Info Please on a .38 S&W Revolver

[18kperhr]

I bought this revolver many years ago without giving it much thought as to what it was aside from a S & W revolver. Got it out recently, bought some .38 special ammo and found the ammo wouldn't fit. Got me to researching the revolver which led me to a lot of good info. and this forum.

I am very curious to know what you can tell me about this revolver other than .38 spl. ammo doesn't fit (LOL). So have at it and remember I had nothing to do with its current condition.

Serial # (on butt) 730837
Number on Yoke: 66838
Small "P" on forward end of butt.

I look forward to your replies.

Thanking all of you in advance and hoping all the best to you and yours in the New Year.

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Looks like a WWII British Service Revolver. When you say .38 Spec won't fit, do you mean it won't fully insert? What caliber is stamped on the barrel? .38 S&W? Most of these we see have had the cylinder reamed to accept the .38 Special cartridge. Yours has been refinished in nickel but still chambers .38 S&W...odd. The .38 S&W cartridge is a predecessor to the .38 Special. It is slightly wider in diameter and shorter in length. You can still buy them in the big box sporting goods stores like Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, Academy Sports and Gander Mountain. They are typically more expensive than .38 Special.

BTW, the hole in the butt was for a lanyard ring.

[DWalt]

If the situation as you describe exists, it must mean that the revolver was chambered in .38 S&W caliber. If so, that should be stamped on the right side of the barrel. If so, a ,38 Special cartridge will not chamber completely, and there is no reasonable cure other than to use .38 S&W cartridges in it. From the serial number provided, I'd bet it is a pre-Victory .38/200 M&P as made for the British Commonwealth military during the WWII era, and it would have shipped in about early 1941. Unfortunately, .38 S&W ammunition is somewhat difficult to find and will be expensive. But it is still available.

[ordnanceguy]

18K:

Wiregrassguy properly identified your revolver as a British Service Revolver, or what collectors also refer to as one of the many flavors of the pre-Victory guns. It has been refinished to nickel from its original blue finish. There also appears to be a Canadian military property marking on the left frame above the grip panel (a broad arrow within the letter C). Many of these guns served in the Canadian armed forces in WW2. Your example likely shipped from the S&W factory in the January-February, 1941 time frame.