I have to suspect that the gun is not properly and originally chambered for the 38 Special but is in fact a reamed out 38 S&W. This is a most unsavory conversion that was unfortunately routinely performed on these revolvers for sale in the U.S. after the war.

Some 38 Specials were sent to England during the war but the number was quite small. If this is an original 38 Special then great... but I doubt it.

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