It's amazing how much more beat up the Navy 1899's got versus the Army......it suppose it's true that they Navy threw them all in a barrel and they got tumbled around between uses.
I've only owned several 1899 Army / 1899 Navy / 1902 Navy, now only have one of each, currently but have seen many over the years. The 3 I have now came from Dr. Parker of Perry, FL about 25 years ago.
There was one more 1899 Army that had gone back to the factory for a new barrel but the factory stamped the barrel SN: 1899 which was NOT the serial number but rather the year 1899 stamped on the butt. I figure some assistant machinist or over-worked laborer or intoxicated laborer stamped the number from the year 1899 on the butt and not the actual serial number.
I sent that one out for auction a few years later. If anyone has this one, log in and update me on it.
Almost all of them are of similar condition, like 85-90% blue coverage but very lightly "dinged" all over as if a lanyard chain had slapped them ... or (as you say) ... were stored in a barrel between uses or wars.
Remember, these ALL went into service !
I've seen very few in better condition and would look even closer for a refinish if it were "too" nice (unless it came from Roy's collection).
With only 1000 of each, total 3000, and now 115 to 118 years old, those conditions are pretty nice.
