I purchased this S&W at a estate auction in 1968, in Beverly Hills CA. They were auctioning off a family friends firearms.

The photos are of the S&W that I won, with a bid of $47.50. It has been safe a queen since I got it. When I got home with it I cleaned it, and into the safe it went.

Since then I have taken out every 10 yrs, shot 6 rds of Winchester Western Match wad cutters, cleaned it and returned it to the safe.

I know that it has only been 6 yrs since it was last cleaned, but I took it out to show it to My best friend. Then we both put 6 rds thru it, and I cleaned it, and back in the safe it went.

Right now I'm 3 1/2 mo. into waiting to hear about it, from Roy Jinks at Smith & Wesson.

What do I have and what would You rate the condition at?

The bbl is 6 1/2 in long.


















Thank You for any information that you can provide Me.

Welcome to the forum. You are going to hear from a couple of people who would like to buy that interesting and valuable gun from you.

It is classified as a .38 Hand Ejector, first model (or Model of 1899). The fact that it has target sights rather than fixed sights makes it an uncommon variety of that early model, which was manufactured for only three years. But what really makes it interesting is the 0 prefix to the serial number. That is a designator for what are called "Club Guns," a class of firearm that S&W produced in small numbers and usually for specific individuals. If you search the term in the forum archives you will get some good information.

If you should decide to sell it, you can do a whole lot better than $47.50 plus a half-century of inflation. Roy's letter may have some very good and interesting information in it, including the name of the individual who received it. Keep your fingers crossed.

__________________
David Wilson

David is correct. Only thing I can add is it is very early, so I will "assume" it was built in 1899. Please keep us posted when you receive your letter. I just received one a week ago, and it was about 5 1/2 months.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

It is almost certainly a First Model manufactured in 1899. I have no SNs that low on my list, but I do show one having a SN slightly less than 2000 which shipped in September 1900. As noted, Model 1899s in target grade are rare. One can always spot a First Model by the lack of an under-barrel support lug for the extractor rod. K-frame collectors would line up like you'd see in front of Wal-Mart on Black Friday before the doors open to get a chance to buy it.

By the way, when you get the factory letter, please post it here so we can all find out more about it.

Wow! You really know how to start off with a bang (sorry for the pun)! Great first post. And welcome to the Forum!
I don't know that I have even ever seen a first year Model of 1899 Target revolver, let alone one with a 6 1/2" barrel and its original black rubber stocks. Very, very interesting. And nice.
I agree with the others! Please post a picture of the letter once you have it in hand. There may be some interesting shipping info on this one.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I just sent you a PM. I have the mate to your gun. Please call me.

__________________
Don Mundell

Well here I set, as nervous as a hooker in church, awaiting Mr. Roy Jinks response to My request for info about My 1899 38 Spl. Its hit the 5 month mark since My request for info was sent. Now all I can do is wait, with baited breath and check the PO Box every day.

What happened to the photos? OP can you fix the links? I'm late to the party but want to see the show nonetheless!

Curl

Try going here:

S/N 043 letter arrived

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318