Found something interesting this weekend at my local shop. It is a 10-8 with what they identified as British proof marks on the barrel and cylinder. Serial number IDs it as built in 1980. One of the last with a pinned barrel.





Grips were well worn, scratched and chipped like they had been dropped, but the blueing was fairly good with some holster wear. I replaced the grips with some similar ones in better condition that I had from a 686.

Here are the proof marks on the cylinder, "BNP" with a crown above the "N"


Proof marks also on the bottom of the barrel above the ejector


Anyone seen one like this or have any insights on its possible history? Looks like it was carried a lot, but not shot that much and has character without being worn out.

Haven't shot it yet, but I'll try to before the end of the week if it doesn't rain too much. While most of the country is complaining about heat the PNW is cool and rainy...

From what I have read the British bobbys were issued these during the 70's 80's and into the 90's, those of them that were allowed to carry guns that is.

Some UK cops also had M-36's and M-28's. Don't know if they had .357 ammo in the M-28's, which were carried in a lockbox in patrol cars on one force.

They couldn't get the guns out of the box unless they had a call requiring an armed response.

During the takeover of the Iranian Embassy in London about 1980, the bobby at the embassy was never disarmed of his S&W .38, because the terrorists thought that British cops were unarmed. I think he had an M-36, not sure. The SAS eventually attacked to end the problem.

Most of these S&W revolvers were replaced by Glocks. I think some have them in 9mm and some in .40.

Does anyone know more?

Back about 1970, the Prime Minister of the time was speaking at a US college. A friend of mine was Dean of Students and also campus security director. He talked with the PM's bodyguard, who had an M-36 and standard old lead RN .38 Special ammo. The college man gave the Bodyguard some lead HP Plus P ammo, which he was glad to get.

T-Star

The type of guns carried by U.K. Cops depend on the particular Force, during the 80's/90's most of the Forces used the Mod 10, 4", or the 686 4", the Special Branch cops carried Mod 36's then Mod19 2.5", the only rounds ever used were 38's never magnums.
The OP gun is probably an ex Police issue which would explain why the finish is worn (constant carry) but it appears hardly fired. Operational guns were very rarely fired, On training/qualifying days specific (the oldest) guns were used every time, the idea being operational guns wouldn't wear out.

FWIW - I have a 10-6 with the same proof markings, and in about the same condition, serial number D9961XX, that I lettered; the letter indicating it was shipped "on January 11, 1977, and delivered to Springfield Firearms Co., Cornwall, England, Smith & Wessons English Distributor." The reimported Model 10's are always interesting, at least to me, especially as they are affordable.

__________________
William H. Smith

Thanks for all the replys. It sounds like a gun with lots of stories to tell. I'm glad will5a1 confirms the proof marks are British.

Does anyone know what the proof marks "9.5 TONS" means? That would be 19,000 pounds with short/American tons or 21,280 pounds with long/British tons. Did they use tons per square inch as a measure of pressure? Was each cylinder hole tested separately?

9.5 British Long Tons /per Sq Inch pressure.
38 caliber w/a shell case length of 1.15 inches.
Crown/BNP is Birmingham (Proof House) Nitro Proof
Each chamber was individually Nitro proof tested and stamped as such
Crown/SP..is a voluntary 'heavy load' proof .

Thanks for the info!