I think I came across a 1st model 38 M&P

[Memphis]

We had our daughter and son-in-law's parents over to our house for the first time today. He had already told me he inherited some guns (S&W's) and would bring them over since he knew that was my baliwick. There were four and three of them were generec pre models 32 cal blah blah. But one caught my eye. I believe it was a 1st model M&P since it had no locking lug, was a round butt and it had a straight bbl where it met at the frame. The serial number was 14670 and it was on the butt, the barrel flat and the ejector star. It had black hard rubber grips and service sights. The ejector rod still had a perfect knurled knob on the end (the one that's usually missing). It had no lanyard loop and no military markings. I didn't count the sideplate screws and I didn't take any pics (yet). It was marked 38 special.
I forgot to check where the cylinder stop was located. This is a time when I wish Mike Priwer was here!
Is this a common gun? I just thought I'd run it by ya'll.

Thx, Roger
(I believe the bbl was 6")

 

[series guy]

Sounds like a really nice Model of 1899.

 

[DWalt]

I believe there were only around 20K of the first model .38 M&P made (AKA Model of 1899). Not many still circulating, and it appears you have one of them. Personally, I remember running across only one of them, and it was in raggedy condition. Had some serious problems.

 

[DARE]

Sounds like a 1st Model. Here is my 1st Model Target #3554.
The front sight has been modified, but otherwise original condition. Guns below 7000 were not caliber marked.

 

[H Richard]

Did it look like this?

 

[glowe]

There were 20,975 Model 1899s manufactured. There was also a US Army and US Navy contract for 1,000 each of these guns. The Army had a lanyard ring and was made in the 13,000 range. Lanyards could be ordered on any 1899 and I have one with one that is not a military gun. The Navy was made in the 5,000 range. These guns were made with both black hard rubber or walnut stocks. This model was made as a 4 screw revolver, meaning it lacked the 5th screw under the frame which signified a new style cylinder stop. Shipping dates were nowhere near serial number order, so very difficult to estimate when it shipped. History letter is how to find out when it left the factory and where it went. The majority of serial numbers in the 14,000 range were shipped in 1901-1902.

I have had over a couple dozen 1899s and only bought 2 with a missing knob. It seems that the I frame Model 1896 suffered more from this problem due to a two piece knob screws loosening over time. There were 3 standard barrel lengths offered with this model, 4", 5", 6" and 6.5". I believe that 5" guns were the least common found. The target variation of this model is close to rare in the context of collecting, with maybe only 300 around today. If one looks at the 32 Winchester Target K frame, maybe less than 100 exist today.

Here is what I have still around in the house today and no 5" guns. US Army is the 6" gun with the lanyard.

 

[cmansguns]

US Army Model 1899 - possibly the oldest survivor of record

It sounds for sure like the OP has a Model 1899, just after the Army Contract which ran from s/n 13001 to 14000. I have researched mine with s/n 13030, and I believe it might actually be the oldest known survivor of the Army contract guns. I have seen evidence of another Army with s/n 13083 but no evidence of any under s/n 13030.

Note the Army inspector markings on the grips KSM= Kelly S. Moore, JTT = James Thompson of "Tommy Gun" fame). Also note the cartridge marking on the barrel as dingbat 38 Mil dingbat.

would love to see some pics of the OP gun when you can. I think these are really neat "first hand ejector 38's" and really are the guns that started the ball rolling!

 

[glowe]

. . . I have researched mine with s/n 13030, and I believe it might actually be the oldest known survivor of the Army contract guns. I have seen evidence of another Army with s/n 13083 but no evidence of any under s/n 13030 . . .

There is a 13046 in the old Yahoo database as well. Problem is that these guns continue to pop up outside our circle of associations and collectors, so who knows how many still exist. It is often stated that maybe 50% of guns over 100 years old are still around today. That could mean that there should be 15 out there somewhere with lower serial numbers than 13030???????

 

[larryofcc]

I have a beater, but it appears to be correct down to the numbered stocks. # 18988, shipped 7-1902. Big Larry

 

[James K]

I have #9296 with a 5" barrel in VG+ condition.

 

[Muley Gil]

Back in the late '90s, I worked part-time in a gun/pawnshop. They had several 1899s in the display case. Back then, S&Ws were my "working guns" and I just KNEW those Smiths without the front lug were inferior to the newer S&W revolvers. I never bought one until a few years ago, here in Virginia-a 5" .32-20.

Live and learn, I reckon.