Pre Victory

[Len S]

I just acquired this S&W revolver. I believe it's a M1905 4th pattern also known as a Pre Victory. The pistol was made for the 38-200 cartridge. All the serial numbers match and the cylinder hasn't been bored out for .38 Special. There are no British or Commonwealth military markings or Brit. commercial pressure test proofs on it. The weapon is in really nice shape with just a bit
of holster wear on the end of the barrel.
Attached are some pics.

Len

 

[Truckman]

Very nice example......Ben

 

[Retired W4]

I see the one lonely P (proof) on the butt. Are there any markings on the top strap? I'm guessing not, as I'm sure you would have mentioned that in your detailed description of the gun. Nice looking piece.

 

[Len S]

I see the one lonely P (proof) on the butt. Are there any markings on the top strap?.

No there are no markings on the top strap.

 

[JP@AK]

No there are no markings on the top strap.

Not surprising. The United States Property stamp on the top strap, later changed to U.S. Property, was only on BSRs that shipped under the Lend/Lease Act. That bill passed Congress on March 11, 1941.

S&W started making the BSR for the UK to satisfy a debt incurred earlier in a British contract. Hence, the early BSRs were owned by Great Britain and not Lend/Lease units. Conventional wisdom indicates that the top strap stamp doesn't show up on BSRs until about serial number 880000.

I haven't looked at Pate in quite some time, but if I recall correctly, he indicates that even some BSRs that shipped in the first quarter of 1942 lacked the top strap marking.

 

[DWalt]

I believe the first Lend-Lease revolver shipments to the British began around October or November 1941. Prior shipments would not have the topstrap property stamp. Those pre-Victories were identical to pre-war S&W civilian revolvers of that time, except for the caliber. They had the civilian finish and grips. You might check to see if the right grip panel has a stamped matching serial number on the inside surface. A nice find you made.

 

[MajorD]

Probably impossible to know, but one wonders where/ if it served the commonwealth somewhere.. proofs were generally applied after service when released for civilian sale. My best guess ( and that is all it is) that it possibly was issued to a Canadian and found its way back across the border s sometime in the last 80 years?