Smith & Wesson .38 Hand Ejector Model of 1899

Marlin Smith Wesson · #1 05-01-2018, 10:06 AM

Greetings!
I just bought my first S&W. I am hoping you guys can tell me a little bit about it. Serial #34xx. Any idea of the year of production? It is a .38 S&W special correct? How would you rank the blueing? What is it's value? Thanks for looking!

glowe · #2 05-01-2018, 10:24 AM

Welcome to the Forum. You have what is also called a 38 Hand Ejector Military & Police, 1st Model that was actually made in 32 Winchester and 38 Special. The early ones in your serial number range were not barrel stamped with the caliber, so make sure what caliber you have?

Ship date would depend on which caliber you have. 38 would have shipped around 1900 and if 32 Winchester, it would have shipped a little later, maybe 1901. I would guess 20% bluing. as for value, these seem to be all over the board, especially in well worn condition. I have seen anywhere from $200 to $350 in condition similar to what your revolver condition shows.

Forgot to add that if you look at the front face of the cylinder, you will see either a thick wall or thin on the outer edge of the chambers. Also, the bore of a 38 would measure .357", while the 32 measures around .314".

Third revision are a couple of pictures of my shooters - 32 Winchester and 38 Special.

DWalt · #3 05-01-2018, 10:46 AM

I have on my list a Model of 1899 having SN 35xx which shipped in 6/1900. That one is in .38 Special. As noted, earlier first models in .38 Special (up to around SN 7500) had no barrel caliber stampings, while those chambered in .32-20 were always barrel stamped as ".32 Winchester." These are historic S&W revolvers, the first of the K-frame hand ejectors and the parent of over 7 Million K-frame revolvers made over the past 119 years. The usual references state that 20,975 in .38 Special and 5,311 in .32-20 were made until 1902, so they are not plentiful, especially considering that probably a large percentage of those made did not survive into the present time. You are fortunate that yours has its original extractor rod knob. They are often missing and are impossible to replace, although some replica knobs exist. While it is likely shootable with modern standard velocity ammunition, I would recommend that you do your shooting with a more modern .38 Special revolver. A broken part will be very difficult to repair as there are no replacements. I won't speculate on value, but I do believe the amounts previously given are conservative. Any serious S&W revolver collector will want at least one 1899 in his collection, even if it is cosmetically challenged as yours is.

H Richard · #4 05-01-2018, 12:42 PM

This one is # 8636, and is marked 38 Special Ctg on the left side of the barrel. It shipped Jan. 1901.

walter o · #5 05-01-2018, 05:38 PM

I just picked this one up last week at a local show

last year of production

Marlin Smith Wesson · #6 05-02-2018, 08:03 AM

Thanks a bunch! The information is very helpful and thanks for welcoming me to the forum! I guess the thing to remember is condition, condition, condition! I should have asked here first to see everyone's thoughts on the gun. I realized it was worn but thought given its age, the fact I couldn't find hardly any online and the gun feels right enough to shoot I thought I would jump on it. Feel free to hazard a guess on a price! I know it's only worth what someone will pay!

glowe · #7 05-02-2018, 09:19 AM

They are not rare and lots of them seem to be coming up for sale over the last couple of years. Just over 20,000 38 HE, 1st were made and my guess is that the survival rate is very high. I shoot several 1899s quite regularly and they still work flawlessly. It is hard to give an accurate answer of percent finish without an in-person look.

Guns are graded pretty much by how much finish remains. the Standard Catalog of S&W, 4th Edition states a 40% finish gun is Very Good, a 30% gun is Good, and less than that is Fair. Prices for these ranges are VG - $600; G $400; F $250.

I can't really guess at what you paid, but if at a Gun Show, you could probably not get one out the door for less than $450 in any condition. The prices I estimated were low finish examples sold through gun auctions (not GB). In hand inspection could put your range of value from $250 to $500.

For comparison, I picked this 4" 1899 up at auction earlier this year for $550. Serial number 776. I already had a box, so have been looking for the gun to go in it . . . I think that is backwards?? I tried on a set of walnut stocks for the box picture - think they look good.

mikepriwer · #8 05-02-2018, 12:15 PM

Marlin

May I have the full serial number, and confirmation as to whether or not the left side of the barrel has a caliber roll marking? This is for the study of caliber roll markings on 1899 revolvers.

Walter

The serial number appears to be 20289 on your gun. Does it have the caliber roll marking on the left side of the barrel ?

Thanks, Mike Priwer

walter o · #9 05-03-2018, 08:27 PM

mike, yes it has 38 S&W special ctg. on the left side of barrel

DEL56 · #10 02-07-2020, 02:05 PM

I have one that is close to your serial #. Mine is 344?. It also has a 4 inch barrel.

glowe · #11 02-07-2020, 06:43 PM

Another Zombie thread??

ZACODOM7.62 · #12 12-23-2020, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walter o

I just picked this one up last week at a local show

last year of production

My revolver is serial 10630 Smigh&Wesson trade marked on right hand side then 38 s&w spdcisl ctg on left side of barrel , 6 shots
5" barrel round bottom grip.

merl67 · #13 12-23-2020, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZACODOM7.62

My revolver is serial 10630 Smigh&Wesson trade marked on right hand side then 38 s&w spdcisl ctg on left side of barrel , 6 shots
5" barrel round bottom grip.

Welcome to the forum yours is the same model a 1899 Military & Police probably shipped in that year
It would serve you better to start a new thread instead of replying to an old one.

Modified · #14 12-23-2020, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glowe

Another Zombie thread??

There are no zombie threads here, only happy reminders that this forum is full of fantastic information which can't be repressed!

glowe · #15 12-23-2020, 06:00 PM

It is so much better to start new threads when inquiring about a new gun. Threads are meant to be specific to the OP's gun unless the OP is asking for a picture thread.