Can anyone help identify the model and date of this 6 shot 38 special? It’s been in my immediate family since it was bought used in the early 60’s. The swing out pin and barrel looks different than most of the other pictures I’ve seen. The number inside the swing out is 7459. The serial number stamped in the bottom gripe frame and on the cylinder is 868157. There is no markings that I can find anywhere on the barrel.
Help with identifying model
- Thread starter jsw38
- Start date
Welcome to the Forum. Most likely this is one of the early (1941ish) WW II British service revolvers (originally in .38 S & W and usually with a 5" barrel) that had the barrel shortened, losing the front locking point for the ejector rod.
Many were also converted to .38 Special by reaming the cylinder to remove the shoulders for the shorter .38 S & W round; the resulting problem is the chamber is too wide for the Special, and often cases split with firing. If it chambers a .38 Special it has been converted. Hope this is helpful.
Many were also converted to .38 Special by reaming the cylinder to remove the shoulders for the shorter .38 S & W round; the resulting problem is the chamber is too wide for the Special, and often cases split with firing. If it chambers a .38 Special it has been converted. Hope this is helpful.
That is a modified and refinished British Service Revolver that originally shipped in late 1941 or very early 1942. The BSRs chambered the .38 S&W round (not .38 Special). The British called the round the .38/200, which led to the S&W factory shorthand of K-200 for this model.
The K-200s were mostly shipped with five-inch barrels. After the war, many such guns were released to the commercial market and had their barrels cut to two inches. This resulted in the loss of the front locking lug for the ejector rod, which is why your barrel treatment looks a little unusual to you.
These converted BSRs were also usually bored out to let the guns shoot .38 Special. Sometimes this was a simple deepening of the chambers in the revolver, but higher-end conversions involved overboring and sleeving the chambers, then boring the sleeves to accept .38 Special ammo. That's the preferred way to go.
The small logo on the side plate is a little unusual. S&Ws at this time had a larger sideplate logo.
The gun was reblued, presumably at the time the barrel was modified. The stocks are not original.
Oops, a minute late. But Alan said the same thing.
The K-200s were mostly shipped with five-inch barrels. After the war, many such guns were released to the commercial market and had their barrels cut to two inches. This resulted in the loss of the front locking lug for the ejector rod, which is why your barrel treatment looks a little unusual to you.
These converted BSRs were also usually bored out to let the guns shoot .38 Special. Sometimes this was a simple deepening of the chambers in the revolver, but higher-end conversions involved overboring and sleeving the chambers, then boring the sleeves to accept .38 Special ammo. That's the preferred way to go.
The small logo on the side plate is a little unusual. S&Ws at this time had a larger sideplate logo.
The gun was reblued, presumably at the time the barrel was modified. The stocks are not original.
Oops, a minute late. But Alan said the same thing.
OP
Thanks for the quick reply's. It still shoots very well and has had many 38 special ball and HP through it although now it mostly sits in a safe. I doubt I would ever sell it but any idea what it's worth?
Value is not high for these modified guns, partly because so many were made and partly because of the modifications. No matter how well the alterations may have been done, they are still alterations. I would value this one at $150-200. In comparison, an unmodified BSR in shooting condition but with a rough or worn original finish might bring $300-350.
If your gun was converted to .38 Special by sleeving the chambers, that would support a slightly higher value than just boring them deeper. See if the gun chambers both .38 Special and .38 S&W; if so, that denotes a hasty conversion. If the gun takes only .38 Special, then it was properly converted. It still lacks the front locking lug under the barrel, though, and that's a definite value decreaser.
If your gun was converted to .38 Special by sleeving the chambers, that would support a slightly higher value than just boring them deeper. See if the gun chambers both .38 Special and .38 S&W; if so, that denotes a hasty conversion. If the gun takes only .38 Special, then it was properly converted. It still lacks the front locking lug under the barrel, though, and that's a definite value decreaser.
OP
I've been very curious about this gun for years and the more research I did the more questions it brought. I really appreciate your help. It has more sentimental value to me than cash value. I will try a .38 S&W to determine the conversion method. Thanks.
