Smith Wesson .38 Model 1902 USN Revolver

[1780inn]

Here for your perusal is Smith & Wesson Model 1902 .38 Military (.38 Long Colt) Caliber US Navy revolver serial number 25107 USN number 11(14?) inspected by John A. Bell Lt., USN who inspected Colt M1895, M1902 and Smith & Wesson M1902 Revolver 1902-1903. Smith & Wesson rework/refinish "STAR" is noted on heel.

 

[1780inn]

A few more photos:

 

[1780inn]

USN number and inspector's initials.

 

[DARE]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[glowe]

It appears that the cylinder has been altered to accept a 38 Special. See if that caliber will fit in the chamber? Not uncommon for these Navy 1902s and 1899 military guns to have chambers worked on through the years. Maybe the factory did that on request as well. Stocks are from the 1920s. Look under the left stock for a number date stamp?

 

[1780inn]

Yes it will chamber .38 S&W Special cartridge; I have both .38 Long Colt and .38 S&W Special ammo. Safe to shot with both or just the .38 Long Colt?

 

[glowe]

Since a prior owner rechambered the cylinder there is no doubt that that revolver shot lots of 38 Special. The gun was built the same as 38 Special except for the chamber length, so standard 38 Special with lead bullets will be just fine. The only thing different is collector interest and value. Serious collectors want and will pay more for factory original unaltered guns.

 

[cgt4570]

I had an 1899 Army for a while that went back to Smith in the '20s for a nickel finish and lengthened chambers. The 3 versions of .38 LC military contract guns and the .38 Special revolvers of the time are identical except for chamber length. Any .38 Special that's safe to shoot in an early K frame is safe to shoot in a converted 1899 or 1902.
Here are my examples of all 3 one of a thousand contracts. They won't win any beauty contests, but they're all in as-shipped configuration.

 

[1780inn]

Fast turnaround on the Smith & Wesson letter. Interesting that the letter states the revolver was originally shipped in caliber .38 S&W Special and U.S. Service cartridge (.38 Long Colt). Here's a closeup of the cylinder of a similar 1902 USN revolver shipped to the Brooklyn Navy Yard on 20 January 1903; cylinders look the same to me (unless my old eyes deceive me). See details here 2019 Jack the Dog auction.

Just a moment...

 

[glowe]

After checking other resources, it seems that Don might not be correct, since it is listed as a 38 Long Colt for the Model 1902 Navy in Jinks book. The Model 1899 Army and Navy revolvers also were shipped only in 38 Long Colt and stamped "38 MIL". What caliber is stamped on the barrel.

 

[1780inn]

It's listed as S&W 38 Mil.

 

[handejector]

Fast turnaround on the Smith & Wesson letter. Interesting that the letter states the revolver was originally shipped in caliber .38 S&W Special and U.S. Service cartridge (.38 Long Colt). Here's a closeup of the cylinder of a similar 1902 USN revolver shipped to the Brooklyn Navy Yard on 20 January 1903; cylinders look the same to me (unless my old eyes deceive me). See details here 2019 Jack the Dog auction.

Just a moment...

Your letter is incorrect. The 1902 Navy guns will not chamber 38 Special unless they have been reamed. Look at the auction you linked to again. Note that Jack states: "The chambers have not been reamed out for .38 Special and it remains original."
You should ask Don to redo the letter.

 

[mikepriwer]

If our understanding is right, this gun should chamber 38 Long Colt, but not 38 Special.

Mike Priwer

 

[DARE]

Seems to me the OP is due a price reduction.
The seller claimed the chambers had not been reamed for .38 Special.
I think that makes the gun worth less.

 

[glowe]

Glad you added the space between "worth" and "less".

I would guess that maybe the majority of sellers out there do not even know the difference. I have seen some converted Army and Navy guns here on the Forum and other places that make no mention of the chambers being bored out. There have been threads about these early military 38s here and even some members were surprised to know that their guns were altered. I would suspect that a converted gun has lost some value, but not sure how much?

 

[Muley Gil]

I would be happy to own an 1899 or a 1902 Navy, rechambered or not.