NEED HELP IDENTIFYING THIS REVOLVER

[Bruce131]

I just purchased what the Firearms Registration people have determined to be a Hand Ejector 38 Military & Police Victory Model.
I would like to get more detailed info from those with more knowledge on this forum.
It is first of all a .22 revolver with a "V" prefix serial number; one line 'Made In USA' with a 4 screw side plate and the cylinder lock screw in front of trigger guard.
The hammer block is the older type (depressed into side plate during cocking).
BNP proofs on barrel, every chamber and a proof left side near front of trigger guard.
I believe probably dates to about 1941-42 but definitely pre 1944.
Any help on further identifying this gun and thoughts on value would be appreciated as I have found no info on Victory .22 Target Revolvers which is what this appears to be to my undereducated eye.
Will try to get pics reduced in size to add later; sorry.

Thanks
Bruce

 

[DWalt]

Very likely a postwar modification of a Victory BSR done in England. They show up now and then.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! If you are able, quoting the full serial number will give you a pretty exact age from someone here.

Some .38/200 (British Service) revolvers were converted to .22 LR in England. I believe this was done years ago when centerfire handguns were either outlawed or made very difficult to possess/sell.

 

[glowe]

Welcome to the Forum. Your revolver should have a right side barrel stamp with the caliber. Let us know what it says. With the BNP stamp, it should be a 38/200 British Service Revolver made in the Victory serial number range.

 

[Absalom]

Sometimes on the .22 target conversions of the British Victorys, the barrel was replaced with a 6" .22 cal. barrel. Sleeving is less common, but would be the case if the barrel still says .38 S&W CTG.

Stamps also usually on the barrel might also reveal whether the gun was converted in Britain (if the Birmingham proofs are for .22) or later in Canada (if for .38, or no caliber-specific proofs at all).

 

[DWalt]

This is probably what you have:

 

[Bruce131]

Thanks to all who responded

Your responses have been very informative and allowed me to examine this gun more closely after giving it a thorough cleaning, including its' innards which had not seen daylight or cleaning for years.
The barrel is a 6" marked .22LR .610' after the BNP proof mark and after cleaning one can see the inserts in each chamber which explains why the cylinder ser. no. matched the frame and also why each chamber was proofed.
Now seeing the pics has anyone an estimate as to value as I cannot see it being too high if they were converting them by the hundreds.
Thanks again,

Bruce

 

[OLDSTER]

Hi from North Dakota I agree with DWALT

 

[erikpolcrack]

Welcome! If you are able, quoting the full serial number will give you a pretty exact age from someone here.

Some .38/200 (British Service) revolvers were converted to .22 LR in England. I believe this was done years ago when centerfire handguns were either outlawed or made very difficult to possess/sell.

My eyes aren't the best, but a blow-up of the last photo looks to me like V 754253.

 

[Absalom]

My eyes aren't the best, but a blow-up of the last photo looks to me like V 754253.

That's a very late one, made toward the end of 1944. It likely saw little or no service once over there; shortly after, further Lend-Lease revolver shipments to Britain were cancelled as the end was near. I suspect British converters picked out these nicer less worn guns for target guns.

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know how many they converted to .22 but they are much much less common than the various treatments of .38s.
I would want one to go in a collection of WWII Smiths.

 

[Green Frog]

Welcome to the S&W Forum, Bruce131. As you have discovered, you have a revolver that started out as a "British Service Revolver" made in the US for the British military during WW II. After the war, the glut of what we now call "GI Surplus" presented great commercial opportunities.

The storied British Sporting Arms Industry rose to the occasion and did their best to make them more marketable, especially in North America. Some of these modifications were quite good, some were questionable, and some, like your example were ingenious. IMHO, these 22 conversions were the best and most useful of them all.

As to value, this is difficult to ascertain, especially internationally! Unlike most altered military pieces, the 22 conversion of the BSR has a certain market among collectors, and to the right buyer could be quite the prize. Since the 22 conversion required much more skill and effort than others, it is less common (but not rare) than the various 38s.

Here in Virginia I would expect to see it priced anywhere from $400 to $700 or more, and if it was in good operational condition be happy to pay $400-500 for it myself. Lots of room for debate on this part of the discussion.

Froggie

 

[Waveski]

Sooo much more desirable - and less common- than a BSR converted to .38 special!
You definitely have a keeper there. Replace the lanyard ring , shoot - and brag a little.

 

[Bruce131]

Thanks to all for the further responses which let me know it's not all that common. I was surprised and pleased by estimate of value stateside and happy to say I picked it up for $275 Canadian, big smile plastered on my face now! Thanks to DWalt for copy of Ad as that is exactly what I have. After cleaning and lubing with "Seal 1" the double action is silky smooth and crisp light letoff on single. It will definitely be shot and look forward to test target to see how she performs.
Thanks again,
Bruce

 

[McShooty]

I believe the conversions of highest quality were made by Parker-Hale. Please have a look at this:

Lend Lease Conversion