So I recently acquired an old 2nd model .38 that I believe to be a German copy, but I cannot find much online about it and id love to know exactly what I have here. As far as any markings it does have the "u crown" proof marks, as well as a trademark stamped "E.S". It seems to be in very nice shape. Does anyone have any information on this at all? I know that information on German gunsmiths is scarce, but I figure someone else must have one, right? I don't think it's going to be much of a shooter, but does anyone know if ammo is still available for one of these? Ive read that some people load modern PPV 38 s&w ammo into these without any issues but I'm not too sure about that..any help is much appreciated. Thanks in advance

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It's possible that your revolver is a Smith & Wesson .38 Second Model, 2nd Issue. Many were exported and that may be where the proof marks were added. Does it have the Smith & Wesson barrel address on the barrel rib?

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Mike Maher #283

Welcome to the Forum ! You are correct.(Mike, take a closer look !) It's a very good copy of a Smith & Wesson 2nd model .38 top break revolver, down to the close copy of the logo on the frame and hard rubber stocks. Probably made in Europe, although if the logo is faked the proof mark may also be a fake. U w/crown is a German mark. It will probably shoot back powder equivalent ammo. OK, however I would call the gun more of a curiosity that a shooter, to be safe. Ed.

Welcome to the forum.

As Ed stated, enlarged the logo and stock medallion are not an intertwined S&W but rather a copiers close facsimile. It is a neat looking copy but unfortunately not the real item.

If chambered for .38 S&W, ammo is currently available.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Sorry folks. My IE based computer won't let me enlarge the photos on this forum. I couldn't see the finer details.

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Mike Maher #283

looks a nice thing.
Try

Photos d'armes de collection

its mostly Belgium but has other stuff as well

Mike, the trick that I use is to copy the photo and then paste it into an outgoing email. Once it is in my email, I am able to resize the photo up to 100%. If that doesn't do it I resize it again another 100%. Much more than that the photos usually get too blurry and it doesn't help.

Not sure if you can do that on your computer but it works for me.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Thanks everyone! There are no other markings for Smith and Wesson on the barrel, and the dealer I bought it from was pretty certain it wasn't a Smith and Wesson as well. And I definitely agree with Ed, unless I know exactly who made this thing I'm not going to risk shooting it. It was bought as a collectors piece anyways!