I recently purchased what I think is a Military & Police Model of 1905 4th change Revolver. The serial number is 762XXX with the letter P on the other side of the ring. the revolver is also marked with a Broad Arrow British Proof mark and crossed flags. Does any one know approximately when it would have been shipped and do you think it was used by the British Military? Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

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Welcome to the Forum.

It was bought by the British government early in WW II.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

As Gil stated, it is a British Service Revolver from fairly early in the war. It likely left the factory in the first quarter of 1941.

For the most part it is intact: still has a 5" barrel, the lanyard swivel and period correct (probably original) service stocks. Overall a pretty nice find.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Welcome to the Forum! As others have informed you, your revolver is a WWII British Service Revolver (BSR). Early in the war, the British were woefully lacking in small arms. These revolvers were purchased by the British government to provide their troops with a dependable sidearm. There are quite a few fans of the BSR here on the Forum, and lots of information is available. You can use the "Search" function at the top to find plenty of informative Posts on BSRs. Enjoy!

Thank you very much for the great information.

The barrel shows that it was chambered for the 38 S&W cartridge, not the 38 Special. You might try chambering a 38 Special cartridge. If it fits, the cylinder has been reamed out, to accept the longer cartridge.

Mike Priwer

It does not have the British civilian proof marks which means that it was likely a WWII bringback in some GI's duffel bag, not one of the many thousands of war surplus revolvers sold on the U. S. civilian market during the 1950s-60s. My guess is that its chambers have not been lengthened to accept .38 Special cartridges. The early BSRs, prior to mid-1941, were basically civilian M&P guns which were purchased from the U.S. by the British Commonwealth countries for military use. A little later, the Lend-Lease Act of 1941 authorized the USA to essentially provide free munitions to the Commonwealth. Lend-Lease BSRs are easily recognized by having a topstrap property stamping, "United States Property." And later simplified to "U. S. Property".

All in all, you have what is a fairly desirable and unusual BSR today. Many would call it a Pre-Victory BSR.

You guys are a wealth of knowledge. Thank for all the information.

Just to add my 2 cents worth, the crossed pennants (split-tail flags) indicate Commonwealth military proof, the broad arrow over crown, etc., British. So... as a 5", 38 S&W to the BPC, I'm showing the shipment of 85,500 revolvers on 10/40 to 2/41, pre-Lend Lease.

I own s/n 765111 and it shipped Apr 1941.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

With that 5" 38 special barrel, it might be one of several thousand of those shipped to Commonwealth countries, as opposed to the 38.200/38 S&W. Does it have United States Property or U.S. Property on the left top strap?

No, no US markings of any kind.


shipped Apr 1941
upload pics and share link


shipped Mar 1939

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Mike
S&WCA #3065