I am trying to research a hand ejector 4th for a friend.
The known;

5" parkerized 38 S&W ctg
Ser# 950,XXX range, no "V"
Not rechambered
No import marks
U.S. property marked on top strap

In the picture included, can anyone identify the markings with the 3 "broad arrow" stamps in the area forward of the trigger guard.

Altho faint, I believe the lettering just under "made in U.S.A." is "not made in England" or similar.

With this limited info, at $300, what say you, play or pass?

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I can't see the stampings clearly, but I suspect the smaller ones may be acceptance and/or unit marks. "Not English Made" was generally stamped before commercial sale, not as a military marking. It appears to have been refinished.

It is a decent deal at $300, but consider that nice unrefinished examples would not run much more than this because of the .38 S & W chambering. Hope this is helpful.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

The arrow under the word 'made' appears to have "L" over the arrow & "19" under.

Anyone able to make sense of this?

That SN would date its shipment at about March 1942. The phosphate finish had not been started by S&W at that time, and the original finish would have been blued. So it's highly probable it was re-finished in phosphate at some later date, and possibly by the British (or some other commonwealth) military. The broad arrow is usually an indication of acceptance or ownership by the Crown. I can't really tell much from your pictures. At that time, it would have been a Lend-Lease weapon, and the "United States Property" stamping on the topstrap would indicate that. It should NOT be "U. S. Property," as you stated.

As it is in all likelihood refinished, I would also put a value of $300 on it. It's a shooter, not a collectible.

The 'L/>/#' marking is a Australian Lithgow Arsenal inspectors mark if I remember right.

The 'Not English Made' was an English Proof House applied marking to firearms proofed of non-Brit mfg'r.

Sometimes said to be some sort of an import marking,,but it was a stamping which by law was applied by the British Proof House(s).
IIRC, It was discontinued from use in '54 when a re-write of the proof laws occured there,,but that date may be off.
Every firearm must undergo Gov't proofing there. That's been in effect since forever.

The BroadArrow mark standing alone would be British Property marking.
I can't see the other markings to see if it has an Australian Property (BroadArrow) marking.

It's been around a bit for sure, but that's not unusual for Commonwealth sidearms.

Any of those markings would be applied over the top of the Parkerized finish if the that finish was original.. The stamps would break through the surface finish when hit.
If the Parkerizing is over the top of the mark, the finish was applied by someone after the markings were struck.

I'm pretty sure this is one of those Aussie arsenal refinished guns brought in a few years ago.

Does it have a DD stamp with the Broad Arrow and MA mark beneath where the Made in USA stamp from the factory appears? (Munitions Australia)

I think those are legitimate collectibles, a part of Australian military history. They are in better shape than if not refinished. Many look about new.

If it's in really nice shape, the price is about what I'd expect.
I'd say that $250 is about the least you'd reasonably hope to pay. Even if it's perfect, I wouldn't go over $325.

If he's buying it as part of history and a military collectible, fine. If he's just looking for a good .38 at reasonable cost for real world use, look instead for a Model 10 or 64, preferably the latter.

Here are some more clear photos of markings. Looks like it is import marked.

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Thanks for the better photo, but I answered your question above, and added more in a response just now to Win94 asking about an identical gun. I suggest that you also read my post there. The L = Lithgow Arsenal, and DD with a Broad Arrow in between means Defense Department. I think 19 is the number of the military inspector. The stylized Broad Arrow head means Crown property. I think it was used throughout the former Empire and Commonwealth. However, be aware that South Africa left the Commonwealth in 1960, due to the apartheid issue.

Are both you men asking about the same gun?

On the left side, yes, that is an importer's mark, Vega in CA. I think they brought in all of this batch of arsenal-reworked guns. All that I've seen were dated either 1954 or 1955.

sorry, yes we are

Well, I hope you got the gun.

As for both of you posting about it, I'm reminded of a scene in the late Robt. C. Ruark's splendid novel, "Something of Value.", about Kenya in the time of the Mau-Mau Emergency.

A British cop was beating the feet of a Mau-Mau suspect, trying to extract a confession from the terrorist. He punned to a visitor, "Confession is good for the soles."

Yep, I gave the guy $300 for it and a box of ammo. It is an interesting piece of history. Will go nice with my collection (S&W and US military). Thanks everyone for the input!!

What does the WB stamp on the butt mean? Also, what does the FTR on the right side of frame mean? Thanks.

FTR is a common marking on these old warriors: "Factory Thorough Repair"..in other words,rebuilt.

how about the WB on butt?

OK one more marking. under the left grip panel on the side of the backstrap is a V. Any thoughts?

Unseen frame marks are generally fitter's marks,etc. of no real significance.

You can do either or both of these things to answer remaining questions:

1.) go to gunboards.com and ask in the British Gun Pub forum. That's where you'll find the real expertise about such matters on the Net.

2.) Write to the Military Attaché at the Australian Embassy in Wash., D.C. This should get you a nice Aussie stamp somewhere along the line, if he passes on your letter to Lithgow or some historical assn. there. And you'll probably get a nice letter or three. They'll go well with gun, holster, lanyard, and other stuff that you should buy to accompany it.

Where are our Australian members when these questions come, which is often?

WB marking doesn't ring a bell with me.

WO was a seldom used Brit marking early on for War Office
WD another Brit marking for War Dep't.,,seen quite often but again earlier use than what I'd expect to see here.
WA or W.A. was used to define the Western Australian district and put on equiptment to define ownership.

WB could have been a very late addition and in support of just about any security or Police outfit where the revolver ended up living it's useful service life after being FTR'rd @ Lithgow in 54.
IIRC Lithgow was mfg'rg at least a few No1MkIII* SMLE into the early 1960's. They did a lot of busy work just to stay open in those years.