The 1st K Frame, Model 1899

[DARE]

The hand ejector is the style of handgun that epitomizes S&W to the world. In 1899 the K frame in .38 S&W Special was introduced. A new frame size and a new cartridge. .38 Military Model of 1899. It became the revolver defining the police handgun for the next 100 years.
Here is my gun from March 1900.

Model 1899

 

[series guy]

Very nice. I really like those early guns with the straight tube.

 

[H Richard]

The 1899's started an evolution.

 

[DARE]

Trying to insert a photo using the new system.

 

[robertrwalsh]

History you can hold in your hand and shoot somebody with. Hard to beat that.

 

[glowe]

Not many Model 1899 Targets exist today, so any example is a great find. The only question I have is the front sight, since S&W did not offer such a design in that era. Most all I have seen have been the thin Paine beaded sights, like the two I show below. It could be an early Patridge sight, since they were introduced in 1900, but has been modified. What type of notch is in the rear sight blade? An example of a Patridge front sight is shown below on a Model 1902 Target.

 

[DARE]

Here is a letter on the gun. The gun is 3554, but the barrel is 3555.
A previous owner asked Roy Jinks about this.
Roy said that 3555 went to the famous Olympic shooter Dr. R. H. Sayre.
Dr. Sayre special ordered an 8-inch barrel. Roy thinks the original barrel on 3555 was not used and ended up on my gun.
The front sight is not correct. A later addition and I don't know if it is a Smith & Wesson sight or who did the work. The rear sight notch has been widened or the blade replaced.