2” 5-Screw .38 Special BNP Stamp “C-Prefix”

[datsun40146]

I have an interesting one for you guys today trying to ID the gun and figure out a little bit of its history.

First of all the cylinder is stamped BNP with a crown, which is British nitro proof. Normally, this would signify a lend lease gun. However, the serial number on this gun is C 288XX, which is post World War 2, and definitely not a converted victory model.
The grip is of the square butt variety and no lanyard loop has ever been installed.

The barrel has the following text
Smith and Wesson
.38 S&W SPC CTG.

This would denote a 38 special cartridge. The barrel is serialed to the frame and matches C288XX so its original to the gun. Also it’s a 2” half moon sight which is original to the era of the 5 screw k frame.

Does anyone have any idea how a British I assume 38 special revolver ended up back in the US? Can also anyone confirm that my understanding is correct that this should be in 38 special and not 38 Smith & Wesson.

 

[jpage]

The barrel is stamped .38 smith and wesson special. Perhaps You confused the two cartridges ? As for the nitro proof, I believe the British tested and stamped any firearm destined for export.

 

[datsun40146]

No, I understand the difference between 38 Smith & Wesson and 38 Smith & Wesson special pretty well I load for a terrier, which is in that Caliber.
I’m wondering at this point if someone hasn’t replaced the cylinder, tho the yoke matches the serial of the frame.

 

[JP@AK]

C28000 ish would probably have shipped in late summer or early autumn, 1948. So, clearly this is a postwar revolver. There isn't any reason to believe that someone in the UK wouldn't have purchased a postwar .38 Special revolver from Smith & Wesson.

BNP is Birmingham Nitro Proof, so obviously this revolver was proofed at some point by the Brits. Perhaps when someone wanted to export it back to the U.S.

It may be an unusual situation, but not one that is unheard of. It would be kind of fun to have one like that in an M&P collection.

 

[datsun40146]

The plot thickens I just measured the cylinder length and it measures to 1.566 inches. Unless I’m mistaken most of the .38/200 cylinders are 1.56 while the .38 specials measure around 1.62”.
But the barrel states special, I guess I’ll have to shoot it and see what the cases do. The cylinder doesn’t appear to be bored through and it does chamber a .38 special.

 

[murphydog]

You didn't mention if the cylinder has a matching serial number to the frame and barrel?

 

[datsun40146]

No the cylinders serial number is 797868. It does not match the frame
The yoke is 34060 which matches the frame 34060.

I think this would confirm that the cylinder has been replaced from what would have been .38 special to a .38 S&W ?

 

[DWalt]

Appears to be a replaced cylinder. Could have been rechambered to .38 Special. How about the number on the back side of the extractor star?

 

[datsun40146]

The number under the ejector star is 797868.

 

[DWalt]

That makes it a cylinder from an early WWII BSR - probably.

 

[datsun40146]

Good to know, wonder what would cause someone to replace the cylinder and leave everything else. Guess I’ll shoot it and see how it shoots and replace the cylinder if needed

 

[murphydog]

A K frame .38 cylinder with that number may have been originally in .38 S & W or Special.

A converted .38 S & W cylinder will show evidence of a missing chamber shoulder about 0.77" from the rear, and no .38 Special shoulder. Special cases will bulge with firing.

A .38 Special cylinder will look...like a .38 Special cylinder. But the crown/BNP proof mark argues against this, Occam's Razor and all.

 

[datsun40146]

Barrel is 2” it’s original, we’ve decided that the cylinder was replaced. Frame and barrel are original pre-10 M&P.
Also I had some .38 s&w cases around. Setup the press, loaded up a few and they chamber, so does .38 special.

Confirmed. Pre-10 .38 special with .38 s&w cylinder from a British service revolver.

Case closed. Now I need to find a pre-10 m&p cylinder to fit.

 

[murphydog]

Barrel is 2” it’s original, we’ve decided that the cylinder was replaced. Frame and barrel are original pre-10 M&P.
Also I had some .38 s&w cases around. Setup the press, loaded up a few and they chamber, so does .38 special.

Confirmed. Pre-10 .38 special with .38 s&w cylinder from a British service revolver.

Case closed. Now I need to find a pre-10 m&p cylinder to fit.

Correct...but a .38 S & W cylinder reamed to .38 Special length, a common modification.

A .38 Special cylinder should be easy to find, and if you use the extractor from your current cylinder it may work without fitting.

 

[datsun40146]

Ordered a pre-10 cylinder with crane and extractor in .38 special. Will attempt to fit just the cylinder using the extractor etc from the current setup. Will see how it fits. I can do some minor hand fitting as needed

 

[ImDrRich]

Please post a picture if you can. Thank you.