Mystery Revolver???

[dandyrandy]

I am putting this one in the vintage category. My friend thinks this is a South American military or police gun but I think this is a WW2 British Victory revolver that has been cut down and sold on the civilian market. The proof marks all look British to me. The biggest mystery is why the S&W logo was taken off? Im guessing it happened when the gun was refinished?? But who know... Maybe you could shed some more light on this little guy. Thanks and happy holidays to everyone!

 

[Peak53]

Definitely a cut down something or other. Notice the missing locking lug from the front of the ejector rod. Could be an M&P or a Victory. You could remove the grips and provide a pic of the serial number on the base of the frame for more information.

 

[Truckman]

And there's that strange "O" again......Ben

 

[glowe]

You photographed the assembly number, but the serial number is what we need. Look at the butt of the gun for a serial number and maybe a letter as well. BNP is British Nitro Proof. Agreed it has a cut-down barrel.

 

[dandyrandy]

Who ever did the work did an outstanding job so Im thinking it was a professional job done by an importer probably in the 50 or 60s before the requirement of importation stamps. I noticed the locking lug missing too and another concerning thing was it appears the gun was origianlly 38S&W or some kind of British equal but the cylinder was reworked for 38 special. My friend had 38 special plus Ps in there which I thinking is bad ju ju. For some reason I cant get the picture to upload so Im reading the serial number on the butt as 303247. Thanks!

 

[JP@AK]

Im reading the serial number on the butt as 303247.

At that number, it should have a V in front of it. I don't think there is much doubt that this was once a BSR with a 5" barrel.

BNP is Birmingham Nitro Proof, so it was proofed in England.

 

[dandyrandy]

It looks like the V was ground off which is weird why some of the markings were taken off. My only conclusion to that is who ever re-finished the gun had to take a lot of metal off the gun before getting a smooth nice re-bluing.

 

[Muley Gil]

Is the lanyard loop hole plugged?

 

[zonker5]

It's interesting that there are no markings on either side of the barrel or frame. Did it ever have them?

I'm thinking it may not a genuine S&W but one of the knockoffs from Spain or South America.

 

[dandyrandy]

Is the lanyard loop hole plugged?

Yes it is.

 

[dandyrandy]

It's interesting that there are no markings on either side of the barrel or frame. Did it ever have them?

I'm thinking it may not a genuine S&W but one of the knockoffs from Spain or South America.

It definietly has British markings of a Victory model. It could of been a BSR that made its way to some Latin country from the surplus market. I can see where the S&W logo was polished off the side plate. Im thinking it was a BSR recut and refinished for the American civilian market. An imported gun to appeal for the extremely limited conceal carry crowd of the time.

 

[DWalt]

No question in my mind it is a chopped and rechambered BSR. They were sold by the boatload in the US during the 1950s-60s. There should be a SN stamped on a flat on the bottom of the barrel, on the rear face of the cylinder, and also on the inside (rear) surface of the extractor star. All must match, otherwise it is a parts gun. These are sort of the Ugly Ducklings of the Victory world, as they are not factory original.