Quote:
Originally Posted by grampagunz
I recently bought a 38 S&W 2" barrel Victory revolver. Serial number is v143595 on butt, rear face of cylinder and rear of yoke seen through cylinder hole. No lanyard in open hole. Finish is parkerized or similar. Marked "United States Property on left top strap. Previous owner had ejector rod replaced by S&W. Stamped BNP beneath a crown between front of cylinder and barrel and at rear of each cylinder flute. Left side of frame has crossed swords and H B 2. W.E and flaming bomb on butt as well as the letter p. I assume the barrel has been changed as it has no markings other than 95 on bottom above ejector rod. Non standard checkered plastic diamond grips. Can you provide any info on this old beauty?
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Probably from about November 1942. It sounds very much like a chopped .38/200 BSR, having a 2" barrel as you describe. They didn't come that way from the factory.
Immense numbers of surplus S&W .38/200 revolvers were imported in the 1950s and 1960s and "chopped and bored" for better marketability in the USA, where they were sold mail order at prices in the $30 range. Barrels were cut off to 2" and 3" lengths, .38 S&W chambers were bored out to accept .38 Special cartridges, they were re-finished or plated, and replacement grips added (any or all of those atrocities). Consequently, they have no collector value, and are worth only whatever someone will pay for a shooter.
The BNP markings were proof markings applied in England prior to release by the British government for civilian sale. "United States Property" (or later "U. S. Property") topstrap stampings on these indicated Lend-Lease supply to allied countries, mainly the British Commonwealth.