than an individual). The letter won't tell you who had it after it was originally shipped.

I would think a high condition 1899 would be at least a $1000 gun, but I have been wrong on valuing M&Ps before. Others will be able to give you prices that are better informed. If it turns out the gun has been refinished (and a nicely refinished gun can be almost indistinguishable from an original), the collector value drops.

Pics? We love pics.

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David Wilson

Pictures will be a great help, in thinking about it. Also the barrel
length, and the sight configuration - which would be obvious from the
pictures. Post pictures from both sides.

Original-condition mint 1899's are about as scarce as hens teeth.
Almost all, in very high condition, have been refinished - particularly
nickel, because on these early guns, rust developes under the nickel.
Or, the nickel becomes cloudy.

Mike Priwer

Posted pictures, 5" Barrell. This thing is real nice, no rust or chipping. Would rate it 97% only because it has been fired but not much.

Definitely refinished. There was a period a few decades ago when S&W would refinish an old gun and mark the frame with the rollmarks that characterized new production. Your gun has the four line address block on the right side of the frame; that stamping did not come into being until 1948. Also that large trademark stamp on the sideplate is not what S&W used about 1900.

The grips look like Franzite to me; these were synthetic replacement stocks popular in the 1940s and 1950s.

Underneath the new finish and new stampings this is still a pretty good looking 1899. But it won't have the value of a totally original model.

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David Wilson

I posted a reply in your photo thread. A moderator may combine them.

Sorry to tell you that the gun has been refinished. Reasons why are in the thread with the pictures.

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David Wilson

What did you trade?

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Sure you did

Welcome to the Forum.

Is this revolver chambered in .38 or .32-20?

The grips look like Jay Scott stags to me.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

David

Big as life ! The service dep't couldn't have put a larger "refinished"
flag on it, even if they had wanted to ! Otherwise, they did a nice
job of refinishing. No dished screw holes, etc.

That 4-line trade-mark roll-marking definitely ruins the collector
value. Gun is probably $250 or so, to any knowledgeable collector,
if they would even want it. Without that, it might have been a
$400 to $600, or so, gun. 1899's are scarce, being as how there
were only 20,000 in .38 .

Mike Priwer

Muley

At 6xxx serial number, has to be a .38. 32-20's only ran to about
5300, or so - suppossedly !

Mike Priwer