Help with ID

[Jon1937]

I've inherited an old S&W revolver and am confused by which model it is. On the Bluebook website the 1899 and the 1902 are described pretty much the same. One thing they don't mention are the patents listed on the barrel. Mine includes a July 1903 patent listed, so I assumed it had to be a model 1902 which was manufactured in 1903.

The problem is that they list the serial numbers included in both model years. The serial number of mine is in the 14000's which is supposed to be in the model 1899 production which ended in 1902. How can a gun with a patent listed on the barrel that was issued in 1903 have been made in 1902? Is it really a model 1899,... but made in 1903 after the newer patent was issued? Were any model 1899's made in 1903?

How does one tell which model it really is?

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum. The best indication of which model it could be is the serial number and whether or not it has a front extractor rod lug on the underside of the barrel.

If you took the # from the gun butt, it's the s/n. And if it's in the 14000 range it's a Model 1899 and should not have a front locking lug, the extractor rod just hangs in midair with no front locking lug.

The Model 1903 began with serial # 20976 and has a front locking lug.

So based on that, which do you have?

I would not be try to ID the gun based on the 1903 patent date on the barrel. Barrels can be changed; it may have gone back to the factory for a new barrel. Does the s/n under the barrel match the gun butt s/n? Also, the frame may have been assembled late at the factory after the barrel patent date stamp was changed to include the 1903 patent.

 

[Masterpiece]

I've inherited an old S&W revolver and am confused by which model it is. On the Bluebook website the 1899 and the 1902 are described pretty much the same. One thing they don't mention are the patents listed on the barrel. Mine includes a July 1903 patent listed, so I assumed it had to be a model 1902 which was manufactured in 1903.

Jon1937,

*Quick Question*...What Cartridge is your Revolver chambered for...(32 Long or 38 Special)...??

Reason I ask...judging by the comments Jim (Hondo44) passed on to you about the Serial Numbers...I'm not so sure you're the only one that's confused as to what Model it may be...No Offense Intended Jim!!

That said...Given the July 1903 Patent Date on the Barrel, Serial No. & if it is in fact chambered for 32 S&W Long ...I believe it to be a Model of 1903 .32 Hand-Ejector~AKA~.32 Hand-Ejector 2nd Model...Not a Model 1899 or 1902 as you assumed it to be!!

By the way...Welcome To The Forum!!

 

[Jon1937]

I'm glad you guys know the right questions, since my knowledge of pistols is lacking. On the 4 inch barrel it says, "38 S&W Special, US Service Ctg's". The barrel does have the front locking lug. Hondo's question about the S/N being on the butt caused me to get out a magnifying glass to look again. The 14000 range number I found previously came from the lug that the cylinder rotates on, and I just assumed that had to be the S/N since I saw no other numbers. But, with the magnifying glass I found a faint number on the bottom of the butt and it's a 92000 series number.

This leads me to believe this is a 1905 model, probably 1st change. Do you concur? If it is a 'later' model, and they made a ton of them, I assume it really isn't worth anything. Or, at least not spending the time to find someone who would want it. It obviously spent a lot of time in someones holster, not sitting in a drawer somewhere. I wish my grandfather was still around to tell me where he got it.

 

[DWalt]

Yours is within the SN range of the Model of 1905, 1st Change (1906-08). Condition would largely determine if it has much value.
-----------------
Just to add a bit more information. The caliber stamping on the barrel simply indicates that both .38 S&W Special and .38 Long Colt cartridges can be used. The .38 Long Colt at that time was the official U. S. Service cartridge chambered in various versions of the .38 Colt Army and Navy model revolver used by the military. The .38 S&W Special cartridge is dimensionally identical to the .38 Long Colt, except it has a slightly greater case and overall length, and is also a bit more powerful.

 

[Masterpiece]

On the 4 inch barrel it says, "38 S&W Special, US Service Ctg's". It's a 92000 series number.

Jon1937,

Thanks...The above info certainly explains the confusion...At least mine!! Also, the 4-Inch Barrel explains where the July 1903 Patent Date came into all this!!

***********************************************************************************************
And to Hondo,

Well Jim, looks like you were right after all...Ha!!~Ha!!

 

[Jon1937]

Thanks for the replies, and sorry for missing the S/N the first time. At 76 my eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be.

 

[mikepriwer]

The barrel does have the front locking lug.

Jim

The above quote from an earlier response.

Regards, Mike

 

[Hondo44]

Jim

The above quote from an earlier response.

Regards, Mike

Thx, I can't even read right anymore!

 

[Masterpiece]

Thx, I can't even read right anymore!

Jim,

You were reading it right when you responded...the OP didn't add the info containing that Quote until a response "After" you first posted your info!!