S & W 1899 Navy Serial Number

[DEL56]

I purchase a S & W 1899 a while back and discovered it is a Navy issued one. At some time in it's life, someone decided to nickel plate it. That must have been when the Navy serial numbers and information were ground off the grip frame. It still has the S & W serial number. I am wanting to restore it but am not sure what Navy issue number to put on it since it is missing. What I am hoping is that someone here on the Froum has one that has a S & W serial number close to this one which would give me a clue as to what one this had. The S & W serial number on mine is 5256. a\Any help would be highly appreciated. Thanks

 

[brigham33]

One of the forum members in Oregon has a long list of serials and some information about the relationship between S&W and Navy numbers. Unfortunately his identity escapes my old mind at the moment. My 1899 Navy is numbered 5674 on the front grip by S&W and 640 on the butt as the navy sequence number.

 

[DEL56]

Thanks! Hope you figure out who he is. Sure would make my job of restoring the pistol easier. When I figure out what the Navy numbers, I plan to send to Ford's to get it done.

 

[DEL56]

I think I just got another S&W 1899 Navy. I will let you know for sure by the end of next week. Waiting for it to get here and I put eyes on it. I will let you know and post pictures if it materializes. I am not giving up on restoring the one I have though. Still waiting to figure out the Navy number and then will move forward on it.

 

[DEL56]

I finally picked up my S&W 1899 Navy issue pistol. It has a great bore in it. All the Navy markings are present and I was pleasantly surprised with the Navy number on it, 34. I am still hoping someone out there can help me with trying to figure out what Navy number should be on my other one.

 

[steelslaver]

Try this, with the grips off sand the butt down with 220-400-600 grit sand paper. Don't have tto get rid of every grrrr mark on it just have mostly smooth steel. Then place the butt in a 50-50 mixture of ferric chloride and distilled water for about 3-5 minutes. The stamping may show up faintly.

 

[model3sw]

The old method of raising dates on old coins (when dates were worn off) and later in my life during forensic investigation on engine blocks and even bearing races that had spun, obliterating manufacturers name and part numbers, is a light very dilute sulfuric acid compound, will raise the numbers in a heartbeat. You would have to lightly sand off the finish as another post recommends, starting with a bit coarser to finer sandpaper until the nickel is all gone, that you are applying directly to steel.

Once the numbers start to show, you can stop the acid by dipping into a strong mixture of baking soda and water. Take your pictures of the numbers, then, of course, oil up well.

With the US Navy numbers ground off, you truly are not losing anything, I feel by "raising" the numbers but you're just as well off by just leaving it, as it. It will be a roll of the dice whether knowing the exact US Navy number will enhances, decrease or just leave the same value as when it did not show or prove.

A serious collector won't go anywhere near that one, so, you have nice shooter with a US Navy story, for sure. Perhaps, don't push it any further but that is entirely you're call.

 

[model3sw]

I purchase a S & W 1899 a while back and discovered it is a Navy issued one. At some time in it's life, someone decided to nickel plate it. That must have been when the Navy serial numbers and information were ground off the grip frame. It still has the S & W serial number. I am wanting to restore it but am not sure what Navy issue number to put on it since it is missing. What I am hoping is that someone here on the Froum has one that has a S & W serial number close to this one which would give me a clue as to what one this had. The S & W serial number on mine is 5256. a\Any help would be highly appreciated. Thanks

Getting ready for a show this weekend I pulled my 2, 1899 Navy Revolvers, just for your reference.

In reviewing the post, I think you're going to be SOL (Seriously Out of Luck) if you're thinking the S&W serial numbers and US Navy numbers are sequential.

Seems if you really NEED to know the USN SN, you'll have to do the forensic method previously mentioned in my prior post.

I have SN: 5779 (USN #808) and SN: 5501 (USN #803). Heck, that's not even a FEW numbers out of synch.