1899 8" .38 Blue & Nickle Target Revolvers

[mikepriwer]

There are only four (4) 8" 1899 revolvers that are known, or thought to be known, to exist. The only one that, for sure, is an original 8" gun was special-ordered by Dr Reginald Sayre, a New York physician. He was also a very competitive shooter, and at least a three-time captain of US Olympic Shooting Teams in 1912, 1916,1920, etc. I had the good fortune to acquire this gun 10 or more years ago.

One that may have been original would have belonged to the shooter with the last name of Axtel. While this gun has never been seen, knowledgeable collectors believe it exists, and is perhaps with Axtel family members.

The third gun is a Zero gun, originally built with a 6.5" barrel in late 1899 or early 1900. It was taken by DB Wesson. Following his death in 1906, another entry in the Zero book shows the gun with a 8" barrel, in the possession of Charley Call.

The second gun was originally a 6.5" revolver, that I recently acquired. It went back to the factory in 1959, to have the barrel replaced with another 6.5" one, and possibly refinished in nickel. The records do not show how it was originally finished. Several years ago I acquired an 8" factory-original nickel barrel in new condition; it has never been mounted on a frame. I acquired this nickel gun so that I could use it for the 8" barrel. It is now mounted on this gun, and Jim Fisher graciously agreed to test-fire it, as he had already done with the Sayre gun about three (3) years ago.

Here are two targets that Jim shot with thee two guns. Jim notes that the nickel guns is the better shooter, with the 6-shot group able to be covered with a US nickel coin.






Regards, Mike Priwer

[BC38]

Mike, when it comes to these oldies, you are THE MAN.

[Troystat]

Nifty revolvers, and they shoot great too. Thanks for showing us.

[RKmesa]

Very cool...very, very cool...

Thanks for sharing,

[amazingflapjack]

Makes me think of a long tube 14.

[Peak53]

No words here, but I had to say something ��

[model3sw]

1899 M&P factory Target was by special order only. All 1899 Target models are coveted by collectors of same but that 8" barrel target is surely a sweet rarity. Thanks for the post. Sal

[mikepriwer]

I have some pictures of the nickel gun with its 8" barrel. Turns out that the original 6 1/2" barrel had a small crack in the forcing cone, that only became apparent when the barrel was removed.

These first two pictures are are 8" nickel 1899.





The next two picture show both the blue, and the nickle, 1899 8" revolvers.





Regards, Mike Priwer