I picked up a revolver today that I am trying to get some info on. It was tagged as a .38 Special Victory Model, but some research after I got it home seems to indicate otherwise.

It is nickel plated with a 2.5-3inch barrel and fake stag grips(obviously not original to the gun). The lanyard loop has been removed and the hole plugged. The cylinder is marked "England" and there are several "BNP" proof marks on the cylinder with the letters below a crown. The same proofmark appears on the frame forward of the triggerguard. The serial # is 8720XX, and is on the butt and the rear of the cylinder.

Any info is appreciated. I'll try to get some pictures up ASAP.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: joker581,

Pics would be needed here to get the most info. Closeups of all markings and both sides of barrel along with butt without grips. Also measure the barrel length from front of cylinder to end of barrel.

Joker,

Based on the partial SN you supplied, your gun is more likely a "pre-Victory Model" chambered for the .38 S&W (aka, .38-200) that was shipped circa December, 1941. It is not unusual to see these guns with the described postwar British civilian proof markings ("BNP" = Birmingham Nitro Proof), cut-down barrels and, even, "rechambered" to .38 Special. (Check to see if the cylinder will accept a .38 Special round, but firing them is *not* recommended as the loose fit leads to split cases.) Cut-down, rechambered Victory & pre-Victory Models so modified are sometimes referred to as an "Oswald Special," due to the use of a similarly modified gun by Lee Harvey Oswald.

Whether this gun is also a "pre-Lend Lease" gun depends on whether there is (or, was) a "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marking on the top strap. (It may have been ground off when the barrel was shortened and before it was refinished.) This is the time period when Smith began shipping the arms authorized by the Lend Lease Act, but they were still shipping the last of the privately purchased guns. If a factory letter indicates it was shipped to the British Purchasing Commission, it's a pre-Lend Lease private purchase; if it shows shipment to the Hartford Ordnance District, it originally had the Lend Lease "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" top strap markings.

Please post the requested pictures and, if you wish to have your gun included in the database of these revolvers maintained by my friend, Charlie (ordnanceguy) and me, please post or e-mail me the complete serial number. (You may reach me off-forum at LWCmdr45acpNOSPAM@yahoo.com, removing the "NOSPAM," of course.)

Steve

This really does sound like an "Oswald gun". Does it even still have the front cylinder lock under the barrel?

MANY of the surplus British .38's were butchered in this manner to make them more saleable to the average member of the US public.

T-Star

The cylinder lock from the barrel is gone. On further inspection, it appears that the front sight was inserted in a slot cut in the barrel.

It will chamber .38 Special ammunition, but they seem to slide a bit when the cylinder is closed. Is this thing even safe to shoot?

Pics should be up soon.

Your revolver has a barrel that was sold by Numrich Arms in the late 60s. They all had the front sight yours does and british proofs.

I purchased several and installed them on victories and model 10s.

After someone installed the barrel on yours they had the piece nickeled.

Many of the british victories were 38 s&w not special. At the time that the barrels were being sold, some gunsmiths would also ream out the cylinders to accept 38 special.

As to safety, the quality of the work depended on the gunsmith. I'd have it checked by a gunsmith before shooting. Don't like the sound of cartridges sliding around inside the chamber.


Joe Sharpe
Destin, FL

Are the barrels .38 Special?

The cartridges don't seem to move much(if any) more than the ones in my modern M-638.

The place I bought it at is pretty reputable, so I think I can probably take it back if it is suspect(I paid for a .38 Special and that is what I expect for my money).

J

In my view, this is a gun you do not need. It has zero collector value,
a cut barrel and no support for the end of the extractor rod. If it snags on
anything at all, it will get bent.

I see no upside to owning this gun. If it were me, I'd take it back, noting
that the barrel has been cut, and probably the cylinder has been reamed to
accept 38 special.

Later, Mike Priwer

Yep..."Bubba's Gunsmithing and Beauty Supply"

quote:

Originally posted by mikepriwer:
I see no upside to owning this gun. If it were me, I'd take it back, noting
that the barrel has been cut, and probably the cylinder has been reamed to
accept 38 special.

I think I will be taking it back.

I bought it as a beater, so collector's value isn't an issue but not being a .38 Special certainly is. It seems to me that the best I could hope for it to be is a halfassed conversion, and I paid too much to be settling for that crap.

Thanks for all of the good info, guys.

Good Idea!!!