One more Lend lease pre victory model question

[Buzz Yooper]

So my most recent Milsurp purchase is a Pre Victory Lend Lease model... Serial is 9856xx which i have read puts it made spring of 1942... All matching numbers, including grips... Came with a period correct canvas holster.. "United States Property" on top strap. .38 S&W cal.... Holster was in decent condition, and at some point somebody had written their name on the front of the holster in ink... The sandblasted blue finish has paded to a Gray, it doesn't appear that the gun was fired much.. Bore and chambers are mint, very little wear inside the recoil shield where the center pin rubs on it when opened and closed...

This is my question... There are no British proofs at all,,Bottom of the grip has "WB" and flaming bomb.. Also, no Import stamp..... It is likely that this revolver and holster was a "Bring Back" ??? Or possibly never left the states??? I'm thinking "bring Back", because of the holster, but I'd like some opinions from some folks who know more about these...

and one more question... What date did S&W start doing the sand blast blue treatment...??
Thanks for any help...

 

[opoefc]

It's either a bring back or never left the US. More likely a bring back, however it's uncertain if the bring back included the holster, or if that was added by a later owner. These pre-Victory did not receive any British proofing when received from S&W ( or Remington, the British Purchasing agent for the Pre-Victorys ) . If After WW2 they became surplus and then if sold to a British gun dealer, then proofing was needed for resale in England.. Sand blast blue started in early 1942.

 

[Delta Romeo]

It's either a bring back or never left the US. More likely a bring back, however it's uncertain if the bring back included the holster, or if that was added by a later owner. These pre-Victory did not receive any British proofing when received from S&W ( or Remington, the British Purchasing agent for the Pre-Victorys ) . If After WW2 they became surplus and then if sold to a British gun dealer, then proofing was needed for resale in England.. Sand blast blue started in early 1942.

I appreciate your comments Opoefc. I have one too all numbers match, in 38 S&W, but mine has all the British proof marks. The end of your comments filled in the puzzle a bit about how mine got back to the states.