ID Help...MP of 1905, 3rd Change maybe? In .38 SW?

[NCBeagle]

Good morning. Need help confirming the model and appreciate any assistance. All I have is this picture.

I know almost nothing about S&W revolvers made before 1950, so this is new to me. Is this a M&P of 1905, 3rd change? SN# 169XXX. I think so, but the barrel stamp says .38 S&W CTG. Thought that these were .38 Special. Thanks for looking.

* Top revolver

[DARE]

Looks like a .38/200 British Service Revolver. Is there a V before the SN? The British called the cartridge .38/200. We called it .38 S&W. The gun was marked .38 S&W. WWII era gun.

[NCBeagle]

Originally Posted by DARE

Looks like a .38/200 British Service Revolver. Is there a V before the SN? The British called the cartridge .38/200. We called it .38 S&W. The gun was marked .38 S&W. WWII era gun.

That's what threw me off. The Catalog of SW has .38/200 at SN V1-V811119. I am told that the SN here is 169258, but if there's a "V" in front, making it V169258 that may explain. I'll see if we can clarify.

[DARE]

Should have the V. When the .38 M&Ps got to SN 1,000,000 the V series began. The British Service Revolvers that did not have the V were in the 700,000 to 1,000,000 range.

[NCBeagle]

Originally Posted by DARE

Should have the V. When the .38 M&Ps got to SN 1,000,000 the V series began. The British Service Revolvers that did not have the V were in the 700,000 to 1,000,000 range.

Interesting. If he is misreading the first digit as a “1”, when it is really a “7”, that would explain.

[DARE]

Here is my Model of 1905 3rd Change Target from 1913. SN 2108xx. Sounds like you were using the SN range to think the gun you are looking at was a Model of 1905 3rd Change.

[NCBeagle]

Originally Posted by DARE

Here is my Model of 1905 3rd Change Target from 1913. SN 2108xx. Sounds like you were using the SN range to think the gun you are looking at was a Model of 1905 3rd Change.

Yes, serial number was certainly one of the things considered. Again, this is way outside my usual area. I am a simple guy. Totally lost without a model number stamped into the frame.

[Targets Guy]

The grips would indicate the serial number begins in 7. My change 4 M&P s/n 765111 shipped in April 1941.

[22hipower]

Originally Posted by NCBeagle

Yes, serial number was certainly one of the things considered. Again, this is way outside my usual area. I am a simple guy. Totally lost without a model number stamped into the frame.

Ask Olivia, she'll straighten it out for you.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[NCBeagle]

Originally Posted by 22hipower

Ask Olivia, she'll straighten it out for you.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Ha. She’s on the range at the moment. But, the owner sent another photo to clear it up. There is a “V”. Thanks to all who answered.

[DWalt]

Not much doubt, yours is a British Service Revolver. 5” barrels were pretty much standard by that time. I am a little uncertain exactly what the SN really is, seems to be V169258 which would put it in 1942. Is there a “United States Property” stamp on the topstrap? There should be. That indicates it is a Lend-Lease revolver, essentially a wartime gift from Uncle Sam to the British.

[Inland7-45]

I have an early pre Victory/Lendlease. Serial number is 766XXX. Most likely shipped very early in 1941. Like all of the early guns this one had standard pre war blue finish and checkered silver medallion stocks and lanyard swivel. Barrel is 5” with .38 S&W stamped on right side of barrel.

This is where S&W began the shift to concentrating on just the .38 revolver for the duration. It appears that work in process was finished mostly as 5” barrel .38 S&W cal. Early on the were some 4” and 6” barrel .38 S&Ws as parts on hand were used up. In early 1942 the 4” .38 Specials for U.S. issue began and after the original British contract was completed the rest of the British guns were Lendlease and were US property marked. Caliber and barrel were the only difference. My gun has no proof marks but does have an import stamp. The gun may have been imported from Canada. I may decide to have this gun lettered.”