I have a SW 38 ctg with a no letter serial of
848015 on the butt and 86142 inside the frame.
It has a BNP with a crown stamped on the frame and barrel.
Any help with identification would be greatly appreciated.

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I can't tell you a lot from your description, other than it started life as a .38/200 British Service Revolver (BSR), which shipped from S&W about October 1941. Collectors call it a pre-Victory model. Yours may not be in original condition. Caliber is .38 S&W, not .38 S&W Special.

Welcome to the Forum.

It looks like you have a British Service Revolver (BSR) from the early 1940s. It appears to have been reblued. The original grips would have been the checkered walnut service style.

Do .38 special cartridges fit or only the shorter, slightly fatter .38 S&W cartridge?

Looks like a 4" barrel. Measure the barrel from the front of the cylinder to the end of the barrel. The Brits standardized on the 5" barrel later on.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

It's a 3" barrel. Was purchased in 1961 at a pawn shop in Tucson.
Have not tried any ammo.

It doesn't seem to let me load multiple pics

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As I earlier stated, it is not at all uncommon to find .38/200s with shortened barrels, re-finished, and with non-original grips. The worst defect is re-chambering to .38 S&W Special. These modifications diminish their value greatly. I fear yours in in that category.

Serial number is also on the bottom of the barrel and matches the frame.
.38 special cartage fits but seems short.

You might want to check it again. Measure from the end of the barrel to the front of the cylinder, not the frame.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

It has clean rifling down the barrel

Ok it is 4" to the cylinder

If the .38 Special cartridge can be inserted completely, i.e., the rim seats on the rear surface of the cylinder, and the cylinder can be closed, it has been re-chambered. If the rim will not seat on the rear surface of the cylinder, and the cylinder will not close, it has not been re-chambered. If the latter, be aware .38 S&W ammunition is somewhat difficult to find and is often expensive.

.38 special fits and closes

On the bright side, .38 Special ammunition is far easier than .38 S&W to find, and much less expensive. You may notice fired .38 Special cases will be bulged, as the .38 S&W chamber diameter is slightly larger. That will not hurt anything.

Your revolver is suitable for general use as a shooter, but it will never be worth much.

If you got one attached, it should let you attach 4 more the same way. The only problem could be that the file size on your other photos is too large.

Resize Images online