image.jpg
This 38 S&W Special has no model number and s/n 186xx, about a 4 inch barrel, and pearl grips. Was wondering what model it is, year of mfg, and if ok to shoot standard loads.
Thanks!!

image.jpg
Other side

Welcome to the forum.

You've got an early Model 1899 Hand Ejector, the granddaddy of all K-frames. Produced likely around 1900/01.

Besides the very regrettable fact that someone mutilated the hammer, it looks all original in great shape, and even the MOP grips appear to be factory.

Yes, standard mild target loads are okay. The early cylinders weren't hardened, so stay away from hot stuff (although it won't blow up the gun either.)

Thanks for the info, any idea on value?

I might pay $300-$350 for that one. That has very little to do with the book value.

__________________
Psalm 27:2

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! I think the factory Pearls by themselves would be worth $200 to $300. Add on top of that about $400 to $450 for the gun and you could be up in this $600 to $700 range. Yep even with the bobbed hammer.

Guy

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

"Mutilated the hammer" may be a bit unfair. If someone bought a beautiful antique gun today and did that I agree - buy a modern gun with a spurless hammer. There are plenty.

But the gun may have been very young when that was done. I bought a Ruger 10/22, a classic gun. I changed the sights, trigger, barrel and stock. It is better now. Not for a collector. I hope guns are still legal in 100 years. I have all the original parts. But someone, kid, grandkid, great grandkid, will undoubtedly separate the gun from the parts. A collector in 2104 (100 years later) may complain that the gun was mutilated. I had my reasons. The trigger was too heavy and the aperture sights that I installed make it a lot more accurate. The barrel? Probably helps but not noticeably. The stock? Looks cool. My gun.

By the way that gun of yours is sweeeet! Bobbed hammer or no.

You may want to consider removing the pearl grips and installing something less valuable prior to shooting. great revolver.

Nice old gun! Beautiful grips.

Couldn't help myself ... rightside-upped the photos ...

I agree with the idea of installing other grips to shoot. Old pearl grips can crack from recoil. You can add plastic imitation pearl or a wrap-around rubber grip--whatever feels good in yr hand when shooting.

I don't know if y)ou'd want to spend $75 for a factory letter, but if you describe the gun in detail, 4" bbl, serial number & any other marks, etc, the letter could tell you whether the pearl grips came from the factory & if the hammer spur was removed by the factory. (S&W could do that on special order.) Can you cock the hammer by hand to stay back & fire single-action? I ask because sometimes the hammer is modified internally to fire double-action only. Be sure to mention in yr inquiry to the factory if this is the case, but I think that would be unusual on that 1899 model.

For future use, read the "sticky" on top of the forum category about identifying yr revolver. Also look at bottom of barrel & rear of cylinder to see if serial numbers match with the number on the butt._

I have never compared the two, but was the M1899 hammer different from the M1902 hammer? Not sure I would pay $75 for the letter, as it is fairly certain the MOP grips are factory. It doesn't make much difference if they are original to the revolver or not. MOP grips should be put away for safekeeping as they are a little delicate. I'd think yours probably shipped in the late 1901-early 1902 period based upon some reasonably nearby SNs on my list.

I love it - has a lot of character and the bobbed hammer is part of the history of it. you say inherited it - do you know any of the history of it?

NICE!

If those grips are as nice as they appear to be, they are easily worth $600. The early pearl K frame grips with the SMALL gold medallion are rare!

If I were selling that gun, I'd price it at $1000-1200, assuming the pearls are real nice and the gun is all original except for the bobbed hammer.

Cool old gun- somebody's "Pocket Roscoe".

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Well, yes, but would you be BUYING the gun for that much?

Maybe.
Show me a 4" with decent condition and some gorgeous FACTORY pearls with those small medallions and we'll see.
In my observation, the 4" may be the least common barrel length for the 1899.
I have seen exactly ONE other pair of Factory K frame pearls with the small gold medallions.
Show us your 4" Pearl.

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Buying that revolver for anything less than $750 would be highway robbery!!!! I sure am glad that most everybody else would have tapped out early if that gun were at auction.

I agree with Lee that you do not find many 4" 1899s. I have been lucky enough to find a couple in 38 Special and enjoy shooting them. The gold pearls make the gun and I think the OP should get the letter to prove that they belong on that particular 1899. It would add more than $75 to the value for me if I were bidding on the gun.

I have an image of an 1899 hammer, but do not have any 1902s to compare, so if anyone has a pic of the insides of a Model 1902, please post.

I assume that Ivory might have been available for special order, which would be very rare if even available on the 1899s, but round butt pearls would be rare. Next would be the round butt walnut stocks, while the majority of all produced would have had hard rubber. Both are shown below.

I forgot to add that the hammer on these revolvers were not serial numbered and I would look very hard for a replacement. It would greatly improve the value of the gun and that one deserves to be put back to original if possible. I know that someone on this Forum has a 1899 hammer and this is one deserving candidate for it. You can post in the Wanted to Buy Section of this Forum and see what happens?? Second option is to find an early Model 1905 hammer and have a welding expert replace the hammer spur. The right welder can do it and it will be invisible. I can supply a name via PM if needed.

Attached Images

	P1010004.jpg (127.4 KB, 14 views)
	P101002.jpg (125.0 KB, 14 views)

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515

Sometimes, I hate modifications made to an old gun, even when they were done long ago.
Sometimes, I don't hate them, but I'm not overly fond of them.
Sometimes, I hardly mind them at all.
Sometimes, I find them quite interesting.


This gun, assuming that hammer was bobbed long ago and not in the 1970s, falls into the latter category. The wear looks more like pocket carry than holster wear. I'd REALLY like to see more pics of the hammer up close from all angles, especially from the rear. Heck, I'd love to see more pics of the whole gun.
If I thought the hammer was bobbed a century or more ago, I'd just leave it alone. It would be a century plus effort to build a Pocket Rocket.
Cool!

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Therein lies the crux of the matter, doesn’t it?

If Cousin Joe did this or had it done 20 years ago, definitely vandalism.

On the other hand, show an old photo of Greatgrandpa with the bobbed-hammer gun in his belt, and it’s a customized artefact and unique heirloom, and selling the picture with the gun may actually increase the price you can get

To realize the higher values mentioned here, you’d have to be or find someone willing to take that on faith.

So you can have and keep both hammers - the best of both worlds.

__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515