Help identifying a pre-model 10 (m&p?)

[MUCSCHWARTZ]

Hey guys. Always wondered exactly what this thing is. 38 5inch obviously, but I heard the V can denote some kind of service, but this is the only location where the V appears. There is also a P visible after the serial

Unfortunately the gun was engraved so who knows what other markings were removed (serial, but numbers only, appears in the other right places)

Can anyone help date this piece? v 661555 p

 

[Retired W4]

I believe you have a BSR (British Service Revolver) made during WW II. Someone will come on with more details.

 

[Truckman]

Welcome to the forum...That's a lot of engraving for a BSR, especially in the flutes...It may have been done post-war, then exported to the US...Is it still chambered in .38 S&W, or has the cylinder been bored to .38 Spl?......Ben

 

[DWalt]

It is clearly a wartime version of the S&W .38 Military and Police Model, as made for the British Commonwealth military. This one is from 1944, and is often called a BSR (British Service Revover). The caliber is the British .380 Revolver, Mark II. Essentially identical to the old .38 S&W cartridge from the 19th Century, and that is how the barrel is stamped. The engraving is not original and actually devalues its worth. These are often found having their chambers elongated to accept the .38 S&W Special cartridge. Yours may or may not have the modified chambers. The USA supplied huge numbers of this type revolver to the British during WWII. Many found their way back, sold here cheaply as military surplus in the 1950s-60s.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! The "V" in the revolver's s/n is often referred to as the "Victory" model BSR. I agree that the engraving was done sometime after WWII, and probably in Mexico. It looks like the type of Mexican engraving that was done for Wolf & Klar (dealer in Texas)...although I'm not sure that W&K was still in business in the late 1940s. Your revolver should be a good shooter. Enjoy!

 

[MUCSCHWARTZ]

It is clearly a wartime version of the S&W .38 Military and Police Model, as made for the British Commonwealth military. This one is from 1944, and is often called a BSR (British Service Revover). The caliber is the British .380 Revolver, Mark II. Essentially identical to the old .38 S&W cartridge from the 19th Century, and that is how the barrel is stamped. The engraving is not original and actually devalues its worth. These are often found having their chambers elongated to accept the .38 S&W Special cartridge. Yours may or may not have the modified chambers. The USA supplied huge numbers of this type revolver to the British during WWII. Many found their way back, sold here cheaply as military surplus in the 1950s-60s.

Interesting. It's been a few years since I fired it, the star is a bit worn and needs a little help on certain stops. But if i recall correctly, I had it loaded with .38spl.

Thanks for the help gentlemen.

...what's the P denote, by the way? Same thing?

 

[DWalt]

P is a proofmark applied at S&W. If .38 Special cartridges can be fully chambered, the chambers have been lengthened. And that will devalue its worth more. But the good part about that is .38 Special ammunition is far more readily available vs. .38 S&W if you wish to shoot it.

The topstrap on yours should be stamped U. S. PROPERTY, but that could have been polished out as it was often struck lightly. Technically, the revolvers were US property on loan to the British under the Lend-Lease Act of 1941. Along with many other forms of military equipment.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Would you post a picture of the bottom of the butt frame?

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

Just to let you know, most S&W collectors define the pre models as being identical to the first model marked firearms. Since your BSR still has the long action, it is NOT a pre Model 10.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Welcome to the forum...That's a lot of engraving for a BSR, especially in the flutes...It may have been done post-war, then exported to the US...Is it still chambered in .38 S&W, or has the cylinder been bored to .38 Spl?......Ben

Ben, I agree.

I saw an engraved Victory Model years ago that was priced to move. So I asked the backstory and it was basically engraved by a Apprentice for a Master Engraver. That is how they learned the trade. Today we would call it "seconds". Sarge