My first, and I think I am hooked already.

[cookie077]

Hello. I am new to handguns and have just made my first buy. She is a little rough but I felt a connection as soon has I held her so I had no choice. Needs a proper thumb piece and nut as well as a new pin for the hammer nose. Going shopping for them soon.
Grip has no pencil marks inside but has a stamped number in the wood 194154. Number does not match frame. Frame and cylinder numbers match, as well as barrel and extractor. 7395XX with a P on frame near number. Barrel is engraved 38 S.&W. and stamped 38/380.
Under the grips done in electric pencil is N0202-59742-50304 very neatly done for such small numbers.
Does anyone know how close this was built to the switch to V numbers. I will sent for history papers some time but for now was going to spent the $ on ammo.
Here Is a Picture.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r120/tech863/sw001.jpg

 

[cookie077]

Hello. I am new to handguns and have just made my first buy. She is a little rough but I felt a connection as soon has I held her so I had no choice. Needs a proper thumb piece and nut as well as a new pin for the hammer nose. Going shopping for them soon.
Grip has no pencil marks inside but has a stamped number in the wood 194154. Number does not match frame. Frame and cylinder numbers match, as well as barrel and extractor. 7395XX with a P on frame near number. Barrel is engraved 38 S.&W. and stamped 38/380.
Under the grips done in electric pencil is N0202-59742-50304 very neatly done for such small numbers.
Does anyone know how close this was built to the switch to V numbers. I will sent for history papers some time but for now was going to spent the $ on ammo.
Here Is a Picture.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r120/tech863/sw001.jpg

 

[JayCeeNC]

Welcome to the Forum, Cookie!
I'm sure some of the more knowledgeable guys will be along shortly and provide you with some information.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Hi Cookie077;

That is an appealing revolver you're showing us there. Built for a large British contract on the eve of our entry to World War II, your M&P isn't far at all from the beginning of the "V" series when considering a time line history of Smith & Wesson. There's folks here that know the intricacies of the WWII M&P British contract revolvers that can fill in more details. One could build a detailed collection of the British contract revolvers alone.

I'm thinking it would have originally been shipped with checkered medallion stocks.

The cartridge used in it was termed the .38/200 by the British which was basically the .38 S&W cartridge but featured a heavier bullet. The .38/200 first featured a honkin' great 200 grain lead bullet but was later provided with a 178 grain jacketed bullet which was more in keeping with Hague conventions.

Even the 178 grain bullet is notably heavier than modern American .38 S&W ammunition. It wouldn't be unusual for your gun to shoot a bit lower than point of aim at normal handgun distances with American factory lead .38 S&W which I believe is standardized in 146 grain weight. Original ammunition or a hand loaded duplicate using a bit heavier bullet will place the bullet at point of aim. You really ought to treat yourself to firing that great piece of history.

Thanks for joining us and for posting the photo. I like the looks of that one.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Hey cookie077;

Am just now tidying up my loading bench and found an appropriate late '30s thumb piece and nut for your revolver. Please advise me of your address by PM and I'll send it along.

 

[opoefc]

cookie077, Welcome to the Forum. The above info. is correct and your gun was one of the revolvers purchased by the Brits in 1941 era. The gun is called a "Pre-Victory" by collectors, as it was a Brit. wartime purchase before the US entered the war and started making the S&W Victory model in early 1942. The original grips would have be walnut checkered with silver medalions. The current grips are from a Victory Model. Is the butt set up for a lanyard swivel. Some are and some aren't.

 

[cookie077]

I am overwhelmed by the response guys. I never expected so much feed back on my first post. What a great site and members.

I am going to try pictures again when she is all cleaned up.

bmcgilvray. Thank You for the offer. I will pm you.

opoefc. Yes I am set up for a lanyard and it does show some marks around the hole so it looks like it had one at one time. I figured the grips were wrong due to the lack of matching #. Its good to confirm it. Now I know what belongs on her. Thank You.

 

[Combat]

Here is a pic of one with the right grips.

 

[Swissman]

Cookie, welcome to the forum! Maybe this sounds a bit strange......but.....am I completely wrong, if I would say you're a carpenter?

Swissman

 

[opoefc]

cookie077, The original lanyard swivels and the little retaining pin are sometimes found on ebay or can be ordered from GunParts Corp (Numrich) in NewYork. It' an easy replacement and will bring your gun back to original appearance. The swivels can be blue or casehardened - either style is correct. The same swivel was used for the Model 1917s and they are interchangeable. Many times swivels are sold w/o the retaining pin, but those can be made quickly from a piece of a nail and cold blued. Good Luck! Ed.

 

[cookie077]

Combat - Thank You for putting up that picture. I will file it for reference.

Swissman - No I am not a carpenter. Wish I had some of skills required. Always have a pencil around for the times I try to be one.

Ofoefc - Thanks for the extra info.

 

[cookie077]

Hello everyone. I am still playing with my new/old toy. I have been trying to find out about a stamping mark. So far I have not been able to find a description of it or a picture to compare to. It is a "C" with 3 lines in it. It is located behind the thumbpiece. I have taken a picture but since it did not turn out well I highlighted the mark in paint. I suspect that since its a C it may mean that it was a Canadian service revolver.
Does anyone have some info on this mark, or seen it somewhere.

Thanks Cookie

 

[Rigmover]

Yup Canadian Broad Arrow they call that.Canadian Military Service Revolver WWII.

 

[cookie077]

Thank You Rigmover

 

[cookie077]

My ATT paper work came in the mail so I headed straight out to the range.

I now have half a box of empty brass. Very happy with how she operated. SA trigger pull feels very nice. DA works good but I was pulling the gun all over.

I do think I was hitting low using the factory Winchester 145gr. Going to try and find some heavier bullets when I get into reloading.

I was pretty well all over the paper at 25 yards. I need a lot of improvement and being really excited did not help. Recoil was very mild. I am looking forward to my next time out.

Happy shooting and Thank You to everyone that have helped me learn about this fine old handgun.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Hey, if you were ON the paper at 25 yards you're already doing better than gobs of folks can do with a hand gun.

The .38 S&W is actually a nice cartridge. Well mannered and it's bound to be as effective as a .380 when "push comes to shove."

You can really make that WWII M&P "walk and talk" when you begin hand loading for it.

 

[cookie077]

A big Thank You out to bmcgilvray.

I received the thumb piece and nut and have installed them.

Here is a picture.

ps when I was out shooting I was using pretty big targets. The big ones you use for sighting in scopes.

 

[papabyrd]

Here is where they put the canadian mark on my previctory.papabyrd