In 1899, Smith & Wesson introduced the .38 Military & Police 1st Model Revolver. It first saw service in the Philippine Insurrection in .38 Long Colt, and in the stateside market, it was chambered in .38 Smith & Wesson Special. The .38 Special, as it came to be known, is possibly the most widespread and important handgun cartridge of the 20th Century.