Looks like the gun has great condition. The holster is incorrect for the gun. The Brits, Aussies and New Zealanders used a canvas full flap type holster. The US holster is for the 4 inch barreled Victory Model .38 Special. It's a very early gun to have the smooth stocks, however the proof is on the back side of the right stock panel. If the serial number there matches the number on the butt, the stocks are original to the gun. If not, the gun probably had commercial checkered walnut grips originally. The Brits, nor the other colonial powers (except Canada) , did not apply proof or acceptance stamps to wartime ordnance received under the Lend Lease agreement, as the guns were not intended for sale to the public. After WW2 ended and many Lend Lease hand guns were sold to British gun dealers for eventual sale to the public, then proof stamps were generously applied to these guns. Your gun may not have gone to Great Britain but may have been among guns sent to South Africa or Australia. A factory Historical letter will tell you when, where and to whom the gun was shipped. There's a link to the application form for the letter on this Forum. Ed.
Last edited by opoefc; 09-05-2014 at 12:52 AM.
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