Just got my hands on a Model 1899 M&P. Been looking for one for years now. Serial number 9893 puts it shipping in 1901. Got info from a forum posting on another 1899. For it's age it is in very good shape. Only damage is on the right grip. Action is clean and locks up as tight as the design will allow. I now know why they added the extractor modification in 1902. Posted pics including the 1902 I have as well as the .32 cal Model 1896. I put snap caps in them to protect the firing pins. I just wanted to show them off.
38 HE M&P Model 1899
- Thread starter walkcubs
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The design of the 1899 will lock up as tight as a Model 1902/1905 if not worn. Manufacture and workmanship was so exacting, that tolerances were always near perfect when new.
The barrel lug lock added strength to the revolver, but extraction of spent cases remained the same. Once the cylinder was opened, just push on the rod knob. For me, the Model 1899 opens easier than the Model 1902. About the only difference that I notice with my 1899 is that the trigger pull feels heavier on the 1st Model, but of course, that could be spring tension.
Love to shoot the 1st Model and find them as accurate as the models that followed. It always amazes me that the first solid K & I frame models made by S&W functioned so flawlessly.
That's my experience as well. No lateral wiggle on mine. even without the forward lug. I have a postwar transitional with more slop.
My 1899's only oddity is it seems to like HBWC's or modern jacketed ammo better. (tighter groups)
You might try some hard lead, Maybe around 20 BHN. I have found that hard lead in these old M&Ps give improved performance over the softer stuff.
I found the problem with the crane. The ball bearing under the crane is wedged tight and clogged with dirt. I cleaned it out the best I could but I think it has been plugged too long and the spring may be compressed.
I was able to confirm all serial numbers match.
I was able to confirm all serial numbers match.
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It is a spring loaded pin, not a ball bearing. Soak it in Kroil and then work it a bit.
When you go to remove the pin and spring, put the gun in a large ziplock bag so, when the spring breaks free and launches itself and pin across the room, you capture them.
I researched this topic in this forum. Entries as far back as 2015 state that during the production of the 1899 hand ejector, many had either no caliber markings, the 1 liner simply saying "38 S&W Special CTG", or the 2 line stated above. The 1 liner started in 1901. When the 1902 hand ejector came out all barrels were marked with 2 lines. This remark only pertains to .38 caliber revolvers only. The 32-20 had their own rules.
Then there are the military models of 1899. The barrel was stamped "S&W 38 MIL". This model evidently only fired the .38 Long Colt which was approved for the military.
Then there are the military models of 1899. The barrel was stamped "S&W 38 MIL". This model evidently only fired the .38 Long Colt which was approved for the military.
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Then there are commercial revolvers with S&W 38 MIL, made up from leftover military contract no doubt. I have 17813 with a leftover military barrel. Wonder how many are out there. Of course, the barrel is the same as what was put on the 38 Specials.
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There's a thread aligning S/N with the various rollmarks. For example, my early commercial one has no caliber marks on the barrel at all.
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Mike's thread is below. Looking at it, barrel caliber stamping started around 7500 right at the turn of the Twentieth Century.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...9-serial-numbers-2.html?477150=#post140335211
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...9-serial-numbers-2.html?477150=#post140335211
The 1899's are neat old guns, and solidly built. I have shot the blued one, with light HBWC target loads and is satisfactorily accurate. I didn't want to strain a 120 year old gun.
You may notice something a little different, the Nickel one has a 4 line address! This was factory reconditioned in 1978, and all the roll marks were updated to the then current ones. Roy Jinks then stopped all updating of any roll marks after this was done, as it was altering a collectable revolver.
There is a thread here on the forum following the markings of 1899's for how many were or were not caliber marked.
You may notice something a little different, the Nickel one has a 4 line address! This was factory reconditioned in 1978, and all the roll marks were updated to the then current ones. Roy Jinks then stopped all updating of any roll marks after this was done, as it was altering a collectable revolver.
There is a thread here on the forum following the markings of 1899's for how many were or were not caliber marked.
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