Help to identify 38 S&W CTG with strange markings

[gatormarine]

Hello I have a 38 S&W CTG with Made in USA on the side plate and the top strap. Ser number is 88308X with a WB and ordnance bomb and small f on butt strap. Also on side plate I have D up arrow D, FTR/MA5G an additional L over arrow 61 and an additional larger up arrow.
Also looks like an import stamp VEGA SAC CA.

Any help I can get would be wonderful.

[jrhoney]

Sounds like a pre M&P or a victory model. Can you post a few pictures?

[murphydog]

The extra stampings are from an Australian rebuild, probably in 1956. The gun itself is probably a pre-Victory Model series contract gun from 1941, most commonly seen with a 5" barrel. Hope this is helpful.

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by murphydog

The extra stampings are from an Australian rebuild, probably in 1956. The gun itself is probably a pre-Victory Model series contract gun from 1941, most commonly seen with a 5" barrel. Hope this is helpful.

You nailed it. MA is Munitions Australia. The CTG means Cartridges, the .38 S&W (NOT .38 Special) being the sort that the gun shoots.

I'm always baffled that people can't see a caliber marking with CTG after and not be able to realize that it means Cartridges.

The gun is basically the Military & Police Model, Model of 1905, 4th Change. The arsenal rebuilds have a dull gray finish. Prior to April, 1942, the finish was originally blued, and barrels of four, five, and six inches were supplied. After April, 1942, only five-inch barrels and dull gray finishes were shipped.

The stocks were originally checkered with a silver medallion at top. The later guns had smooth walnut grip plates.

"Made in U.S.A." is not on the side plate, is it? More liikely on the frame forward of the sideplate.

[Waidmann]

^Spot on!

W.

[Texas Star]

BTW, that "up arrow" is the Broad Arrow, signifying Crown property.

[2152hq]

D^D ,,Australian Dept of Defense,,marking in use since the 1920's before that a single D and side facing broadarrow.

FTR,,,Factory Through Repair (Factory Rebuild)

Lithgow (Australia) Factory 1956
(MA was their 'factory code' used in marking the parts and completed arms since the mid 1920's)

VEGA Imports, Sacramento California ,,one of many surplus arms importers headquartered in CA., many w/Sacramento addresses.
May have been owned by the same people that owned IAC (Import Arms Co), not that it makes any difference.
Importers markings required as of 1986.

[gatormarine]

Here are the photos and yes it has US property on the top and on the side. Hope the photos go though. Never done this one before.

[gatormarine]

few more photos

[gatormarine]

any idea on worth in the current market? I cant find any match on Gun broker or gun's America.

[2152hq]

the L/^/6 is a Lithgow Factory inspectors mark. Punched as a final inspection to the FTR work.
At the time the #6 was assigned to a specific person and the mark would ID him/her.

Looks like a stack of numbers at the end of the line there indicating the year of FTR.
Which ever of the ones in the stack is stamped 'through' the parkerized finish is the one that belongs to the FTR year date.
All the FTR stampings are done after the gun is finished, including the parkerized finish.
The old WW2 'D^D mark' and a single broadarrow mark are under the new FTR finish now which is correct.

[jrd1976]

I looked at the exact same gun with the same markings in my LGS yesterday. The action was smooth with good timing, but the finish was pitted under the new parkerizing. This one had NOT been bored out to accept 38 S&W Special cartridges.

The 38 S&W Special cartridge is superior to the 38 S&W, which are always round nose lead bullets.

It was marked $325. You can get a used Model 10 for about the same price or less. The 38 Special cartridge is much more common, and comes in many more bullet types.

[w10085]

I would put it in the $200-250 range. The import mark and the rebuild brings the price down about $100. I have bought several on Gunbroker. I enjoy shooting mine with my 38 S&W reloads. I really like them.