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10-25-2021, 08:39 PM
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Smith and Wesson Revenue Cutter .38 1899/1902
Hello, I’m trying to find out if anyone knows of any other Revenue Cutter model 1899/1902 contracts out there, they are from serial number range 20,752 to 20,801. They have military walnut grips. They made only 50 guns. They are serial numbered in the 1899 range but are a 1902 configuration.
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19leben, Absalom, desi2358, DGT, fdover, firemanhank, Guero, handejector, j38, jaguargolf, Muley Gil, quinn, Skeptic 9c, SS336, The Gila Bender, Wiregrassguy |
10-25-2021, 09:27 PM
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10-25-2021, 09:45 PM
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See page 161 of SCSW 4th edition.
Is it chambered for .38 Long Colt? (won't chamber a .38 Special).
If so, it's likely a U.S. Cutter Service. Wow!
I have both 1899's (Army and Navy) and the 1902 (Navy) Military, (each one of a thousand) but you have a unicorn for sure!
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Last edited by cgt4570; 10-25-2021 at 09:47 PM.
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10-25-2021, 09:49 PM
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Let's clear up the serial number first. Serial numbers for directly evolving models of S&Ws are often intermingled. The gun itself determines what model it is, not the serial number. So, your gun is a Model 1902, NOT an 1899/1902. 
Another point- although the various military contract 1899s and 1902s had wood stocks, wood stocks are not necessarily "military". They were an available option from the earliest days of the M&Ps. They are less common than the black hard rubber, but they are seen.
I have only seen one other RCS M&P, and that was years ago.
Do you have a letter on it? If not, you should certainly get one.
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10-26-2021, 11:53 AM
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I have never heard of a “Revenue Cutter” .38.
Would anyone elaborate on it? Tell the story? I’m pretty sure there are others that would like to know too. Thanks.
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10-26-2021, 12:14 PM
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10-26-2021, 12:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SS336
I have never heard of a “Revenue Cutter” .38.
Would anyone elaborate on it? Tell the story? I’m pretty sure there are others that would like to know too. Thanks.
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The Revenue Cutter Service was the predecessor of the Coast Guard before 1915. It goes back to post-Revolutionary days and, as the name says, was mostly engaged in fighting smugglers who tried to deprive the Treasury of revenue.
As an armed service, the cutters carried small arms for boarding operations. Best known is a batch of New Model No. 3 single action S&W’s from the 1890s. The later .38 hand ejectors are fewer in number and less well known.
And that’s all I know.
Last edited by Absalom; 10-26-2021 at 12:30 PM.
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10-26-2021, 01:05 PM
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Thanks for the answers. Makes more sense to me now. 😊
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10-26-2021, 07:56 PM
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Nice revolver. When the moratorium on factory letters is up, I need to get my 52-1 and pre-Victory M&P lettered.
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10-27-2021, 05:47 PM
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There was an article many years back, either in Man At Arms or the S&W Collector's Association Journal about the Revenue Cutter marked guns. I believe the author had lettered a gun and the shipping information said "Rev. Cutter".
Initially the mystery was who was this "Reverend Cutter" person ? Then someone figured out that it wasn't for a gun toting minister but it signified the Revenue Cutter service.
Perhaps a member has a copy ?
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10-27-2021, 05:56 PM
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Perhaps this gun could be referred to as a "pre Coast Guard model" ?
Ouch! Maybe my humor can avoid a ding?
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10-27-2021, 06:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AKtinman
Perhaps this gun could be referred to as a "pre Coast Guard model" ?
Ouch! Maybe my humor can avoid a ding? |
Boooo...Hisssss...  ...Ben
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10-27-2021, 08:52 PM
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11-24-2021, 12:38 AM
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Smith and Wesson revenue cutter .38 special
Hello, my smith and Wesson Revenue Cutter has been verified as being 1 of 50 made 1899/1902 and is mentioned in the Standard Catalogue of Smith & Wesson 4th Edition on page 161. It is considered a military contract it is now listed on Legacy Collectibles and after research it is believed to be the last known one to exist and they are posting a video on YouTube on the gun soon and the gun can be viewed now on Legacy Collectibles now.
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11-24-2021, 12:43 AM
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Smith and Wesson Revenue Cutter .38 special
Here is the paragraph from the Smith & Wesson Standard Catalog 4th edition.
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11-24-2021, 06:54 AM
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What a nice little slice of history...  ...Ben
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