1966 S&W 27-2 german proofs

[cav.scout2000]

My 27-2 has Munich Germany proof marks? Any info would help on these markings.

 

[cav.scout2000]

I know on the 60's we sent garands, m1 carbines, and S&W revolvers to Germany to help secure the Berlin wall. I don't know if this may have been one of those pistols or not.

 

[M29since14]

Seems unlikely. That was a very expensive revolver in its day, though we don't know when it was made because we don't know the serial number. It looks like a '70s gun, since it does not have diamond targets (but that doesn't mean anything). Doubt it came through a government supply chain. It is probably from a commercial sale that found its way back to the U.S., possibly brought home by a serviceman.

 

[cav.scout2000]

Nope 1966 S268 first 4

 

[cav.scout2000]

Also under the stocks it has a second serial number that's not on the butt and 2 more proofs on each side. I'm baffled!

 

[cav.scout2000]

It has another stamp under the grip which is the same symbol fond here on the flag
Stasi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Is small can't get a good pic of it I had to get my mag glass out to see it I'm detail.

 

[diamonback68]

Also under the stocks it has a second serial number that's not on the butt and 2 more proofs on each side. I'm baffled!

Not sure what you are baffled about. You already have the story from M29since14. Years ago many many Smiths were sold to GIs at the base PX or Exchange and the GIs brought them home after discharge. We've seen thousands of them here on the forum over the years. I remember Wischo was the German importer to the base that handled these transactions.

 

[cav.scout2000]

What I don't get is the stasi symbol on the frame under the grips. It obviously wasn't just an import. They were a German type of gestapo organization. That's what has me confused.

 

[cav.scout2000]

No wischo import mark either

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

interesting

 

[diamonback68]

Give us a good picture of the stasi symbol of which you speak. I think you are just looking at various "proof" marks of which there are hundreds.

 

[cav.scout2000]

Also there is a seperate serial number on the crane and on the grip frame, which would lead me to believe it was an issued weapon not just sold at the PX. I'll post more pics soon.

 

[diamonback68]

Those numbers are assigned assembly numbers to keep parts together, like the crane to the frame, done at the Smith factory and have no meaning once the gun leaves the shipping dock. They are on all Smith revolvers.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Not sure what you are baffled about. You already have the story from M29since14. Years ago many many Smiths were sold to GIs at the base PX or Exchange and the GIs brought them home after discharge. We've seen thousands of them here on the forum over the years. I remember Wischo was the German importer to the base that handled these transactions.

Quite a number of S&W 19Ps, the fixed sight 19s, were brought home by US government employees, who purchased them at the Frankonia Waffen store a few kilometers south of Frankfurt, in Darmstadt.

 

[cav.scout2000]

Good info diamond back

 

[Skeetr57]

I bought at least 5 S&W revolvers in Germany between 1978 and 1980 through the Rod and Gun club, and none had any German proof marks. I think that the guns only had to be proofed if they were sold through German commercial channels.

 

[cav.scout2000]

I'll get some more pics of the various markings up. Hard to get good ones on a camera phone.

 

[M29since14]

...I think that the guns only had to be proofed if they were sold through German commercial channels.

From what little I know, I would agree. I have a Model 29 that came home from Germany with a U.S. Army officer. No German proofs.