.38 rimfire

Chillbill29 · Dec 27, 2020

I thought i had a .38 special but might be a rimfire. Butt handle number is V22199 and number on the swing arem is M60706.

Looking for age and possible value.

opoefc · Dec 27, 2020

Any S&W revolver with a "V" serial number is a WW2 Victory model. They are all centerfire, either .38S&W or .38Spl S&W. The butt numer is the serial number. The"swing arm" number is an assembly number used during construction to keep fitted parts together and of no consequence after the gun left the factory. The caliber is stamped on the side of the barrel (unless it's been cut down past the caliber stamp ) . Why do you think the gun is a rimfire ? Ed

Rob613 · Dec 27, 2020

Most likely you have a Victory in .38 S&W from mid 1942.

Pictures would help.

Those that know a lot more than I do will be along to confirm.

weatherby · Dec 27, 2020

The 38 S&W is a much shorter cartridge than the 38 special. They are different cartridges altogether and what your gun is most likely chambered to take.

Chillbill29 · Dec 27, 2020

Here is a pic

Pisgah · Dec 27, 2020

Definitely a Victory model, likely a British service revolver originally in .38 S&W , bored out to .38 Spec and the barrel cut to 2". These can be tolerable shooters but don't have much in the way of value.

cgt4570 · Dec 27, 2020

Chillbill29 said:
Here is a pic

Welcome!

Unfortunately you have an abomination.

It's a British Commonwealth WW2 purchase that's been cut off (removing the locking lug under the barrel), and had an aftermarket front sight soldered on. It's been heavily polished and refinished. Someone also did some whittling on the original smooth grips.
It could still be in the original .38 S&W (the Brits called it the .38-200 cartridge), or it could have been reamed out to shoot .38 Special. The latter is not ideal as the brass will swell so you can't re-load it. Also, the .38 Special bullet diameter is slightly smaller than the .38 S&W.

This was common back in the '50s and '60s to sell an otherwise worthless surplus revolver on the American market. I've seen period magazine ads for these for $25.

One neat tidbit: That's the revolver model that Lee Harvey Oswald used to kill the police officer in the theater.

These have VERY little value. It's worth $200 on a good day. I would consider it a glove box or tackle box gun.

steelslaver · Dec 27, 2020

Question.
When did they quit making rim fires other than 22 caliber. Were there any left after 1900? I have a 25 rim fire Crackshot barrel and I know they made 32 and at one time 44 rim fires

cgt4570 · Dec 27, 2020

Rimfires

steelslaver said:
Question.
When did they quit making rim fires other than 22 caliber. Were there any left after 1900? I have a 25 rim fire Crackshot barrel and I know they made 32 and at one time 44 rim fires

Smith & Wesson stopped making .32rf in 1875.
Yes, many other companies made rifles and handguns in rimfire calibers larger than .22 up through the 1920s. There were various solid bullet and shotshell varieties.
Lots of "boy's rifles" were made in .32rf.
Stevens and Remington were probably the largest companies making the rimfire rifles.
There was .25 Stevens RF, .30rf (mostly U.S. percussion conversions and European revolvers?), several .32rf lengths for rifles and revolvers, .41rf short and long, even the Swiss military large rifle .41rf round.
Remington even made a 9mm shotshell rimfire 'garden gun'.

steelslaver · Dec 27, 2020

Thank you.

.38 rimfire

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