S&W Mod. 10 + Cogswell & Harrison?

[Infidel]

I have come across an S&W Model 10 (I think), .38, 4" barrel, looks just like any other well-worn classic service revolver (Model 10), but on the left side of the frame it is stamped "Converted by Cogswell & Harrison". There is a rectangular lanyard ring attached to the bottom of the grip, and the barrel has what appears to be a proof stamp and "3.5 tons". The serial number on the bottom of the grip frame and on the cylinder's rear face, is 741xxx.

What is this? What is the thing with Cogswell & Harrison, whom I connect with high-end double rifles and the like, not service pistols?

I also posted this on TFL.

Thank you.

 

[Jim Watson]

Huh, you have the second one of those this month, third on the year.

During WW II Smith & Wesson sent many Military & Police .38-200 (British heavy bullet loading of .38 S&W) to England to supplement their Enfields and Webleys (and because the S&W 9mm Light Rifle they had promised did not do well and they sent revolvers to fill the contract.)

After the war, the Brits dumped most of these guns on the US surplus market. They were going to BHP and we don't want too many guns running around England anyway, don'cha know, old chap?

They didn't move too well, so the surplus outfits started looking for ways to make them more interesting to the colonials. They hit on rechambering them to .38 Special to take ammo we considered more current. It is not a very smart conversion, the .38 S&W is shorter but larger OD than .38 Special. Specials shot in a reamed S&W chamber will bulge alarmingly and may split. But England was broke after the war, and even a fine old gunmaker like Cogswell and Harrison was desperate for work, so they took the job of reaming out the chambers at sweatshop prices... and quality.

There are a lot out there sawn off to 2", losing the front ejector rod latch, too.

There are also some of these guns converted to .22 and maybe .22 magnum. Done by lining the barrel, sleeving the chambers, and moving the firing pin for rimfire. Most had a small adjustable sight installed. Neat looking at a distance, but still cheaply done. I think also by Cogswell & Harrison but don't recall for sure.

 

[Infidel]

Thank you. I apologize for not finding the previous information.

The revolver belongs to a friend, who bought it used about 25 years ago, and who has put quite a bit of ammunition through it over the years. He keeps it for personal/home protection. I just couldn't figure out the Cogswell and Harrison thing.

Thank you very much for the information.