Hello all this is my first post so I hope i don't botch it too badly, this is one of the few things I was able to save from the estate sale when my grandmother passed last spring. I believe the story goes that it was one of his sidearms used in the war.
Since then it looks like he or possibly his local smith did a relatively poor barrel job(looks like they just hacked its original one down to 2in) and replaced the grips with these after market franzite's.
I've been told its pre 46, I've been told early 1900's, but I will leave this one in the hands of the experts here. On the underside of the barrel, rear of the cylinder, under the star extractor, and on the butt the SN is 2499, but on the cylinder arm and the cylinder frame it reads 2523. I will try to post pics here later, I don't care at all about value as I would never sell this one, but its become an obsession trying to find out its age. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr229/quazzimofo/
http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr229/quazzimofo/
http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr229/quazzimofo/
http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr229/quazzimofo/http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr229/quazzimofo/

Hello all this is my first post so I hope i don't botch it too badly, this is one of the few things I was able to save from the estate sale when my grandmother passed last spring. I believe the story goes that it was one of his sidearms used in the war.
Since then it looks like he or possibly his local smith did a relatively poor barrel job(looks like they just hacked its original one down to 2in) and replaced the grips with these after market franzite's.
I've been told its pre 46, I've been told early 1900's, but I will leave this one in the hands of the experts here. On the underside of the barrel, rear of the cylinder, under the star extractor, and on the butt the SN is 2499, but on the cylinder arm and the cylinder frame it reads 2523. I will try to post pics here later, I don't care at all about value as I would never sell this one, but its become an obsession trying to find out its age. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr229/quazzimofo/
http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr229/quazzimofo/
http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr229/quazzimofo/
http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr229/quazzimofo/http://s486.photobucket.com/albums/rr229/quazzimofo/

Welcome to the Forum.

We need a bit more info please. What are the markings on the barrel and on the frame? Is it a 5 shot or 6? Does the cylinder swing out to the side or does it swing down?

You will need to use a photo hosting site to post pictures. I have had great luck with photobucket.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

First, welcome to the forum.

In the places you mentioned, that will be the serial number.

It could be a number of different models though. Could you give us some more info, or post pictures?

Q

IF the gun is a 38 special, then 2499 would make it an early model of 1899.
And, if so, then it would be a round butt frame, and there should be some
remanent of roll markings on the side of the barrel, as well as something
on the top of the barrel.

From your comments, this is my guess. I assume it is not a top-break, but
rather a side-swing revolver, otherwise known as a hand ejector. The grips
would probably be black hard rubber, although walnut, pearl, and ivory were
also available.

If the gun does not chamber a 38 special, then maybe its a 32 Long. As others
have noted, pictures would be a big help, but you can measure the diameters of
the charge holes in the cylinder, and that would be a big help.

If it is a model of 1899, then the end of the extractor rod would be a
solid knurled nob, that while tight, can be unscrewed from the rest of the rod.

If you want to deal with the cut barrel, there are 1899 barrels available,
or a later barrel can be converted to fit a 1899 frame. Not cheap, but
certainly doable.

If you do have a picture or two, and are having trouble posting them, email
them to me, and I will post them.

Later, Mike Priwer [email protected]

Here are the pictures. The third picture shows the gun to be a round butt, with some kind of
stocks that convert the round butt to square butt. The view of the left side of the gun shows a
pin-end in the lower central part of the frame; that should be the stud for the early levering
rebound mechanism for the trigger. I think the barrel has been cut right at the end of its
flat area (on the underside). Some other front sight has been attached, and the hammer has been
bobbed. And then the knurled extractor-rod end has been replaced with what looks like a screw.
On that third picture, you can also see the levering-rebound spring, pinned into the front gripstrap.

I hope I did it right


muley ..... no markings on the barrel as i believe they've been lopped off . . . its a six shot ... and looking from the rear the cylinder swings down to the side on the left.



Mike....
it is def a 38 spl have a lil 38spl +p ammo, federal loads that I have used shame i didn't know at the time it was antique but did save 12 rounds of it..

It's not a top break and the end of the extractor rod is just a screw same diameter as the rod ...no nob at all

Couple more pictures :

quazzimofo,

Mike Priwer knows a great deal about this model S&W. Due to the modifications to the hammer, barrel, front sight, etc, it has very little value as a collector's item. However, as a family heirloom, it is priceless..

I would shoot it seldom, as it was built back before S&W approved the use of smokeless powder loadings. I would stick with midrange wadcutter loads.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Thanks a bunch guys, you rock I've learned lots and greatly appreciate the help with the pictures Mike

I only take it to the range once in a blue moon and only put half a dozen rounds thru it, just enough to need to clean it well, and I reload low grade loads to put through it.

I will start using wad cutters and reloading those. as I said before I'm not really concerned about value I was pretty sure it was not a collector item with all the "stuff" done to it.

my next question is since its only valuable as a family heirloom is it possible to get it refinished, loose the ****** front sight (cause it really doesn't work anyway)and replace it.

if so where do i take it or send it off to I wouldn't want just any ol smith doin the work it would need to be done properly. I have a slight problem taking a gun into someone to have work done when they cant even tell me when it was made

please forgive my ignorance here this is my first 100 year old gun

thanks again

If I were going to do anything, I would start with getting a factory letter, to see
how the gun was shipped. Original barrel length, and finish, are what I would be looking
for. That is what I would get it restored to. Its probably going to cost more that the
gun will be worth, even after getting the work done. You need to be aware of that.

Then, knowing what you want to do, send it to Dave Chicoine. He is OldWestGunSmith
on the internet, and he and Dave Jr are about the best for getting a gun back together.
Parts are hard to find, like the right hammer, but it can be done.

You can also just send him the gun, explaining what you might want done, and let them
propose some alternatives. I don't think its necessary to do a "restoration", but it
would be nice to get at least a 4" barrel on it, and the right hammer, and probably
refinish it in blue, which is what I think it was.

Regards, Mike Priwer

Hi Quazzi,

That's an awesome gun. I love my 1899 and wouldn't trade or sell it for anything either. In your case, you have the added benefit of it being your grandfather's. If I were you I would keep it just the way grandpa left it, in spite of the heavy modifications. Bringing it back to its original look would be impractical and very difficult anyway. For example, mine is missing the extractor endpiece as well and I haven't found any leads on a replacement yet. Even though mine is not a gorgeous gun and yours is not 100% original, both are still 1899s and that is pretty neat in itself since so few were made and even fewer survive today.

I hope you are able to get a letter on it in the near future. I have not lettered mine yet. I may get mine refinished after I letter it. Right now the nickel is nothing pretty to look at, but it is original. The finish on yours appears re-nickeled (the trigger and hammer would have been case-hardened originally), but that doesn't necessarily mean it wasn't nickel originally. Hopefully the letter would tell you the original finish.

Again, congrats on having a classic. By the way, I regularly shoot mine with either cowboy loads or light handloads. I do so cautiously, of course, but there has never been a hint of a problem at such low pressures. Best to you.

I think I will letter it then and at least refinish it to its original finish. hey I cant just let it rust away right!!!


That's an awesome gun.
thanks classics&w I think I will leave grandpas gun the way he had it aside from its finish not because it would cost too much or be too hard but cause thats how he had it. I appreciate everyones feedback thanks again

I'm with Classic, I wouldn't change it too much. That front sight is so ugly it's almost appealing.
I think, were it mine, I would lose the white plastic grips and find a set of RB hard rubber or pearls for it.

__________________
Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

I agree with Dean! It was your grand Pops and that's how he may have wanted it, Why change it?
I would tuck those unusual grips away somewhere flat and put a set of RB grips on it and shoot the Wadcutters.
If you care for it, It will still be here when we are using ray guns.
Peter.

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Need 1/2 moon Chiefs special