Mystery S&W

andy52

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I was checking out some local real estate auction for any S&Ws and came across this one. There are 5 S&Ws in this auction but this one has me baffled there is no description and only this one photo which isn't all that good. It's a 5 screw gun with a humpback hammer and appears to be a frankingun of some sort and I was hoping maybe someone here could come up with the type of S&W it started out as.
 

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It has the the single-line MADE IN USA, so a pre-1948 M&P frame.

The adjustable sight is a later addition too.

So maybe a former British Service Revolver?
 
I'd guess a chopped M&P from the 30's based on the address and LERK. Any caliber info?

Pretty unclear on the caliber the listing it just says 3-S&W .38 cal., one S&W .45 cal. and one .22lr
 
. Looks like a put together mess to me.

It doesn't have to be a mess. If it's indeed a former BSR, somebody put some work into it. The sideways view isn't sufficient to tell, but it looks like they machined the track for the rear sight into the topstrap fairly decently. The different coloration of the cylinder finish COULD even mean they switched in a new cylinder, maybe in .38 Special.

Obviously not a gun anybody would need, or that would make you say "I gotta have that!" But it could be a good shooter with basic lead target loads.
 
I got to looking at the other pictures and the one mentioned as a .45 cal appears to be a Model of 1989 with a unfluted cylinder in five inch.
It has that mat black finish S&W use on those guns. I might just have to go and have a look at these if the model 25 is a long colt I might just give it a go. The auction is still a month off I'll have to mark it on the calendar so I don't forget about it.
 
If it's a converted BSR I'd want to know if it chambers 38 Special and if it will still chamber 38 S&W. Then again, I'd wonder if I wanted a converted BSR at all.
 
...a better look perhaps...

1amysterygun.png
 
Its kinda ugly but cool in a way too.

It is just from a time when people had the ability to do things like this.

They also had the time to do it but not the money to go out and buy what they wanted.

Someone had an ol' cheap gun, made it what they wanted.

I bet it works, kinda...

Thanks for sharing!
 
Looks like an add on rib on the barrel. Cylinder finish doesn't look quite the same either. Knock around gun or a project piece. Could be a lot of fun both to work on and plink around with.

I have an 10-2, I picked up years ago with a cracked forcing cone. It has been my learning experience gun. Now has a 2 1/2 357 barrel (its 3rd barrel) a 19-3 cylinder, adjustable sights, round butted. Not very pretty. But, it shots fine and if something happened to it I wouldn't be very upset. Maybe I should seal it up in chunk of plastic pipe with a hundred rounds and some descant and bury it somewhere. The final just in case gun. LOL

Got one of the model 10 gun smith specials coming from J&G for another no worries, project gun
 
It looks like a pre-WW2 .38, with a post-WW2 adjustable rear sight, a cut barrel, and some kind of rib on the barrel, which might be tack-welded on to the barrel.

Mike Priwer
 
The large sideplate logo on the one hand, and the MADE IN USA stamp on the other hand, bracket the frame between 1936/37 and 1948. If the ejector rod assembly is original, to 1947, but the underbarrel profile looks a bit off; cylinder with rod and/or barrel could be non-original.

Within that ten-year period, just numerically a war-time pre-Victory or Victory is a lot more likely. But that would mean a refinish in blue which then has browned into a patina-like color, a bit of a stretch.

Okay, enough sherlocking for now. Let us know the serial when and if you can get to the gun; preferably on butt as well as barrel and cylinder ;)
 
No expert! More of a "vision": 'It', lying on that same cloth. Photo in dimly lit room, between streaks of lighting illuminating the... Lab! Large man, face contorted, hunched over "IT". Arms raised, shouting theatrically... "It's Alive!"
:) :) :)

'IF' I acquired it, most likely for the "Humpback", as a swap-donor! Then to 'pass on'; putting to rest in some other's care! Objectively, in wider generic sense, a lot of these "customs" around. At best, cleverly done & almost art forms. At worst... Not to discuss. In between, many pieces around exuding utilitarian view as about kindest... "If it works, it's good!"

Just my take.
Best & Be Safe!
John
 
Last edited:
No expert! More of a "vision": 'It', lying on that same cloth. Photo in dimly lit room, between streaks of lighting illuminating the... Lab! Large man, face contorted, hunched over "IT". Arms raised, shouting theatrically... "It's Alive!"
:) :) :)

'IF' I acquired it, most likely for the "Humpback", as a swap-donor! Then to 'pass on'; putting to rest in some other's care! Objectively, in wider generic sense, a lot of these "customs" around. At best, cleverly done & almost art forms. At worst... Not to discuss. In between, many pieces around exuding utilitarian view as about kindest... "If it works, it's good!"

Just my take.



Best & Be Safe!
John

"Humpback Hammer?" Isn't that just a standard pre 1948 M&P hammer?
 
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