I'm looking at a very nice S&W Victory revolver in 38/200 w/British proof marks. Seller says it is a Lend Lease variation. Original finish, matching numbers including grips. My question: Would a Lend Lease be more collectible than a non-Lend Lease variation (+ / -) to value? Suggested value of a piece like this?
Thanks! (serial number block is 318,xxx) Nicely mark, GHD US Property, w/British "ton" markings.

Do you mean a non-commonwealth Victory (e.g. US Navy or DSC), or do you mean a pre-lend lease BSR?

A pre-Lend-lease BSR with Carbonia blue and checkered walnut will be worth up to a few hundred more than a Lend-lease BSR (pre- or Victory) with utility finish of the same condition.

But taking your question literally, you can indeed only refer to a comparison between the US version and the British Service model of the Victory, since there were no 38/200 Victorys that were NOT Lend-lease.

And there, it’s a matter of who is asking. Shooters find the US variant more desirable because of the caliber. But in terms of collectability, nice US Victorys are a dime a dozen (figuratively ), while nice unmodified BSRs with only post-war proofs are not that easy to find.

Overall, it’s a toss-up. Based on your description, 400 plus/minus should get one of either version in that condition.

PJGP if I have the initials right (Peter) in South Africa has a really nice .38-200 with five-inch barrel. It was carried by a warrant officer in an armored car regiment.

Peter got it from his daughter after the man's death a few years ago. It's been very well maintained. Probably made in 1940-41.

If he sees this, maybe he'll post that photo again. Peter??

A member in the UK now has a nice six-inch example once worn by a South African major seconded to the RAF in North Africa and in Burma. Like the armored car guy, he kept it and sold it only when in advanced age. He died at 97. Name was Harry Something. Hoffman? I thought he was Afrikaans, but he turned out to have been of Irish descent, not Dutch.

Very nice gun. He got it from the British. Said all he ever shot with it was a rat. I guess the present owner in the UK has had to have it deactivated.

Alas, many .38-200 revolvers sent to Australia were refinished in what looks like Parkerizing during a Factory Thorough Repair (FTR). Some still have checkered grips with silver medallion.

They needed a FTR, but I wish they'd gotten good blue jobs, not a dull grey finish. They look like Lend-Lease guns now, but the arsenal markings and the FTR stamp distinguish them. The arsenal involved was at Lithgow.

Because the Browning 9mm replaced them, most of these Aussie guns apparently went into storage. When they arrived here, most looked about new.

PJGP if I have the initials right (Peter) in South Africa has a really nice .38-200 with five-inch barrel. It was carried by a warrant officer in an armored car regiment.

Peter got it from his daughter after the man's death a few years ago. It's been very well maintained. Probably made in 1940-41.

If he sees this, maybe he'll post that photo again. Peter??

A member in the UK now has a nice six-inch example once worn by a South African major seconded to the RAF in North Africa and in Burma. Like the armored car guy, he kept it and sold it only when in advanced age. He died at 97. Name was Harry Something.

Very nice gun. He got it from the British. Said all he ever shot with it was a rat. I guess the present owner in the UK has had to have it deactivated.

Continuing...

Maj. Hoffman was actually shot down over Burma by a B-29 gunner!

He was flying a Spitfire MK VIII and saw a passing B-29. Not having seen one close up yet, Harry nosed over for a better look. The gunner evidently mistook the Spit for a Ki-61 Hien (Tony) and let him have it!

Harry parachuted into the jungle, where he was later rescued. I'm sure that Smith & Wesson .38 was a great comfort to him while in the jungle. Not enough gun for a tiger, but would kill a cobra...or a Japanese.

Linda-

Thanks for that Like!

Can you post your South African .38-200 with four-inch barrel? I quite liked that photo: holster, ammo, and all.

Will do! I'll start another thread on it... (was actually thinking that particular gun while reading this one).

__________________
Linda
SWCA #1965, SWHF #245