Model 1902

[tjpopkin]

I was in my LGS, when a customer showed the salesman a photo of an old revolver. He said he wanted to find a good home for it and the price would be very reasonable...
When I saw the gun, in person, I was not overly impressed, but when I handled it, I realized that it had a very clean bore and cylinders, no end-shake, tight as a drum and a fairly good trigger...The gun is listed in the STD.CAT. as a Model of 1902, and serial # is 21009. Roy subsequently told me it shipped in Apr.1902. The Lanyard loop is factory, and serial# is stamped on the left frame under the stocks. I rate the gun VG-VG+. Today I disassembled it, washed out the gunk, sprayed with break-free, and lubed with Militec. It is like a fine watch. I will shoot it this week with .38 wadcutters (light) and hope it is accurate. I was charged ONLY the transfer fees...$35.00.
Talk about good luck....

 

[Vbk76]

That is beautiful

 

[shouldazagged]

Incredible deal. Enjoy shooting that fine old revolver.

 

[jmace57]

Oh, my!!! Gorgeous

 

[hivel37]

Very nice! It truly is jewelry.

 

[DWalt]

Interesting that it seems to have a round lanyard swivel. I do not remember seeing one. Is it original?

 

[delcrossv]

I will shoot it this week with .38 wadcutters (light) and hope it is accurate. ..

One of my great pleasures in this throw away culture is picking up and shooting a 100+ year old firearm.
Congratulations on your find!

 

[Waveski]

I am having a hard time processing this!

(jealousy is such an ugly emotion...)

 

[ABPOS]

Yeah..... 35 dollars????????????

 

[bigolddave]

Mine isn't quite as nice, but probably left the factory pretty close to when yours did, SN 21088

 

[DCWilson]

The early K-frames with round butt and 6-1/2 inch barrels may have the most elegant and attractive profile among all S&W revolvers. Congratulations on the acquisition.

 

[tjpopkin]

1902

David,
I just wish it were in the condition that I collect....it is a 70% gun, maybe...
No major problems, only blueing wear and some light dings and scratches.
Inner parts cleaned up well and action is good.
Any suggestions on loads to shoot....I know not to shoot any hot modern loads in guns manuf.prior to 1922, but I intend to shoot some light wadcutter loads...2.6gr Bullseye. should be fine?????

 

[tjpopkin]

The early K-frames with round butt and 6-1/2 inch barrels may have the most elegant and attractive profile among all S&W revolvers. Congratulations on the acquisition.

David,
here is a modern gun with a similar profile......

 

[H Richard]

Terry, I load 2.7 gr Bullseye or 3.2 gr 231 with HBWC's. Mild and accurate.

 

[DCWilson]

Terry, I don't handload, but I never use anything hotter than the commercial over-the-counter low-pressure wadcutter target loads when I shoot my .38s from the 'aughts, 'teens and '20s.

I like the case finish on the heritage series revolver, but I do think the extra half inch of barrel on the older versions really offers some visual appeal that the six-inch barrels just can't provide. One of my favorite revolvers is a square butt M&P with a serial number a bit above 100000. It has the 6-1/2 inch barrel.

 

[JoelVerriere]

Hello, I am French and I use an automatic translator.
I registered on this forum recently.
Indeed, I am the proud owner of a Smith & Wesson 1902 undoubtedly dated from 1903 according to what I could read on posts. (Number B 31818)
I'm trying to attach a photo for the first time.
On the barrel it is written: "SMITH&WESSON SPINDFIELD MASS.U.S.A.PATD APR. 9.89. MAR.27.94
MAY.21.95. JULY.16.95. AUG.4.96. DEC.22.96. OCT.4.98 0CT.4.98. OCT.8.01. DEC.17.01 "
On the left side of the barrel it is written:"38 S & W SPECIAL
& U.S. SERVICE CTG'S "
Under the barrel it is written: "B 31818"
The cylinder on the left has 2 punches:
• One Ⓐ on the left
• A clover on the right.
• It bears the same number as the carcass is, 31818
The mark 'E888' is present inside the cover plate and on the carcass.
Thank you for sharing your comments.
cordially
Joel

 

[delcrossv]

Tres bien!

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Bienvenue sur les forums du Wiregrass! You have correctly identified your gun as a Model 1902 .38 Military & Police revolver. The stamp "38 S & W SPECIAL & U.S. SERVICE CTG'S " indicates the gun can chamber the .38 Special cartridge and the .38 Long Colt, which was the U.S. service cartridge at the time. The "B" under the barrel indicate the gun was made with a blue finish. Other markings have little meaning outside the production environment.


I hope that helps. I look forward to seeing pictures of your gun.

 

[FifthWheel]

I think the owner was happy to find it a good home! Congratulations. This is mine from around 1917. Does not appear to have been fired much at all and if I ever do it will be with lead, I just put those in for the picture as they were handy and I couldn't find my lead. I paid a tad more than $35 but no regrets.

 

[Muley Gil]

Terry, was the lanyard loop installed through the SN on the butt or is the SN stamping on the grip frame the only frame stamping location?