Make: Smith & Wesson

Model: .38 Military & Police Model of 1902, 1st Change, Target Model

Serial Number: 59828

Year of Manufacture: 1903-1904

Caliber: .38 Special

Action Type: Single and Double Action Revolver with Swing-Out Cylinder

Barrel Length: 6", Pinned

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a blade pinned to a slotted base integral to the barrel. The rear sight is a square notch adjustable for windage and elevation in a base screwed to the topstrap.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The grips are two-piece checkered walnut with smooth diamonds around the screw heads. The inside of the right panel has the serial number hand-written in pencil. The grips have minor handling wear with a few light marks, mostly on the bottom faces. The checkering is well defined. There are no chips or cracks. Overall, the grips are in about Fine condition.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is mostly bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore, but there is scattered stubborn fouling. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates 8/10.

Overall Condition: This handgun retains about 80% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. Most of the balance is scattered minor surface oxidation. There are some scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads are tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this revolver is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this handgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: This is a Smith & Wesson Military & Police Model of 1902 1st Change. The M&P models continued to be made through WWII, becoming the .38/200 British Service Revolver and the .38 M&P Victory, and went on to become the Model 10 when the model numbering scheme was introduced in 1957. The Military and Police Models were the first of the K frame revolvers that were popular with military and police professionals for decades, as well as target shooters and enthusiasts and Smith & Wesson is still making the K framed Model 10 to this day. This example is a scarce Target model with adjustable target sights. It is in Very Good condition retaining the great majority of its original metal finish, a strong bore and good mechanics. This is a nice K-Frame that will be a lot of fun to shoot and will make a nice addition to a S&W collection. Please see our photos and good luck!