1899

S & W 1899 · #1 03-26-2009, 05:13 PM

I have found a S & W 1899 in 38 long colt. It has "US ARMY 1899" on the butt and the serial number is 15XX. It is in 85% original condition. What is this 6' revolver worth?

S & W 1899 · #2 03-26-2009, 05:13 PM

I have found a S & W 1899 in 38 long colt. It has "US ARMY 1899" on the butt and the serial number is 15XX. It is in 85% original condition. What is this 6' revolver worth?

mikepriwer · #3 03-26-2009, 06:04 PM

I'm not sure what you have found. There was a Army contract for the 1899's,
but the serial numbers are 13001 to 14000 ; 1000 guns. I don't think these
guns had the butt stamping that you describe.

Where did you get the serial number of 15XX ? Was it stamped on the front
lower grip strap, or also on the butt, or in the crane area ?

I think the first thing to do is check on the rear face of the cylinder, and
on the flat under the barrel. The stamping will be very fine, and perhaps
faint, but the serial number should be there. Also, give us the full serial
number. We might be able to be of more help, if we have that.

Later, Mike Priwer

pace40 · #4 03-26-2009, 06:14 PM

Mr Priwer is correct about the serial number range. The marking on the butt should be....

opoefc · #5 03-27-2009, 12:45 PM

Pace & Mike, Maybe the gentleman is looking at the assembly number and not the serial number? Ed.

pace40 · #6 03-27-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by opoefc:
Pace & Mike, Maybe the gentleman is looking at the assembly number and not the serial number? Ed.

Could very well be, Ed. If Mike gets an answer to his questions, we'll know. I'm also curious where the caliber came from. Can only assume OP knows something about this period because the gun should be marked "S&W 38 MIL" not 38 LC.

mikepriwer · #7 03-27-2009, 03:46 PM

M G

No reason or rhyme. I often think they rolled the dice a few times, and
took whatever digits they wanted to. As far as I know, no one has ever commented
on the meaning of these assembly numbers.

Ed

That's why I asked the question the way I did. If the number came from the
crane area, then its clearly the assembly number.

Later, Mike Priwer

NORWICH CADET · #8 03-27-2009, 07:14 PM

The serial number will also appear on the grip. Junior member may in fact be mixing up the assembly number with the SN. But to help answer his question , if it is the proper SN range and 80% and all correct, I would guess value at say $1200. But I would like to see additional pictures.

opoefc · #9 03-29-2009, 12:16 PM

The gov't contract for these guns specified caliber .38 Long Colt. S&W marked them "S&W .38 Mil" as they did not like to put the four letter word "C**t" on their guns. Civilian models were marked "S&W .38 Special Ctg" and "US Service Ctg" , however many of the early civilan Model 1899s had no caliber marking whatsoever on the barrels.