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03-23-2011, 12:58 PM
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K200 British Service Revolver-(?)
Found this at my local pawn & gun today. I haven't bought it as it is just another caliber I'd need to reload for.
I believe it is a K200 38/200 British Service Revolver. It has a 6" barrel, marked .38 S&W and it will not take a .38 Special round. The newest patent date on the barrel is Dec 14. There are no British proof marks anywhere on the gun. SN: 6964XX. I am sure it is refinished as there is light pitting under the finish on the barrel. There is no evidence, that I can see, of a refinish other than the pitting. All the markings are crisp and pins are rounded where they should be. Mechanical function is excellent.
I'll post my cell phone pics but they are rough.
Any thoughts as to value?
Thanks,
Dave
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03-23-2011, 01:07 PM
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It appears to be one of the WW2 Lend Lease revolvers sent to the Allies, chambered in .38/200, which is the .38 S&W caliber in the US. The grips have been changed from the WW2 smooth walnut type to the 1920s style S&W grips. What is the serial number, and are the numbers all matching on the butt, cylinder & barrel? It should not have British proofs as it is a military gun and they were not proofed, unless they were sold as surplus after WW2 to a British gun dealer for retail in England. This gun is one of many that came back to the US from Allied inventories sold off after WW2 to US dealers, or brought back by a G.I. as a war relic. Ed.
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03-23-2011, 01:24 PM
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SN:6964XX
Numbers match, as I recall.
Thanks,
Dave
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03-23-2011, 01:55 PM
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"...it is just another caliber I'd need to reload for."
You say that like it's a bad thing. I'm up to about 26 calibers that I now reload. Another set of dies doesn't take up that much space.
"Any thoughts as to value? "
What was the dealer asking for it?
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03-23-2011, 02:06 PM
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Value: As it is not in original configuration (wrong stocks, probable refinish), it will not appeal to collectors of authentic militaria. On the other hand, it looks to be in good condition for what it is; as a high-grade shooter (though in a caliber that almost mandates reloading) it can probably bring $250-300.
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David Wilson
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03-23-2011, 02:20 PM
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That is an early gun that would have had checkered medallion stocks.
It would have had a blue finish that was not as highly polished as earlier commercial guns.
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Regards,
Lee Jarrett
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03-23-2011, 02:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SaxonPig
"...it is just another caliber I'd need to reload for."
You say that like it's a bad thing. I'm up to about 26 calibers that I now reload. Another set of dies doesn't take up that much space.
"Any thoughts as to value? "
What was the dealer asking for it?
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26! I only currently reload for 6 calibers. Your point is well taken.
Dealer offered it to me at $300 OTD.
I'd go $250 and be fairly pleased.
Thanks,
Dave
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03-23-2011, 02:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handejector
That is an early gun that would have had checkered medallion stocks.
It would have had a blue finish that was not as highly polished as earlier commercial guns.
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I gave the local shop my SCSW #2 when I bought #3. It does show checkered stocks and refers to a (as I recall) blasted blue finish. That is what the finish looks like.
My cellphone pics are ****. This is a nice looking revolver with nothing "buggered"
Thanks,
Dave
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03-23-2011, 02:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opoefc
It appears to be one of the WW2 Lend Lease revolvers sent to the Allies, chambered in .38/200, which is the .38 S&W caliber in the US. The grips have been changed from the WW2 smooth walnut type to the 1920s style S&W grips.Ed.
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It is not a Lend Lease nor British contract gun since it has a 6" barrel (they had 5" ones). In 1940 the British purchased anything that they could, including 6" S&W M&Ps in 38 S&W. I have one such gun marked to the Royal Air Force (RAF). The S/N is correct for that period and the grips look correct as well.
Peter
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03-23-2011, 04:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PJGP
It is not a Lend Lease nor British contract gun since it has a 6" barrel (they had 5" ones). In 1940 the British purchased anything that they could, including 6" S&W M&Ps in 38 S&W. I have one such gun marked to the Royal Air Force (RAF). The S/N is correct for that period and the grips look correct as well.
Peter
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Wrong.
They were provided with 4, 5, and 6 inch barrels till around April, 1942. After April 10, 1942, only the 5 inch was produced.
Those non medallion grips the OP pictures CANNOT be correct, since the checkered non-medallion grips ceased to be used in the 1929-30 period.
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Lee Jarrett
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03-23-2011, 05:01 PM
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In my non-expert opinion $300 is not bad at all for a somewhat unusual gun. The 4" and 5" military guns from WWII are much more common than are the 6" versions.
The 38 S&W is easy to load and the guns shoot great.
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03-23-2011, 06:17 PM
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Thanks for all the information.
Dave
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03-24-2011, 06:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by handejector
Wrong.
They were provided with 4, 5, and 6 inch barrels till around April, 1942. After April 10, 1942, only the 5 inch was produced.
Those non medallion grips the OP pictures CANNOT be correct, since the checkered non-medallion grips ceased to be used in the 1929-30 period.
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I stand corrected! I must also say that I missed the fact that the grips had no medalions.
Peter
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