All numbers match but I have no clue what it is past a 38 Special.

This is a pre model 10, there have been a zillion made and are still being made - your gun is not in great condition... and I would think $200 would be reasonable. Some will dispute that but as if they are a buyer?

A serial number would help. It's on the butt. First glance makes me think M&P (model of 1905) refinished in nickel-- the trigger and hammer look plated, which the factory wouldn't have done.

Edit to add: Since it doesn't have the short-throw hammer that appeared before the Model 10 release, maybe 1930's to early '40's. Value-wise, maybe 300-350?

Are those grips plastic, or is the lighting fooling me?

It hasn't been mentioned yet, but the barrel has definitely been cut down and the front sight reattached. Note the lack of a front locking lug.

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"I also cook."

Another clue this is not original:
The "lug" under the cylinder that would hold the locking pin that engages the front of the ejector rod is missing meaning the barrel has been cut down removing the lug.

I agree with Ken158. This is a .38 Military & Police, a.k.a. a "pre-model" 10.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

You didn‘t mention the serial number, but my money would be on a re-imported, re-modeled British Service Revolver, a Victory or Pre-Victory, from WW II. It looks absolutely typical for what was done to those to sell them after the war.

I was thinking that too.

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'Merica!

Safe to say 0 collector value I guess

I agree with the others. That thing was modified and assembled with parts. and the finish is not original. It's a 5 screw M&P K frame kinda gun. But IF it is mechanically sound, and you can get it as a shooter for a couple hundred bucks, why not ??

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John

Not sure how one would call such a gun without a forward locking lug "mechanically sound."

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Formerly Model520Fan

It works but probably not as solid a lock-up. Colt Double actions don't support the front of the ejector rod.

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Sceva
OGCA SWCA NRA

Throw away gun? Could be priceless.

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Just hanging with my dogs

[quote=Model520Fan;140183575]Not sure how one would call such a gun without a forward locking lug "mechanically sound."[

It's a chopped British Service Revolver made in WWII. The barrel was cut down after the war for resale.

As noted, this is a British Service Revolver (BSR) chambered in .38 S&W, converted to .38 special. It probably shipped with a 5" barrel. It may have a "V" serial number. They were generally shipped in the 1940s. After WW II, these were sent back to the US. Since .38 S&W is not all that popular in the States, many were re-chambered to .38 special. Snub nosed revolvers were becoming popular, so many were cut to 2".

Many were also nickel plated, had a tinny ramp front sight mounted and equipped with plastic grips. Lanyard loops were removed and the hole in the butt was plugged. Lee Harvey Oswald was armed with one.

This is not a Model 10 or a pre Model 10. Post WW II, S&W went to a short action. These short action revolvers are pre M10s. Model numbers were adopted in 1957 and stamped revolvers started appearing in 1958.

There is no collector's value, but most shoot OK.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Seems like a really cool story to add to its history. So Oswald was armed with a converted one? Was his also cut down?

Yes, it was. The pictures that are on the 'Net look very much like your revolver.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

It was cut down. He used it to kill a Dallas police officer.

Very cool, wish this wasn’t obliterated by a ****** nickel job.

Actually, that is a pretty decent nickel job. Look at the fit of the side plate. Often, refinishers polish the side plate separate from the revolver, resulting in a noticeable gap.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

To save myself some typing, here’s an old thread I started about Oswald’s gun:

Oswald's Victory BSR: The basics

True, but keep in mind that Colt's revolvers have a cylinder that rotates in the opposite direction - into the frame's top strap. Hence, there is less need to lock up the front support for the cylinder.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Back about 1999, my duty gun was a lightweight 1911. It started to have feeding problems. I didn't have the time to work on it nor the money to take it to a gunsmith. The only other duty style sidearm I owned was a 5" M625 .45 ACP. I carried for a while, but it was a tad too heavy. I tried to find a 4" Mountain Gun barrel, but the factory didn't have any in stock. Brownells did have the 3" full lug barrel. I bought one and installed it. I couldn't find the short plunger for the 3", so I carried it as is. It shot just fine without it.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

What is it? It's a crying shame. Like all the other butchered up Victory Models.

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No life story has happy end.