I thought this was a Victory but no V anywhere. I read the threads on the Pre-Victory model and maybe that is what this is, but just wondering if someone could confirm. Barrel has been cut, sight reattached, aftermarket NickeI,plastic grips. Shoots great, tight lockup.I will be brief on markings -

On butt - 7467XX P
Right hand side of butt- P in middle and then B
Left hand side - No markings
On back of trigger and hammer - REG.U.S.PAT.OFF
RH side of frame - S&W Emblem & then MADE IN U.S.A.
Top of cylinder and inside of ejector - 7467XX
Under Barrel - Cal 38 Special, 7467XX,BNP, 3 1/2 TONS, X and inside
X counterclockwise - M,5,8

No other visible markings on gun

I know it is not worth much but just curious about model since I had never seen markings on back of trigger before.

Thank you for any assistance you may offer and have a Blessed Day !

Attached Images

DSC00002.JPG (58.1 KB, 56 views)

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Psalms 37:4

Be aware that firing this revolver may be tricky. When the barrel was cut the front lock which secures the ejector rod went away. Therefore the only point where the cylinder is locked is the recoil shield. A gunsmith could install a ball-detent lock on the crane but that might be costly. It boils down to a situation where the front alignment of the cylinder and forcing cone might be off and there may be shaving of the projectile. Don't allow anyone to stand beside you when you fire this revolver (a safe practice anyhow).

It looks to be a converted .38/200 (.38 S & W caliber) British service revolver. It may have had the cylinder bores reamed for the longer but smaller diameter .38 Special, which would make it potentially unsafe to shoot per the previous post. If a .38 S & W chambers it is concerning, and since the cylinder number matches the SN this is likely the case. The proof stampings and some of the others described were done after it left military service for the commercial market.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

John, you identified it correctly. It's a converted British contract Pre-Victory that was probably shipped in early 1941. If yours is tight and shoots fine, you have one of the good modifications. The usual line on these cut-barrel Commonwealth revolvers is that they are potentially unsafe. The loss of the front locking lug under the barrel leaves the crane/cylinder assembly supported at only one point, and the caliber conversion from .38 S&W to .38 Special can lead to bulged or even split cases when .38 Special is fired because the longer round has a slightly smaller case diameter near the base. But others report no case swelling in these guns, so there must be no hard and fast rule.

The REG.U.S.PAT.OFF. markings were found on hammers and triggers during the 1930s. They referred to the S&W case hardening process that produced rainbow coloration on these parts. The case coloring has been lost on your gun because the hammer and trigger were nickeled as well as the frame when the gun was refinished. I think the original finish on your gun was a kind of satin blue, but don't quote me because I am not an expert on these. I believe the parkerized finish didn't show up in these guns until the actual V-prefix Victory models came along in 1942.

The grips are probably Franzite. In the 1940s and 1950s there was a large market for synthetic stocks molded to imitate the shape and design of wooden originals or, as in this case, more exotic stocks in ivory, bone or staghorn.

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David Wilson

John 14 18, Most likely one of the British pre-victory in the '40ish time frame. A couple of the guys keep a database on the victory and pre-victory models and should be along soon with a closer matchup. I have three of the South African contract pistols from the 1940 shipments of which 2 never made it to S.A. and have the British Nitro Proof (BNP) stamps. Does yours have the remnants of a lanyard ring in the butt next to the s/n?
Larry
P.S. Every day is a blessed day.

Thank all of you so much for the valuable info and advice ! After I saw a picture of a cylinder blown out on an old revolver several years ago, when I get one of these old guns I'm not sure about, I go to a friend's place out in the woods, put my hand through a piece of metal we cut out and then shoot around the corner of a building so that only my hand is exposed. Probably an easier way to test fire one but it works for me.

Yes Larry, there is remnants of a lanyard ring and you're right, any day you wake up breathing is a Blessed Day !

Thank you all again, I appreciate it.

Jack

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Psalms 37:4