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11-16-2009, 09:19 PM
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6 shot 38 Revolver
I was recently given a S&W 6 shot .38. It has no model number, but the words 3 1/2 TONS, the letter V, the letters BNP and what appears to be a crown are stamped on the bottom of the barrel. It has fixed rear sights and a slick front sight. It also has a five digit number 46404 stamped inside the cylinder on the frame front strap.The serial number is 296899. Can anyone advise to a possible model number or era of manufacture? Thanks, Chief
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11-16-2009, 09:45 PM
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Looks like a Victory model that was chopped and a new sight installed.
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11-16-2009, 09:52 PM
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Victory Model
Thanks for the info. Good starting place.
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11-16-2009, 09:55 PM
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Your description and the photo makings indicate a WWII Lend-Lease "Victory" model revolver provided to the British Government.
The BNP means "British Nitro Proof", the 7 12 Tonnes is the chamber pressure rating for the .38 S&W cartridge, and the shortened barrel and added front sight looks like the work of Cogswell and Harrison, a firm that converted thousands of said surplus revolvers after WWII, marked them in accordance with British law, and exported them.
This model was the wartime production of the Military and Police model, or what became known as the Model 10 after 1957.
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11-16-2009, 09:55 PM
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Surely somebody smarter than me will chime in and tell you EXACTLY what you have there.
My dad's (mine now) Victory is also one of those that wears the after market nickel finish and gawdy plastic "stag" grips. Mine is a 4 incher.
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11-16-2009, 10:00 PM
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Most of the marks (BNP, 3 1/2 Tons, crown, etc.) are British proof marks which indicates that the gun was sold commercially in England at some point. (All firearms had to be proofed before they coild be offered for sale.)
Is there a "V" on the other end of the butt from the serial number? Any sign of a hole for a lanyard ring? The "46404" in the crane cutout is an assembly number and is meaningless.
__________________
Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446
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11-17-2009, 06:32 PM
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Thanks very much, there is a V opposite of the serial number it also appears to have something that resembles a set of crossed swords on the bottom of the barrel. Do you have any idea what it might be worth? Chief
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11-17-2009, 07:27 PM
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Welcome to the forum
Someone should also have mentioned that your gun was chambered originally for 38 S&W NOT 38 special. Some of these guns got their chambers lengthened to accept a 38 spl, but the diameter of the 38 S&W is bigger than 38 spl and the specials will split the cases. The 38 S&W will probably still shoot alright in it.
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01-04-2015, 05:27 PM
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Need some help I have a 38 Chome plated 2" heavy frame square butt starts with the letter V 64---- but on the inside of the frame it has a 4 numers starting with 33-- any help on went this could have been made came from my Grandfater would love to know when it was made
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