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03-15-2012, 06:58 PM
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K-200 Designation for Victory Model?
I have seen several references to the .38/200 (.38 S&W) version of the S&W V-model made for the UK during WWII as being a "K-200". Was this an official factory or military designation for the UK version, or just someone's slang nomenclature to distinguish it from the .38 Special version used by US forces?
Last edited by DWalt; 03-15-2012 at 07:00 PM.
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03-15-2012, 07:15 PM
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Precisely speaking the Victory Model is the 4" .38 Special and the K-200 is the 5" British Service Revolver in .38-200 (or .38 S&W). They are serial numbered concurrently (both have the V).
Having said that there are myriad deviations in barrel length. The K-200s were built to commercial standards from around number 640XXX in early 1940. The Victory from early 1942 at about 950XXX.
I doubt any but the most persnickety will chide you for saying "British Victory".
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03-15-2012, 07:16 PM
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These revolvers are actually Military & Police Models of 1905, 4 Change that were chambered for the 38 S&W cartridge with a 200 grain bullet. The factory called it the 38/200 British Service Revolver as it was designed to fire British service ammunition. Later the British changed their specifications and used a slightly lighter bullet of 178 grains or so.
Hope this helps.
Steve
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03-15-2012, 07:23 PM
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Allow me to clarify that my actual question requests only the source of the K-200 designation, and not anything about the revolver itself. I'd think if the "K-200" was not bestowed by either the S&W factory or some branch of the UK military, then, even though descriptive (the -200 part probably referring to the .38/200) it is not an "Official" model name. So who started calling it that, and when? My question is raised as I have never seen the K-200 moniker mentioned in any authoritative publications about S&W products. But I haven't read anywhere near all of them.
Last edited by DWalt; 03-15-2012 at 08:32 PM.
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03-15-2012, 08:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
I know about the UK version of the V-model, but allow me to clarify that my actual question is what is the source of the K-200 designation? I'd think if it was not bestowed by either the S&W factory or some branch of the UK military, then, even though descriptive (the -200 part probably referring to the .38/200) it is not an "Official" model name. So who started calling it that?
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Although officially the factory referenced it as the 38/200 British Svc Rev, Neal & Jinks, pg 137, K200 has the ring of in-house factory terminology such as K22, K22/40, etc. Sometimes these 'backroom' terms became part of the official Model name like K22 in K22 Masterpiece or K22 Combat Masterpiece. Most of the terms however stayed at the factory until resurected by collectors.
My money is on a factory in-house official or nickname designation.
You may not be able to get as definitive an answer as you wish but your best chance is Jink's two books.
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03-15-2012, 08:59 PM
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Okay DWalt, I yield. The SCSW so describes it. My factory letter says,"nicknamed 38/200 British Service revolver". Pate's book uses/reproduces: M&P, blue, .38-200, 4" or 5" or 6"; Revolver, caliber .38/200, Smith & Wesson Military and Police Model; S&W .38 Regular.
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03-15-2012, 09:50 PM
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Based upon the foregoing, I'll presume, absent further documented information, that K-200 is a non-official designation of unknown origin which is used by some S&W collectors to describe the S&W 38/200 British Service Revolver of the WWII period. That should suffice for the present time. Should I determine otherwise I will post a followup.
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03-16-2012, 02:41 PM
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A British army veteran told me that the "Official" UK military nomenclature of the .38/200 British Service Revolver was "Pistol, Smith & Wesson, No. 2" The British Enfield .380 revolver (using the .380 MkI and MkII cartridges, same as the .38 S&W) was called the "Pistol, Revolver, No. 2". Go figure.
Last edited by DWalt; 03-17-2012 at 05:20 PM.
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03-16-2012, 05:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
Based upon the foregoing, I'll presume, absent further documented information, that K-200 is a non-official designation of unknown origin which is used by some S&W collectors to describe the S&W 38/200 British Service Revolver of the WWII period. That should suffice for the present time. Should I determine otherwise I will post a followup.
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I think that covers it. It's probably a slang term.
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03-16-2012, 06:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
Based upon the foregoing, I'll presume, absent further documented information, that K-200 is a non-official designation of unknown origin which is used by some S&W collectors to describe the S&W 38/200 British Service Revolver of the WWII period. That should suffice for the present time. Should I determine otherwise I will post a followup.
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You can probably find more in the one of the two Roy Jink's books. Most libraries have them.
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Jim
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cartridge, combat masterpiece, commercial, jinks, k22, masterpiece, military, scsw, smith & wesson, smith and wesson, victory, wwii |
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