identify an old S&W

[SaxonPig]

I don't claim to be always right... but I am never wrong.

I wouldn't waste $50 to find out that it was shipped to a military post as one of 1,000 similar guns. It appears to be the typical wartime S&W used by Great Britain (including Canada and Australia) in 38 S&W with a 5" barrel. Some military and police guns were made for U.S. sales in 38 Special with 4" barrels. It is getting hard to find one in original condition and prices reflect this fact. I see good ones in the $600+ range.

I load for a couple of 38 S&Ws I own using lead .357 bullets which seem to work fine despite being a bit undersized for the .360 bore of the 38 S&W. This is a caliber that requires reloading for economical shooting.

The revolver pictured below was shipped in 1942 (likely for police or security use as it bears no military ID) and had a 4" barrel but it was bulged at some point so I got it for $60 and I swapped on a correct 5" tube I picked up for $5 (a commercial model from the late 1930s so it's the same approximate era) creating a hybrid. It's pictured with some of the 1,000 rounds of +P and +P+ I fired through it to prove to myself that pre-model K frames were OK with such ammo. I believe they are.

 

[gun addict]

just for the record i have aboslutely no intent of doing any damage to this old S&W, i'd rather drive my car off the cliff then mess with an old firearm as i am a believe in originality.

So the consensus goes to that the revolver is now Canadian contract? then sent to Great Britain? This just deeper and deeper, what's next? Waiting for updates!

 

[blkbrd666]

You found a really good use for the Glock. That's a nice revolver...especially with the holster. Wish I could find those kind of deals!

 

[.22M.R.F.]

Old Smith for a Glock

gun addict, any time you can get an all metal Smith for a "Hard Plastic" Glock you are way ahead, (just kidding), nice old piece if history, congrats.

 

[kanook]

Smith & Wesson "Military & Police" Revolver
In 1932, the British Army adopted a lighter top-break revolver - the Enfield No.2 Mk I - chambered for the new .380/200 service cartridge (a military loading of the .38 Smith & Wesson employing a somewhat heavier 200 grain bullet). During the 1930's, the fledgling RCAF obtained 585 of these British pistols, but with the outbreak of WWII, Canada elected to adopt the Smith & Wesson "Military & Police" model revolver (in effect, a lighter version of the "Hand Ejector") which, in .38S&W chambering, would accommodate the standard .380/200 British service cartridge. Over 118,000 of these revolvers were purchased from 1939 through 1943.

Configuration of Canadian-issue arms: Double-action revolver, ranged from early acquisitions with commercial polished blue finish and checkered walnut grips (such as the example shown here) through brushed blue to later "wartime finishes" of sandblast blue and sandblast parkerizing with smooth wood grips; 4", 5" and 6" barrels (5" most common); .38 caliber; 6-round capacity; cylinder swings out to the left for loading and extraction. In service, 1939-1964.

Hope this helps a little. Although more than 118,000 were sent to Canada, thats a small amount to the overall manufactured and the fact that it made it to England to get the "NOT ENGLISH MAKE" is even a little more interesting. Have you taken off the grips to see if they match the gun? (serial number should be penciled on or stamped in)

 

[SaxonPig]

If it has Canadian markings that where it went and likely stayed.

 

[gun addict]

i have not taken off the grips yet as i am waiting to borrow my friend's gunsmith screwdriver, the screw holding the grips is prestine and i don't want to bugger it up

if it stayed in Canada where did the English proof mark came from? I think i found a real oddity here

haha, now all i need is to find a Waffenmark somewhere along the gun and i'll have one hell of a piece of history

 

[SaxonPig]

What British proofs? I missed reading about them. I saw mention of the broad arrow and that's Canadian. The Not English Made probably went on all guns going to Great Britain (and Canada is part of GB, being subjects to the British Crown, you know).

 

[gun addict]

so even Canadian contract S&W had to have the "not English made" marking stamped on it?

 

[kanook]

Mine don't have that on them. And it appears only a little more than 45,000 were sent to Canada of the 118,000.

 

[kanook]

I don't know how to resize the pic of the letter.

 

[Old Fuff]

You're moving faster on several fronts then I can type, but I will get caught up.

As for now I will point out that the "broad arrow" property stamp was used by British, as well as Commonwealth countries with a letter. The letter code was as followes:

Canada = C
South Africa = U
New Zealand =NZ
Australia = F, D, A

Some Canadian revolvers have been observed with the letters "BO" stamped on the right side of the frame just below the mainspring strain screw. You have to remove the stocks to see it.