S&W .38 Military and Police

[Daniel Faidley]

My dad gave me this .38 M&P for Christmas and I have tried to do some research on it. I think it is an 1898/1899, but haven't really been able to prove that to myself. Can anyone help me identify exactly what I have inherited? The last patent date along the top of the barrel is Oct. 4, 98 and the serial number is 4829. The only stamping in the gun besides the serial number and the patent dates is the the S&W trademark. It has rounded hard rubber grips, and the barrel is 6 1/2" long.

 

[rcmodel]

M&P 1st. Model (Model of 1899 Army-Navy)

Looks to be a Target model missing all or part of the front & rear sights?

rc

 

[Daniel Faidley]

Yeah, they look modified, not sure when. My dad didn't seem to know much about the gun just that my Great Grandfather gave it to my Grandfather who gave it to my Dad who then gave it to me. Not really sure when my Great Grandfather got it, but my dad seemed to think in the 60's for some reason. Thanks for the info! How much does the modified sights affect it's value?

 

[rcmodel]

Hard to say.
But it ain't gonna be pretty.

I'd guess it could cut the value in half.

There is a real nice 4th. Model target here for $875.
http://www.armchairgunshow.com/otsHA1_Smith_Wesson_HE.htm

Is your frame cut out for the rear sight like that one?
If not, somebody put a Target barrel on a M&P frame, and took the front sight blade off because it was shooting way too low.

rc

 

[Daniel Faidley]

The rear sight looks ground out and the crescent on the front looks ground off. Disappointing, but just not sure when or why or anything... I just took it out to shoot today and it works quite well though!

 

[forindooruseonly]

my Great Grandfather gave it to my Grandfather who gave it to my Dad who then gave it to me.

The rear sight looks ground out and the crescent on the front looks ground off. Disappointing, but just not sure when or why or anything... I just took it out to shoot today and it works quite well though!

Well, it looks like you got a fun family heirloom that you can pass on to keep the tradition alive - even if it isn't worth a whole lot. You don't see many guns getting passed on through four generations. That's pretty cool.

 

[Daniel Faidley]

I definitely will pass it down! It is still a pretty neat gun and it will be cool to give it to my son one day! Thanks.

 

[rcmodel]

No, the rear sight is not ground out, nor is it a Target model sight.

The tiny V was filed, but no grinding took place.

I am leaning more & more toward a fixed sight M&P frame with a Target model barrel screwed on it at some point.

rc

 

[Old Fuff]

If it's a target model barrel the remaining front sight lug will have a slot in it to hold a blade, and a pin hole will be drilled through the side.

 

[rcmodel]

That is what I was looking for.

But it looks more like a target base lug ground down below the pin hole in the photo to me.

rc

 

[Old Fuff]

You may well be right, but the gun owner will have to tell us because there is no way to tell from the pictures.

 

[SaxonPig]

To me looks like a fixed sight gun with the half-moon blade cut off the front sight.

At www.smith-wessonforum.com there is a gentleman name Mike Priwer who is the acknowledged expert on the 1899.

 

[Old Fuff]

I ask myself, "Why? Why would anyone cut the sight down that far?" The only reason I can think of is that it was carried in a shorter holster (or in the waistband) and the sight was removed to prevent snagging. This is something I've seen, but not very often.

 

[Daniel Faidley]

I do not see any slots or pin holes at the front sight that a new blade would attach. I think it was a fixed sight that someone removed and filed down. @Old Fuff I think you may be right that it was to prevent snagging. Thanks for looking guys! It's good to have the feedback on what I have here. I truly appreciate it!

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I definitely will pass it down! It is still a pretty neat gun and it will be cool to give it to my son one day! Thanks.

My suggestion would be to write down everything you know about who had the revolver and when before memories fade. If anyone is still around from back then have them write about the revolver too. Then you write your part and when you son gets the revolver he can write his part. In the end the hand written work will be worth more than the revolver in 100 years or so. Your great-great grandson will have 6 generations of handwritten accounts of that revolver. Now that's very cool!

 

[Old Fuff]

Considering your intentions for this revolver's future, I suggest that you get it "lettered." For a $50.00 research fee you can find out exactly what the gun's specifications were, the day and year it was shipped from the factory, and to what distributor, dealer or individual - although the latter is unlikely. You may also learn if the record has anything to say about the front sight.

Information concerning historical letters of authentication from Smith & Wesson’s historian, Roy G. Jinks can be obtained from the link listed below.

In exchange for a $50.00 research fee (make any check out to Smith & Wesson, not Mr. Jinks) he will search through the company’s original records until he finds your particular revolver. He will then send you an official letter which usually includes:

A short history of the revolver model’s background.

What the barrel length, caliber/cartridge, finish and stocks were, as well as the exact date it was shipped from the factory – and to what distributor, dealer or individual – as whatever the case may be.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757825_-1_757814_757812_image

 

[Guillermo]

looks like a fixed sight gun with the half-moon blade cut off the front sight.

me too

you can see the slope where barrel and sight intersect