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Old 10-02-2017, 09:43 PM
pawncop pawncop is offline
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Default Proof marks on another Colt

Last week I started a thread regarding my Colt Official Police in .32-20. I am very grateful for all the replies.

Sooooo, acquired another Colt Official Police that was their version of the Victory model. The British Purchasing Commission bought over 49,000 of this version.

Mine has the five (5) inch barrel with the barrel stamp 38-200, (the British designation for the 38 New Police - Colt would never call the 38 S&W), the lanyard ring, inventory control number on the butt plate. It has the Colt VP in the small triangle by the trigger guard. It was manufactured in 1941 according to proof house.

It has another proof mark located on the left side plate just above the cylinder release latch. It is a "W" inside a dome like structure.

On the right side plate there is the numeral 3 above four (4) numerals 1080.

I am hoping one of our members can shed light or direct me to a site or book to help me understand these marks

I have searched online but am not finding much.

PS. I have forgotten my login for the Colt forum and have not yet gotten my password renewal.

Thanks to all for any assistance.
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Old 10-02-2017, 10:03 PM
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824tsv 824tsv is offline
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You are going to have to post some clear pic's.
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Old 10-02-2017, 10:43 PM
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Looks like you know most that there is to know about them. These aren't really Colt's version of the Victory, more the pre-Victory BSR, as they did not share the utility finish of the Commando, but had regular commercial finish and stocks. S&W produced the Victory version of the BSR, but Colt did not make a Commando version of the .38-200 revolvers.

The W stamp is the mark of Woolwich arsenal. There are some discussions, including in Pate, about connecting this stamp to the Dutch by way of their queen's name, but this has not been substantiated in any way and makes little sense given the time frame.

The VP, as you probably know, is the Colt "verified proof".

As for the numbers on the side of the frame, I have no first-hand knowledge, but a similar marking on another 38-200 OP, also a single digit over a 4-digit number, was explained as an Australian marking denoting the military district (top) and an inventory number.

Since we know that at least about 12,000 of these went to Australia, maybe more, that seems the best explanation.

PS: Just checked my old notes. The 3 supposedly denotes the 3rd Military District (Victoria). Again, no guarantees

Last edited by Absalom; 10-02-2017 at 10:48 PM.
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Old 10-03-2017, 03:15 PM
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Ask on the British firearms forum on Gunboards. It's astonishing what they can come up with.

And read, The Hundred Days of Lt. McHorton, a war book by Ian McHorton. He had a revolver like yours n Burma as he fled the Japanese. He left his Thompson behind as it was heavy, but took the Colt and I think, a Gurkha khukri knife.

I think this is a Bantam war book, certainly along those lines. Ballantine had a similar series.

Those Colt .38's did see active service. However, after the war, they seem to have been withdrawn and sold. Only Enfield, Webley, and S&W guns were retained.
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Old 10-03-2017, 05:19 PM
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Quote:
It is a "W" inside a dome like structure.
Sounds like the Woolwich Arsenal inspection stamp which would be correct for a gun bought through the BPC.
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