Help IDing swing out revolver

[1x1time]

I'll do the best I can giving info on this gun.
Swing out cylinder
No mod. number
5and5/8 barrel
four screws on right side of frame
no screw in front of trigger guard
screw on tang
three didgit serial number
black plastic grips

Thanks,
1x1time

***In addition, I'm pretty sure it is a .38 special. Also, patent dates July 1, 84; April 9, 89; May 21, 95; July 16, 95; August 4, 96; Dec. 22, 96 and Oct. 4, 98.****

 

[ken158]

It is going to take a picture to figure out what you have...

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Please post all markings found on the revolver, like caliber, Smith & Wesson, patent dates, etc.

And please try and post pictures.

 

[k22fan]

This is enough to eliminate Model 1905 and later K frames, 1953 and later I frames, and all J, N, L, and X frames. The 1905 date should be earlier but I'm not that familiar with the earliest K frames.

[...]
four screws on right side of frame
no screw in front of trigger guard
screw on tang [...]

Welcome to the forum. Did you measure the full barrel from its muzzle to the front of the cylinder? More clues would be helpful. What cartridge does it shoot? That is usually stamped on the right side of the barrel. How many chambers does the cylinder have? Where is the number that you gave as its serial number stamped?

 

[Muley Gil]

It could be a Model of 1902, either .38 or .32 Winchester (.32-20).

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello 1X1, and welcome as a new guy. Need some more info.
Just take the lead of the other Posts. You are in the right place, these guys shoot straight on info. and welcome. best

 

[Alk8944]

1X1,

Your revolver is a 6 1/2" Model 1899 S&W Military, later named Military & Police. It could be chambered for either the .38 Military (.38 Long Colt) or .38 S&W Special the charge holes are too big for .32-20, aka .32 Winchester Cartridge (Ctg.) If it is caliber marked it would be on the left side of the barrel, not the right as someone else said, this came several years later. The barrel is measured from the face of the cylinder to the muzzle, not from the front of the frame. The stocks (S&W terminology) are hard rubber, not plastic, otherwise known as Vulcanite. Too bad someone drilled a hole through the S&W logo.

If you would provide the serial number, found on the butt, back of cylinder, and several other locations, we can tell you the year it was originally shipped. You are fortunate as the extractor rod knob is present, many are not!

 

[DWalt]

Definitely an 1899 (the first S&W K-frame revolver), as there is no extractor rod lug under the barrel. The SN might allow a little more information to be provided. The M1899 SNs in .38 Special stopped at just under 21000 in early 1902, to be replaced by the M1902. Those chambered in .38 Special are considerably more numerous than those in .32-20. Any other stampings on the barrel and frame could be helpful. In reasonably good (and original) cosmetic and functional condition, any 1899 is desirable to collectors. Not that many were made and few of those have survived. Shooting it is not a great idea, as if you break a part, it will be very difficult to find a replacement.

 

[1x1time]

There are no caliber markings that I can find.The serial number is 305 found on the butt and on the barrel under the ejection rod.
Thanks for all your help.
1x1time

 

[delcrossv]

Shooting it is not a great idea, as if you break a part, it will be very difficult to find a replacement.

Have to disagree, It's a reliable gun and safe to shoot with standard , lead bulleted, ammo.



Mine has no caliber marking either. Odds are it's chambered for 38 special, rather than 38 military. If not it'll be obvious as the gun won't chamber Specials.

 

[Daniel Howe]

I would take a guess that it's a model 1899. What is the serial number on the butt? Is the barrel stamped "38 S&W CRT"

 

[Alk8944]

There are no caliber markings that I can find.The serial number is 305 found on the butt and on the barrel under the ejection rod.
Thanks for all your help.
1x1time

If the number on the butt is 305, then this is very early first-year production!


Delcrossy's remark "Odds are it's chambered for 38 special, rather than 38 military. If not it'll be obvious as the gun won't chamber Specials." is not correct. The gun will chamber either cartridge. When caliber markings began they were marked .38 Special (&) .38 Service Cartridge

 

[delcrossv]

If the number on the butt is 305, then this is very early first-year production!


Delcrossy's remark "Odds are it's chambered for .38 rather than 38 military. If not it'll be obvious as the gun won't chamber Specials." is not correct. The gun will chamber either cartridge. When caliber markings began they were marked .38 Special (&) .38 Service Cartridge

Yep, thanks for the correction. Senior moment- somehow 38 SC was stuck in my mind.

 

[1x1time]

The serial number is 305,any info as to when this gun was shipped would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
1x1time

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Your images definitely show a Model 1899, which was the first solid frame K frame revolver made. Also, it is chambered for 38 Special. The very early 305 serial number would obviously have been manufactured in 1899 and shipped either in 1899 or 1900.