I'm looking at a British Service Revolver, serial number 8869xx, with FTR and Australian markings (sorry no camera for pics).

It has smooth, military stocks that look varnished. What was the original finish of these stocks? (I've heard it was linseed oil, but would appreciate confirmation.)

Also, are stocks of this type likely to be original to a gun in this serial number range?

The gun has a gray phosphate finish. Am I correct to assume this finish is not original?

Can anyone assign a production year to this revolver?

Sorry for all the questions, but military surplus S&Ws are new territory for me.

TIA.

quote:

It has smooth, military stocks that look varnished. What was the original finish of these stocks? (Also, are stocks of this type likely to be original to a gun in this serial number range?

The gun has a gray phosphate finish. Am I correct to assume this finish is not original?

Can anyone assign a production year to this revolver?

Jimmy:

You can pull the right stock panel off and see if the number matches the butt serial but I would doubt it. The stocks should be the checkered walnut service stocks. And yes, the proper finish for the smooth walnut stocks would be boiled linseed oil.

The original finish would have been a sandblast blue. Virtually all of the Aussie guns that were FTR'ed were refinished in the process.

No one can say when the gun was produced as the factory did not record that information. What it did record was the ship date. In this case the revolver would likely have shipped in the December, 1941 to January, 1942 time frame.

Perhaps you could email me the complete serial number along with the left top strap and butt markings for inclusion in the pre-Victory and Victory Model Database. You can reach me at cflick@seippflickNOSPAM.com and remove the NOSPAM, of course. Thanks in advance.

Hope that information helps you.

Regards,
Charlie Flick
S&WCA #729
NRA Life

I have a Pre Victroy with the Aussie FTR rebuild. Roy gave me a date of just 1941. Is yours a Pre or a "V"?

Jimmy,

FWIW My son has an 841823 S&W M&P series 1905 4th change .38 S&W (frame and barrel only - a 'derelict' bought from SOG for $50).

It's the top one in this picture:


Its S/N is fairly close to yours (about 45K difference)so I'll relate what I found out about it to you.

Ordnanceguy gave me this info on it from his database:

"RonJon:

The Database indicates that 841823 was likely shipped in the October, 1941 time frame. I think chances are good that it was shipped to the British Purchasing Commission."

RonJon

My Pre-Victory is S/N 8333XX. Not too far distant from yours. Looks like you have the basis for a "resurection" project. Per Roy, the grips were appropriate on these early Pre Victories. Wither Diamond checkered or smooth were used.

here is mine SN.818855

These posts are very helpful--thanks a lot.

Besides pure interest, the main reason I'm looking so hard at this revolver is it's been offered to me for sale. I wasn't sure what to look for, but have a better idea now.

But this leads to more questions, about condition and price. Here goes.

As stated above, the gun is parked. It does not look like it has been used since it was rearsenaled. It has a few light scuffs in the finish and a flaw or two in the parkerization (on the yoke), but is quite nice on the whole. Bore and charge-holes are mirror bright. The color case hardening is strong on the hammer and trigger. All serial numbers match, except I haven't removed the stocks. Does this sound like a pretty decent specimen, or not?

Two things, though. The timing is off for a couple of the charge-holes, insofar as the hammer can be cocked without the cylinder's rotating far enough to lock. I'm told cleaning and oiling may cure this, but really don't know. I may not shoot the gun, but would like it to be shootable.

The other thing is the front sight is canted a bit to the left. I don't see many S&Ws this old, so I don't know how common this was. However, either the factory or the arsenal caught the problem (if it was a problem), because the top of the front sight has been carefully shaped to be level across the top with respect to the rear sight. The shaping is under the finish.

Any perspective on the timing and front sight would be appreciated.

The price: $419. A friend tells me he's seen pre-Victory models in comparable condition sell for about $100 more at area gun shows. This little bit is as much as I know about the value.

Thanks again.

Your description sounds typical. My understanding that the shipping Company just tossed a bunch of them in a big box together for shipping back to the States. Explains the little bumps & dings. Mine also has a "flaw" in the park finish, on the crane where it rotates down when you open the cylinder. Like something kept the parkerizing off of a small spot (about a 1/4"). I didn'tgive near this much for mine, but I have heard the recent prices keep going up. Does the cylinder carry up when you cycle it double action? It ususlly will, and yes cleaning will help. My bore and chambers were also "bright". Mine had been chamber modified to take 38 Specials, but as usual, if you use Specials in it it will swell the brass and it will stick in the chamber. I have shot S&W ammo in it fine, and I have obtained a Special cylinder and fit it and it also shoots fine.

quote:

The price: $419. A friend tells me he's seen pre-Victory models in comparable condition sell for about $100 more at area gun shows. This little bit is as much as I know about the value.

Thanks again.

Don't confuse asking price with selling price. At a recent gunshow I attended the average asking price for a m64 was $350. I didn't see any change hands.