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James K · September 19, 2010, 08:52 PM

Hi, Mike,

The use of that marking by S&W is rather odd. There were two markings: ".38 S&W SPECIAL/& U.S. SERVICE CTG'S", and ".38 S&W SPECIAL CTG." Normally, one would think that they would use one marking, then go to the other one, and many books assume that is the case, with the former marking being first then dropped when the .38 Long Colt was no longer the service cartridge.

But it seems that both markings were used together, with no rhyme or reason for one over the other that I know of. My Model 1899 (11xxx, about halfway through production) has only the latter marking, yet I have seen other 1899's as well as Model 1902's and early 1905's with both markings, and this is confirmed by Neal and Jinks, who say both markings were used through the serial number ranges. Apparently, the dual marking did not completely vanish until the Model 1905 Second Change in (at the earliest) 1906.

Jim

September 19, 2010, 08:52 PM	#7
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Hi, Mike, The use of that marking by S&W is rather odd. There were two markings: ".38 S&W SPECIAL/& U.S. SERVICE CTG'S", and ".38 S&W SPECIAL CTG." Normally, one would think that they would use one marking, then go to the other one, and many books assume that is the case, with the former marking being first then dropped when the .38 Long Colt was no longer the service cartridge. But it seems that both markings were used together, with no rhyme or reason for one over the other that I know of. My Model 1899 (11xxx, about halfway through production) has only the latter marking, yet I have seen other 1899's as well as Model 1902's and early 1905's with both markings, and this is confirmed by Neal and Jinks, who say both markings were used through the serial number ranges. Apparently, the dual marking did not completely vanish until the Model 1905 Second Change in (at the earliest) 1906. Jim