What meaneth this?

[BobWright]

I examined an older S&W Military & Police Model today, pre-WW II vintage. It was nickeled but not original, I think. What caught our attention was the roll mark on the barrel.

In a two line rollmark was the usual ".38 Special ctg." and below that was

"US Service ctgs."

There were no other usual marks indicating export/lend lease or foreign purchase.

Comments?


Bob Wright

 

[PRD1]

As a guess...

and never having seen this particular marking before, I suggest it refers to the .38 Long Colt round, which will function in the .38 Special chamber, and was once the standard service round. For many years after the introduction of the Special, the government surplus ammunition was readily available, and relatively cheap.

PRD1 - mhb - Mike

 

[Old Fuff]

Yup... The above is correct. Smith & Wesson dropped the "Service Ctg" markings when it became clear that the military was moving toward a .45 to replace the .38 cartridge.

Keep in mind that the revolver you have is likely over 100 years old. The cylinder is not heat treated, so use mild loads. Also it doesn't have a positive hammer block, so if you carry it loaded rest the hammer down on an empty chamber.

 

[Jim K]

S&W dropped that marking in 1909 when the .38 Long Colt was replaced as the U.S. service cartridge by the .45 Model 1909. So your revolver is indeed at least 107 years old.

Jim

 

[BobWright]

Not my revolver by any means, but thank y'all for you comments. I'll pass the word along.

Bob Wright