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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 03-27-2012, 08:45 AM
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Default Please identify this 38 S&W

4in barrel sn#769292
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Old 03-27-2012, 08:55 AM
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Default model #

Does the gun have a model # on the flat spot on the frame only visible with the cylinder open? Something like 15, or 15-2 with your sn#. Also is there a letter in the sn like a k or s?
A picture always helps, and makes you more popular.
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Old 03-27-2012, 09:10 AM
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M&P Model 1905, 3rd Model, 4th Change.
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Old 03-27-2012, 10:08 AM
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the only numbers i can see are


#8356
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Old 03-27-2012, 10:18 AM
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We need photos or more information, but it is most likely a .38/200 British contract gun from just before WW II. These were usually 5" barreled guns, so measure from the cylinder face to the muzzle. A small quantity were made for South Africa in this time frame, so it may be one of these guns if it is an original 4".
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Old 03-27-2012, 10:41 AM
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what kind of pics
and the barrel is 4in
the numbers on the but and cyilander match
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Old 03-27-2012, 11:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murphydog View Post
We need photos or more information, but it is most likely a .38/200 British contract gun from just before WW II. These were usually 5" barreled guns, so measure from the cylinder face to the muzzle. A small quantity were made for South Africa in this time frame, so it may be one of these guns if it is an original 4".

Four-inch barrels were not limited to South African use, and there were also six-inchers prior to April, 1942.

What caliber is marked on the right side of the barrel, .38 S&W Ctg., or .38 Special Ctg.? Does the gun have Crown properrty marks (looks like a stylized arrowhead, called the Broad Arrow) or proof marks?

Did you measure barrel length from the cylinder face to muzzle? Remember, some of that barrel is within the frame!

The photos are jusr red X's.

Last edited by Texas Star; 03-27-2012 at 12:00 PM.
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Old 03-27-2012, 12:29 PM
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Old 03-27-2012, 01:01 PM
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Sorry, mate, no go. Just red X's. Someone will tell you how to post pics. For now, just answer my questions, and that may ID the gun.

Keep in mind that if it WAS a Commonwealth .38 S&W that many unscrupulous dealers converted some to fire .38 Special after the Crown sold the guns as surplus. That was a bad idea. Cartridge cases may crack or split in the wider chambers.

I hope you have an original commercial .38 Special.

However, if it is a British gun, and is unaltered, British military collectors do like them!
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Old 03-27-2012, 02:53 PM
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That's messed up the pics show up on my screen
On the barrel it looks like k38 S&W ctg and symbol
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Old 03-27-2012, 03:02 PM
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Old 03-27-2012, 03:07 PM
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Beefman, the underlying message code makes it look like your photos are embedded in a gmail message. If you can forward the photos to me in an email, I'll get them untangled and post them for you. Try me here: wilsondc(AT)gmail(DOT)com, making the obvious substitutions.
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Old 03-27-2012, 03:10 PM
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thank you, i am new to this i will send you the pics via e-mail.
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Old 03-27-2012, 09:16 PM
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Default Photos for the Original Poster

Here are some photos of Beefman's revolver. I think they were not getting posted because they exceeded the filesize limits of the forum. I put them into a photobucket folder so they would appear here.












There were some other photos that probably don't need to be posted because these tell the tale. This gun is a refinished British Service Revolver from (probably) 1941. If there were any acceptance or proof marks on the gun, they must have been polished off before it got its new shiny exterior. I can't tell if the chambers have been bored out to take .38 Special, but the cleaner charge holes don't seem to show different rings for two different cartridge case lengths. The stocks are not original, and design features mean they date from 1968 or later. Note that the lanyard loop has been removed and the swivel hole beside the serial number has been plugged.

This gun is one of the "first million" of S&W .38 M&P revolvers. The model was introduced in 1899 and went through some fairly quick evolution until 1915, when it stabilized for about 30 years. Further modifications to the basic design came along in 1945 and 1948.

The first million serial numbers were exhausted in early 1942 during wartime production, and the second million were given a V prefix (for Victory) to distinguish earlier and later guns that otherwise had the same ID based on the numerals alone. For this reason, the last guns of the first million that were produced under military contract are sometimes called Pre-Victory revolvers.
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Old 03-27-2012, 09:38 PM
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thank you for your help DCWilson. how would i know what to buy for ammo and what do you think the gun is worth? and thanks again for your help DCWilson.
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Old 03-27-2012, 09:57 PM
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The gun was originally chambered for .38 S&W, and nothing has happened that would keep the gun from shooting that ammo. If it was bored out to take .38 Special cartridges, you'd have to try one for fit in order to find out. The .38 Special case is longer, so if you can't get it all the way into the cylinder, the gun has not been converted.

That's both bad and good, because .38 S&W ammo is expensive unless you buy it in bulk from internet ammo houses. If you reload, you can roll your own ammo at a reasonable cost.

If the gun will take .38 Special cartridges, that also is a good news/bad news situation. It makes for cheaper shooting but entails a little iffiness. The .38 Special case has a slightly smaller diameter than the .38 S&W, so the rear part of a .38 Special case is not solidly supported in the cylinder. The cases can swell when fired, or even split if you have old ammo or often-reloaded ammo with brittle cases.

I have a converted Victory in which I shoot only .38 S&W. Accuracy may suffer slightly because of the brief instant of unsupported bullet jump, but I don't think it can be significant. Remember that these were utilitarian weapons, not target revolvers.

AFTERTHOUGHT: Missed your question about value. This is a shooter grade gun and would probably be fairly priced in the $200-275 range.
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Last edited by DCWilson; 03-27-2012 at 10:01 PM. Reason: Value.
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Old 07-28-2014, 10:46 PM
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Default please help identify

I just purchased a k frame square butt nickel plated .38 six shot.
the numbers on the crane are k 539. the numbers on the butt are V 645535. any help would be much appreciated
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Old 07-28-2014, 11:17 PM
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Should start a new thread.

If it has a 4" barrel and says 38 SPECIAL on the barrel it's a U.S. version of the Victory Model from WW II.

If it has a 5" barrel and it says 38 S&W (no Special) it's the British version and was not made for the common 38 Special ammo. The 38 S&W is hard to find and more costly.
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Old 07-28-2014, 11:23 PM
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769292 is a .38/200 BSR probably shipped around 5/41. unclear if cylinders have been bored to accept .38 Special, but definitely originals were not nickel plated, and the grips are fairly recent. In any event, as it is not original, the value is minimal.

"unscrupulous dealers"
There was nothing in any way unscrupulous about the surplus weapon importers activities during the 1950s and 60s in modifying the .38/200 revolvers. There was no attempt to deceive buyers, as their actions were taken to convert the BSRs to a form which would be more acceptable and more marketable to U. S. purchasers than if the guns were left in their original form. No one was even thinking about the harm done to their value and future collector interest at that the time - they were just trying to move them out the door.
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Old 08-16-2014, 03:37 PM
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Anyone got a minute to ID this one ?
it's a K38, SN k7788X, (five digits), about 95%.. value on this? dear friend commented that may be worth 1000??? really?

Thank you !!!!
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Old 08-16-2014, 04:17 PM
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K778xx looks like 1949.

I don't like to give value estimates but for a 95% K38 I would offer $450 if buying and ask $550 if selling. To get 1K would require the gun be near perfect with original box. These are nice guns but they are not rare.
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Old 08-16-2014, 04:23 PM
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Super cool !!!! thanks so much for the info !!!!!!!!!!!
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Old 08-16-2014, 04:59 PM
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I can't date K778xx precisely, but it would be in the late 1949-early 1950 timeframe. Different people have different interpretations of percentage condition, so without some some good detailed pictures, and lots of them, it's difficult to provide a value. Local supply/demand variations and how you sell/buy it also make a major difference in value. I'd say $500, plus or minus $100. As previously stated, a $1000 gun would be in top condition with original box. Original SATs (known as screwdrivers to most of the world) of early K-models can bring huge sums all by themselves.
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Old 07-10-2015, 11:32 AM
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Default Please share info on this gun

The serial on the butt says BSE2628. On the side of the barrel it says .38 S&W SPL.

I inherited it and would like to know how old it is and what it is worth. I tried finding it in the huge "bible" of guns at my local library, but couldn't find anything on serial numbers starting with BSE...

Also inherited what seems to be a well used Baretta that I was told was from WWII/Italy. Any help on a website to help me figure out where it came from and its value would also be appreciated. 623049 is on its barrel.

Thank you in advance for your help.
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Old 07-10-2015, 01:15 PM
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Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass neefer65! SN's BSE likely shipped between 1994 and 1996. Value would depend on model and condition. The model number should be stamped inside the yoke with the cylinder swung out to the left. Would read like "MOD 10-10." I suggest you start another thread and post pictures so the experts can give you an estimate
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Old 07-10-2015, 01:50 PM
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Probably a Model 10-9 or 10-10 from 1995.
10-9 (1988): new yoke retention system, radius stud package, floating hand hammer nose bushing for standard barrel
10-10 (1988): new yoke retention system, radius stud package, floating hand hammer nose bushing for heavy barrel

No need to resurrect and tag onto a thread which is over a year old, and in the wrong area. Your S&W question should have been posted in the "S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present" area, but it has already been answered here. Your Beretta question should be posted separately in the "Firearms & Knives - Other Brands" area.

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Old 01-19-2017, 03:19 PM
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Default bought yesterday , cant get info on it

Anyone recognize this S@W M@P in 38 S@W caliber , 5 inch barrel and value ... Ser number 916472
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File Type: jpg UGH104643 S&W left.jpg (45.3 KB, 43 views)
File Type: jpg UGH104643 S&W right (1).jpg (41.6 KB, 42 views)
File Type: jpg UGH104643 S&W top.jpg (39.1 KB, 35 views)
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  #28  
Old 01-19-2017, 04:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinharris62 View Post
Anyone recognize this S@W M@P in 38 S@W caliber , 5 inch barrel and value ... Ser number 916472
Welcome to the forum.

You appear to have a British Service Model from about February/March 1942. Because it has all the features of the Victory model except the serial does not have a V yet, it's sometimes called a pre-Victory.

They were made for Britain and allied nations and by your serial shipped under Lend-lease. It should have a UNITED STATES PROPERTY stamp on the top strap. Does it? Any other markings? The finish seems original.

If it should turn out to be all-original with all matching numbers, a value around $400 plus might be a starting guess.

PS: Just noticed the tag. I'd take it for $349 if the cylinder had not been converted. Frosting on the cake would be a matching serial on the right stock panel.

Last edited by Absalom; 01-19-2017 at 04:39 PM.
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Old 01-19-2017, 09:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Absalom View Post
PS: Just noticed the tag.
Had to chuckle. The tag was the first thing I noticed.

I enlarged the photos and tried some different color tones. I don't see any of the typical proof marks, and I think I can make out the United States Property stamp on the strap.

Wow. I'd be on that like a bunny on clover.
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