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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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  #1  
Old 05-24-2012, 07:14 PM
wft0461 wft0461 is offline
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Just an up-date on my search for information. I mailed my 50.00 and the form letter last week. I'm thinking that I have a 1941-42 issue, for the Brits. Thanks to you guys, but there's no markings/ stamps to verify. The S&W 38 CTG. on the barrel makes me think it's a 38-200. There is the 4 inch barrel, which I understand they only got 5 & 6 in? 38 special fit the cylinder perfectly? and all the numbers match, frame, cylinder, barrel, and extractor. Maybe S&W can clear up my questions. I haven't fired this pistol with out knowing. It has been well cared for, great shape. I don't think it has been used to often.
thanks again for all your help
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Old 05-24-2012, 09:07 PM
opoefc opoefc is offline
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Are you sure you measured the barrel from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle? Ed.
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Old 05-25-2012, 10:26 AM
wft0461 wft0461 is offline
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Good Day,
I did, from the forcing cone to the end. (4 inches) It would be nice if it had any other markings, beside S&W standard markings. I'll just have to wait and see, what S&W sends. Maybe it was a special service weapon?
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Old 05-25-2012, 09:46 PM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is online now
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I recall reading here on the Forum that some 4" .38 S&W revolvers were shipped to South Africa.
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Old 05-26-2012, 12:00 PM
Heffe Heffe is offline
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you just described the same gun I picked up.
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Old 05-31-2012, 01:48 PM
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Hello, just was checking out the forum. Reading the replys. I'm wondering if the South Africa guns were 38 specials or 38/200? I'm still waiting on my letter from S&W. I'll post the findings when that happens. It made be helpful to others.
Bill
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Old 05-31-2012, 02:20 PM
Texas Star Texas Star is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wft0461 View Post
Hello, just was checking out the forum. Reading the replys. I'm wondering if the South Africa guns were 38 specials or 38/200? I'm still waiting on my letter from S&W. I'll post the findings when that happens. It made be helpful to others.
Bill

They were.38-200's, and South Africa was not the only Commonwealth country to receive them. (South Africa did not leave the Commonwealth until about 1960-61, over the apartheid issue. It then phased from being the Union of SA to the Republic of SA.)

Until April, 1942 barrels of four, five, and six inches were sent, thereafter only five-inch, and the finish went from blue to dull gray, with more tool marks. Checkered commercial stocks gave way to smooth walnut.

This is not arcane rocket science. The knowledge is available in Jinks's, "History of Smith & Wesson" and other references.

If a .38 Special ctg. chambers easily in the cylinder, it has probably been opened up to allow full seating of the longer ctg. This is not a wise conversion, but many surplus dealers made it because .38 Specials are easier to sell!

If the ctg. case splits on firing, you probably have one of these converted guns, although they're supposed to be marked as converted.

However, it wouldn't amaze me if some chambers were just made long enough in manufacture for a .38 Special to chamber, although it shouldn't. I say this because I had two M-19 .357's in the 1960's that were so sloppily made that they'd accept FIRED .38 S&W (not Special ) cases shot in a .38-200! Cases bulged a little, and extraction was difficult. I wrote to Speer about this and to a leading gun scribe. Both told me that S&W was just doing some sloppy work then. Those were the Bangor-Punta ownership years.

It is somewhat possible that similarly sloppy chambering took place in wartime guns, but usually, if a .38 Special ctg. drops in okay, that cylinder has been altered!

I do think that fewer four-inch barrels were sent to Commonwealth countries than five and six inch barrels. I've seen far more of those. Of course, in US useage, the four-inch barrel was normal, in .38 Special chambering. The gray-finished ones with smooth stocks are called Victory Models. (Some collectors insist that the serial number begin with a V or VS. In my view, any of the rough-finished ones are Victories.)

Last edited by Texas Star; 05-31-2012 at 02:22 PM.
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Old 06-06-2012, 05:33 PM
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Hi,
Very interesting stuff, I still haven't shot the pistol yet. I'll have to fire off a couple rounds, and see if the shells suffer any expansion stress. The pistol has a bright blue finish, not dull or gray. Maybe some gunsmithing has been done, it looks fair for 1941-42 era. I just hope it was a good gunsmith, right? Really, the weapon is very sound in every way. very little wear, some holster wear with the blueing. Well, I'm still waiting on the factory letter.
Bill
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