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.38 No Model Number
- Thread starter matrsnot
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Made in 1943. It is either a U.S. Victory Model or a British Service Revolver. Here's how to tell the difference: If it has a 4" barrel marked 38 S&W Special CTG, it is a U.S. Victory. If the barrel is 5" and says 38 S&W CTG, it is a BSR.
Note: I just noticed you said the barrel is 4". The stamp on the side, therefore, should say 38 S&W Special CTG. It is a U.S. Victory Model. It should have U.S. Property stamped on the top strap. In that case, it probably went to the Navy.
Note: I just noticed you said the barrel is 4". The stamp on the side, therefore, should say 38 S&W Special CTG. It is a U.S. Victory Model. It should have U.S. Property stamped on the top strap. In that case, it probably went to the Navy.
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I have # V 660199. It is a 5" .38 S&W with U.S. property stamp on the top strap. I have been told that mine left the factory in Aug-Sep. of 1944 and was a lend lease gun that served with a German police agency.
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If it was a British service revolver, it was probably .38-200, a British cartridge. If it is British, it should have british proof marks. I don't know where to find that caliber ammo. My understanding is that it is slightly wider and shorter than .38 special. I imagine some re-loader sites (perhaps here) can tell you where to find components or how to make brass.
If it is .38-200, it can be bored to fire the .38 Special. Most of the pistols returned to the US after WWII were re-bored and the barrels cut shorter.
My father has one that is nickeled .38 special, snub nose, with faux stag grips he bought while in the USMC between '57-'61. That was the configuration one distributor used to modify the returning victory pistols. They were sold cheaply to service members at the time.
If it is .38-200, it can be bored to fire the .38 Special. Most of the pistols returned to the US after WWII were re-bored and the barrels cut shorter.
My father has one that is nickeled .38 special, snub nose, with faux stag grips he bought while in the USMC between '57-'61. That was the configuration one distributor used to modify the returning victory pistols. They were sold cheaply to service members at the time.
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The BSR chambers .38 S&W cartridges which are available at most well-stocked big box sporting goods stores and at online ammo suppliers. This cartridge has been around since 1876 and predates the .38 Special by over 20 years and which others have noted is not an improved version but an entirely different cartridge altogether. Your unmodified BSR is more valuable as is than if you bore out the chambers for .38 Special.
Please do not alter the cylinder of your revolver!!! The gun shoots 38 S&W caliber and it was readily available pre-pandemic. It can be easily reloaded and European companies sell lots of this caliber ammunition online. The 38 S&W bore was around .361", while the 38 Special bore was .357" so the 38 Special is small enough to often not contact the rifling properly, resulting in mediocre accuracy. As Guy states, unaltered examples are more sought after by collectors.
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The .38 S & W is shorter and wider than a .38 Special, so an original BSR will not fully chamber Special rounds.
Even with the current ammo shortage, .38 S & W rounds are still available if you do an online search, and are not far away price-wise from current (crazy) prices for standard .38 Specials.
I second the recommendation of not altering an original, almost 80 year old gun. If you are determined to have a .38 Special gun for shooting, I would ask your local gunsmith if he can fit a second .38 Special cylinder to it (and keep the original intact), or trading it for a revolver in .38 Special. Good luck in your decision.
Even with the current ammo shortage, .38 S & W rounds are still available if you do an online search, and are not far away price-wise from current (crazy) prices for standard .38 Specials.
I second the recommendation of not altering an original, almost 80 year old gun. If you are determined to have a .38 Special gun for shooting, I would ask your local gunsmith if he can fit a second .38 Special cylinder to it (and keep the original intact), or trading it for a revolver in .38 Special. Good luck in your decision.
