Howdy boys. I found another 1905 at the Phoenix Gun Show on Sunday. It's a 4th change, serial number 903xxx.I don't know if it has blue on it or a patina, but I would call it about 60 to 75%. It has a 5 inch barrel, and has "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" on the left side of the top strap. On the butt plate, it has the serial, the ordinance bomb, and WB.It is a nice gun and is very tight. It is a 38 S&W, not 38 special.
The bore is like new as are the chambers. I got it for $250.Grips are old magna style, and are not origial to this gun. I wish I knew how to enter pictures on this forum. This is a nice one.

Hey, I forgot to say it has a lanyard ring on the butt.

Congrats on your new find!

Sounds like a pre-Victory "Lend Lease" revolver made for our Allies.
It should have some extra stampings on the cylinder and barrel.

Post some pics when you get a chance!

digi-shots...... Yes, I thought it was a lend lease too but the absence of the other marks tells me it was targeted for Europe but never was shipped. What do you think???????

The period your gun shipped from S&W (circa Jan., 1942) was the time when the factory was transitioning from the prewar Bright Blue finsih and checkered walnut stocks (with medallions) to a more utilitarian Brushed Blue finish and plain (uncheckered without medllions) stocks. The absence of any postwar British civilian proofs doesn't necessarily indicate it was not shipped to an Ally; rather, it means to me that it was "liberated" by a soldier and returned to North America in a duffle bag. Those Smiths we see with the many British proofs were those that were mustered out of service and sold as surplus in the late '50s and later.

If you would care to have your gun entered in the database on these models maintained by my friend, Charlie (ordnanceguy) and me, please post the full serial number and any other markings (proofs, inspector's initials), if any, or e-mail me off-forum at LWCmdr45acpNOSPAM@yahoo.com (and delete the "NOSPAM," of course).

Steve