Is this a "pre victory model"?

[Medic43]

No star under the barrel just a B inside a box next to the serial number.

 

[Medic43]

Will get more pictures later on today.

 

[Medic43]

I noticed the same thing about the extractor rod, but the pictures were not good enough for me to make a good determination. And certainly the grips are postwar. That front sight style is probably early 1950s.or later. Everything points to its being a possible factory rebuild on an older frame. That is why I mentioned the star stamp. Also might check to see if there is a date stamp on the grip frame.

Hope these help.

 

[DWalt]

Appears the revolver went back to the factory for service in October 1954. Front sight indicates the barrel could be a replacement from that period and numbered by the factory. Grips are probably from a later M&P C series revolver. Cylinder could also be a replacement. My best guess is that the original revolver was one of the South African BSRs, and the frame was later fitted by S&W with a .38 Special barrel and cylinder. Extractor rod has knurled tip and is definitely post-1947. Any other guesses?

 

[sigp220.45]

FWIW, here is my South African lettered gun. The lanyard hole had been plugged and it was wearing some K frame Targets, but otherwise unchanged. No proof or import marks at all.

 

[Medic43]

Appears the revolver went back to the factory for service in October 1954. Front sight indicates the barrel could be a replacement from that period and numbered by the factory. Grips are probably from a later M&P C series revolver. Cylinder could also be a replacement. My best guess is that the original revolver was one of the South African BSRs, and the frame was later fitted by S&W with a .38 Special barrel and cylinder. Extractor rod has knurled tip and is definitely post-1947. Any other guesses?

Sweet man, I appreciate you in educating me on the manor. I Love these old guns always something new to learn.

 

[Medic43]

FWIW, here is my South African lettered gun. The lanyard hole had been plugged and it was wearing some K frame Targets, but otherwise unchanged. No proof or import marks at all.

Any rate i'm going to pay the money and send in for the providence letter to the Smith and Wesson Historical foundation just to have the paperwork. I think that is so cool. I absolutely nerd out at old guns like this.

 

[Medic43]

First 12 shots single action @ 7 yards....She is a keeper. Put a couple boxes of .38 special both single action and double action with no issues.

Thank you all again for the history info on this.

 

[AlHunt]

So, a nice gun, likely an interesting back story, not a white glove safe queen and no boutique caliber. Good score, I think.

Probably not "worth" a $100 letter, in that it won't be worth a hundred bucks more, but why not confirm it for not much more than a tank of gas? Then you might score the invoice where it was rebuilt in 1954. It still won't be worth a hundred bucks more, but it'll be so much more interesting.

Besides, it's not my money, so spend away!

 

[Medic43]

So, a nice gun, likely an interesting back story, not a white glove safe queen and no boutique caliber. Good score, I think.

Probably not "worth" a $100 letter, in that it won't be worth a hundred bucks more, but why not confirm it for not much more than a tank of gas? Then you might score the invoice where it was rebuilt in 1954. It still won't be worth a hundred bucks more, but it'll be so much more interesting.

Besides, it's not my money, so spend away!

I agree whole heartedly, it's not necessary the money value I just really enjoy the research and historical aspect. Plus, it will make for a cool story.

 

[Truckman]

I agree whole heartedly, it's not necessary the money value I just really enjoy the research and historical aspect.

That is precisely what steers the direction of my own accumulation......Ben

 

[DWalt]

If you do order a letter, you might post it here just to close the circle. Interesting that a previous owner would go through the trouble to rebuild a BSR when he probably could have bought a nice condition used .38 Special M&P cheaper.

 

[Medic43]

If you do order a letter, you might post it here just to close the circle. Interesting that a previous owner would go through the trouble to rebuild a BSR when he probably could have bought a nice condition used .38 Special M&P cheaper.

Interesting enough I did find some one that posted about a BSA revolver back in 2012 (which had not been altered) and per the Smith and Wesson letter some revolvers were bought back to be used as government surplus and converted post war to the more popular .38 special.

Now I know we can beat this to death but I’m hoping that this gun was one of them. It would be really cool. Either way I will send off my stuff this Tuesday and when the letter comes back I will tag this post. Thank you again.