U. S. Express Guns (Smith & Wesson Revolvers)

[lou buccasso]

Thank you for the reply. Here are some photos. I have two corrections tho, yes 1894 production and 1168 serial not (78) . I did not have the gun in my hand at the time of the writing. Hopefully this will help identify your research as well

 

[lou buccasso]

To BMur,
I am doing research on a Remington model 1890 ssa 44-40. What compelled me to purchase the gun were the letters stamped on the butt end of the grip strap. all capital block style antique letters. ( US EXP ). the gun was produced around 1904 serial number 1178.
some guys have told me to contact United States Express Trucking, they didn't exist then. Others said maybe it stands for us expert marksman in the military and was awarded to a person. it may be a fake express con job, but to me the stamping matches the patina and era of the gun pretty well. has there been any info on issuing a Remington handgun to an agent. I live near Ohio, Pa, and New York areas.
any help would be grateful. My name is Lou,

Murph, My other thoughts on the stamping was that the gun may have been an experimental gun issued to US gov. This made no no sense at all since Colt had the monopoly on hand guns of that era? So I keep looking for an answer. Thanks again,

 

[BMur]

Morning Lou,
Before I comment on the markings can you tell us if the barrel address is Remington & Sons or Remington Arms Co?

Murph

 

[wlw-19958]

Hi There,

Murph, if you enlarge the last pic of the Remington, you
will see the barrel markings. (i.e.: REMINGTON ARMS CO. ILION, N.Y.)

Cheers!
Webb

 

[BMur]

Thanks Webb.
It’s definitely a model 1890.
Ok,
This is my honest opinion for what it’s worth.
First the positive;
Remington was in Bankruptcy or coming out of it when these models were assembled.
It makes perfect sense that a purchasing agent hearing of a major gun maker selling off guns to pay creditors would have been first in line with cash in hand to purchase these guns for an Express Company at a volume discount.

Also, there are Remington records that have survived post 1888 so you might actually be able to trace this gun by serial number and find out more detailed information. Was it part of a large shipment? Where was it sent?

Flip side:
I have never seen or documented markings like this before. Therefore, I can’t confirm nor discount them. The font and deep stamp looks right to me.

However, I have to say in good conscience that I don’t like the cloudy appearance around the US stamp. I’ve seen this many times that “Normally” signifies a fresh stamp that was then pounded flat to appear old and that’s exactly what I’m seeing based solely on a photo. I’d have to see it in hand.
See attached photo.
The EXP. Also does not follow my research but honestly it’s still possible that it’s legit. Small contracts have oddities.
Hard part;
You have to find more examples. Simple as that but not so simple to find them. They must have identical markings in the exact same location with identical die stamps. Smaller contracts are extremely difficult to prove because so few examples remain.
I’m sorry Lou but that’s the best I can do without more information. I like the gun a lot. Very scarce variation and it does make sense from an Express purchase standpoint.

Murph

 

[BMur]

Lou,
Here is an excellent example of matching dies to prove markings. These are Remingtons also. Notice the unique C and very unique 3. And the long legged A. All the same on all 3 examples. That’s what starts the research. First by proving legit stamps.

Murph

 

[Model19man]

It looks like the thread title is in error? Remington is not Smith and Wesson.

 

[iby]

My Remington guru has informed me that all 2000+ model 1890's were made 1890-1891

 

[lou buccasso]

Thanks Webb.
It’s definitely a model 1890.
Ok,
This is my honest opinion for what it’s worth.
First the positive;
Remington was in Bankruptcy or coming out of it when these models were assembled.
It makes perfect sense that a purchasing agent hearing of a major gun maker selling off guns to pay creditors would have been first in line with cash in hand to purchase these guns for an Express Company at a volume discount.

Also, there are Remington records that have survived post 1888 so you might actually be able to trace this gun by serial number and find out more detailed information. Was it part of a large shipment? Where was it sent?

Flip side:
I have never seen or documented markings like this before. Therefore, I can’t confirm nor discount them. The font and deep stamp looks right to me.

However, I have to say in good conscience that I don’t like the cloudy appearance around the US stamp. I’ve seen this many times that “Normally” signifies a fresh stamp that was then pounded flat to appear old and that’s exactly what I’m seeing based solely on a photo. I’d have to see it in hand.
See attached photo.
The EXP. Also does not follow my research but honestly it’s still possible that it’s legit. Small contracts have oddities.
Hard part;
You have to find more examples. Simple as that but not so simple to find them. They must have identical markings in the exact same location with identical die stamps. Smaller contracts are extremely difficult to prove because so few examples remain.
I’m sorry Lou but that’s the best I can do without more information. I like the gun a lot. Very scarce variation and it does make sense from an Express purchase standpoint.

MurphView attachment 756245

View attachment 756246

Your reply and help is helpful to me establishing a starting point. Thank I will continue to seek helpful people as yourself to get more information on the gun and origin. I will take your advise and continue to look for other stamping that exist.

 

[lou buccasso]

Thank you for your help, I will continue to look for other examples and seek out helpful people as yourself to establish some origin of the gun. I means a lot to me that you replied.