British view mark
- Thread starter chiefdave
- Start date
![IMG_4122[1].jpg](https://cdn.smith-wessonforum.com/attachments/592/592188-23ad54e66f72940fc9445c334016bb6c.jpg?hash=8LYKPeISWV)
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It probably got swapped to an American GI who brought it back from the war. If it had been a surplus sale from the Brits postwar, it should had been proofed and stamped.
We will never know for sure.
We will never know for sure.
It's the London Proof Hs 'View Mark' for a civilian firearm being proofed
But I can't see the bold circle around the entire proof stamp that would be there on a foreign mfg arm like a S&W.
Unless the tiny bit at about 1.oclock lying outside the V as the stamp is posed in the photo is the remnant of that circle.
Does the revolver look like it may have been refinished at one time?
Perhaps if so, part of the mark, that outside circle was polished away/lost in refinishing. Other proof marks may have been polished away as well.
Just a wild guess. Tough to tell from the one pic.
Yes they would normally have been proof marked on bbl, frame and cylinder.
I have seen a few other surplused handguns that had less than the required proof marks from Birmingham or London on them when proofed for re-sale for the commercial market after the War(s).
It must have been an extremely busy time at the Brit Govt proof facilitys then.
Likely some short cuts were taken at times like any other factory during high volume repetitive assembly line type work.
But I can't see the bold circle around the entire proof stamp that would be there on a foreign mfg arm like a S&W.
Unless the tiny bit at about 1.oclock lying outside the V as the stamp is posed in the photo is the remnant of that circle.
Does the revolver look like it may have been refinished at one time?
Perhaps if so, part of the mark, that outside circle was polished away/lost in refinishing. Other proof marks may have been polished away as well.
Just a wild guess. Tough to tell from the one pic.
Yes they would normally have been proof marked on bbl, frame and cylinder.
I have seen a few other surplused handguns that had less than the required proof marks from Birmingham or London on them when proofed for re-sale for the commercial market after the War(s).
It must have been an extremely busy time at the Brit Govt proof facilitys then.
Likely some short cuts were taken at times like any other factory during high volume repetitive assembly line type work.
Last edited:
OP
chiefdave
US Veteran
It did go thru a S&W factory refinish in 11/1954. I thought about a letter but the records a kind of hit and miss as far as factory work goes.
PJGP
Member
Both the London and Birmingham proof houses are commercial money making outfits. Unfortunately, they operate under Government legislation and "international" treaty; whilst also representing the UK at the bodies which set proofing standards.
A licence to make money, or what?
Peter
