Model 1902 Navy Contract

[dobk63]

I always wanted to be the custodian of one of the 1899/1902 US Contract Smiths. Finally got it.

 

[dobk63]

More pics.

 

[dobk63]

And again.

 

[dobk63]

Once more.

 

[dobk63]

And the Box.

 

[murphydog]

This one is by far the nicest 1902 Military I have ever seen! Is there a story behind how it stayed in this condition for the past 115 years? Congratulations on finding and purchasing it.

 

[SLT223]

This one is by far the nicest 1902 Military I have ever seen! Is there a story behind how it stayed in this condition for the past 115 years? Congratulations on finding and purchasing it.

I too am very curious!

 

[JayCeeNC]

Wow, just like it came out of a time capsule!
Great gun; thanks for sharing with us.

 

[dobk63]

This one is by far the nicest 1902 Military I have ever seen! Is there a story behind how it stayed in this condition for the past 115 years? Congratulations on finding and purchasing it.

Thanks so much. I have no other information on her. I guess I should get a letter but feel it would probably just say Brooklyn Navy Yard.

 

[Kurusu]

Wow!

I'm really glad I'm not an envious person. I'd be dead stiff by now if I was.

Congratulations are in order.

 

[SLT223]

Thanks so much. I have no other information on her. I guess I should get a letter but feel it would probably just say Brooklyn Navy Yard.

If I had a gun that well preserved from that era, I would be very curious as to what the letter might say. I think it would be worth at least its $75 in the resale of the gun, if you ever do that. Some guns aren't worth lettering. This is not one of them in my opinion.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Shame on you for photoshopping pictures of that 115 year old handgun to make it look like it just came off the assembly line! I'm chagrined that a fellow collector would try to put one over on us like that!

Seriously, congratulations on a superb acquisition! What a jewel!

 

[ordnanceguy]

Well, I'd say that the wait was worth it. That is a spectacular example. Having the original box pushes it into the realm of museum grade, except those in the museums are not nearly as nice as your example.

As they say in the Navy .... Bravo Zulu!

 

[Bobbysixkiller]

That's very nice. I would letter it. It's only money. I'd be happy to have one that was beat up.

 

[JP@AK]

I always wanted to be the custodian of one of the 1899/1902 US Contract Smiths. Finally got it.

Very, very cool!!! Congrats.

 

[mh51]

Just doesn't get any better than that!! Nice find, and enjoy being the new owner.

 

[cgt4570]

Yours has a LOT more finish on it than mine does. I'm away right now so I can't post pics or my SN. I also have it's cousin, the Army version. Unfortunately the Army went back to the factory to be refinished in nickel in the 1920's. They both have their original grips, the Army with the inspector stamps.

 

[CptCurl]

I have one that's original, unmolested, and not refinished. I shared images of it here: .38 M&P Model 1902 U.S. Navy No. 25188

Interesting revolvers, these!

Curl