Model 1899

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MrRexdale71

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Hey guys!
I could use a little help here.
I'm a long time SWCA member(1535).
I have my possession a Model of 1899 US Military Revolver. Caliber. 38 Long Colt.
The serial number is:13894.
It has all the correct markings for the Contract revolvers ordered by the US Army during that period,including inspection marks. Grips are serial numbered to the gun as well.
My issue is that there are no US Military markings on the butt like I have seen on all the others from this Contract Order
It does not look like the markings were ground off. The contours of the frame bottom are still perfect..
The hole for the lanyard is there.The pin for the lanyard is also present.The actual lanyard is not.
Is it possible this gun was a contract overrun?
(That might explain the lack of markings on the butt of the revolver.)
Thanks in advance for any help and advice.
Patrick
SWCA 1535
 
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Welcome to the forum. We like pictures! ;)
My 1899 (132xx) is a little ahead of yours. Here's pictures of the markings on my pistol which I believe to be correct. Do your grips look like these and is your barrel marked like this?

My reference says 1,000 US Army contract pistols were made with serial numbers 13001 to 14000. If that's accurate, I don't know how 13894 could be an overrun.

There are some experts on this forum who will probably be along. Again, I think pictures will prove helpful.

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Mine has the same markings.(Except for the grips.)
They are original as the serial number can been seen very faintly,written in pencil by someone over 120 years ago.
 

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Could have been a reject that did not receive the final butt-stampings? It could also have been altered from the original butt stampings, since it is not that hard to remove. It is not that uncommon for military arms to have the US stampings removed by an owner. Some thought that the stamps meant it was owned by the government or maybe it was when hidden in the duffle bag of a discharged soldier.

It does have the serial number on the front strap of the butt-frame and is the lanyard ring hole, but no ring? Does it have KSM on the barrel flat of the barrel and is the barrel stamped "S&W 38 MIL"? The stocks should have the year and the KSM logo in the top round. If you have a 38 Special round, try to chamber it in the cylinder?
 
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Thanks for your response,Gary.
Yes. It does have all the marks you mentioned. The stocks number to the revolver, yet do not have the "KSM" or "1901".
It won't chamber .38 Special. The round doesn't quite seat in the charge hole.
 
correct serial number...but wrong stocks??

My US Army Model 1899 is, I believe, the oldest surviving specimen at serial number 13030, making it the 29th gun made under the Army Contract. I did have this gun Lettered and that shows shipment to the Army on March 29, 1901.

The Letter describes the gun and that the round butt stocks were military marked (KSM = Kelly S. Morse, JTT = John T. Thompson).

My gun is stamped same as others posted, and I did see a GB auction many years ago for serial number 13080 also with all stampings in same places.

The Op's stocks don't appear to have the JTT, or KSM sanded off, so I don't think they were original to the gun which does appear to have the KSM on bbl flat. The butt markings may have been ground off but loks like a pretty smooth job if so.

Just my opinion...I'm no expert on these by any means!
 

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MrRexdale71 said:
Thanks for your response,Gary.
Yes. It does have all the marks you mentioned. The stocks number to the revolver, yet do not have the "KSM" or "1901".
It won't chamber .38 Special. The round doesn't quite seat in the charge hole.
Click to expand...

Your answers make me think that the revolver had the stocks stamping sanded off and the butt stamping filed off, the stocks refitted and refinished to eliminate those military markings. Either stolen from active active service, or a paranoid gun owner not wanting anyone to see those military markings. Curious it was left in 38 Colt chambering, so maybe done early on in the gun's life, when 38 Colt ammo was easy to buy.
 
The serial number range for the 1899 Army contract is 13001 - 14000, and the guns were examined by military inspectors before shipping. At the very least, the guns would have had the markings unique to the 1899 Army contract. Those guns would never have been shipped with no markings on the butt, so someone has removed them.

Mike Priwer
 
I have seen quite a few 1892 Colts over the years,but this is my first time actually seeing a M&P Model of 1899 that was not in a book.
 
The markings have been ground off the butt and the grips.
The logo looks a little thin to me, but glare in that pic makes it impossible to determine a refinish. Better pics would help.
NOTE the grinder mark at the strain screw---


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Ok.That makes sense.I never viewed it from that angle.
Do you think it is still worth getting a certified historical letter for this revolver, Considering the alterations?
 
MrRexdale71 said:
Ok.That makes sense.I never viewed it from that angle.
Do you think it is still worth getting a certified historical letter for this revolver, Considering the alterations?
Click to expand...

The letter is about the only way to prove it went to Remington for shipment to the US Army. It is still altered from original and will have diminished value because of it, but still you would have proof the gun was a US Army military gun.

I would get a lanyard ring and butt swivel pin from Numrich to fill the hole in the butt. The WWII ring is the same as the 1899 rings from the factory and will fit just fine. They come blued, but without the high polish of the 1899 revolvers. You can polish it up if needed and cold blue it before installation.
Butt Swivel, New Reproduction BRITISH, K-22, K-38 OUTDOORSMAN, MILITARY & POLICE, VICTORY SMITH & WESSON
 
That gun would have had a case hardened swivel, not blued.
 
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