RAF Handgun?

[J D Boyle]

I bought a box-a-guns. Inside was a Model 10 hand ejector. Ser # 699113, 6" barrel, S&W .38, 5 screws, RH side "RAF" on frame below "made in the USA" and an arrow cartouche point upward. Has a lanyard ring. Shows honest wear on grips which appear original. Some light pitting, nothing major. The question is what did I buy? JeromeinOmaha

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! It sounds like a British Service Revolver or a .38 Special M&P that was sold commercially to the British Commonwealth for WWII. You're going have to post pictures so the experts can comment.

 

[JP@AK]

As Guy wrote, we need to see some pictures. I can say, based on your description, that it cannot be a Model 10. If it is chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge, it is a very early BSR, according to your stated serial number.

 

[Targets Guy]

S/N 698xxx shipped 8/1940
S/N 711xxx shipped 1/1941


The closest I have to your s/n is 675xxx. It shipped 3/1939





All you need now is an RAF holster

 

[Absalom]

Ser # 699113, 6" barrel, S&W .38, 5 screws, RH side "RAF" on frame below "made in the USA" and an arrow cartouche point upward. Has a lanyard ring....

Indeed, pictures would be helpful.

By the serial, and if it is indeed .38 S&W, it is an early British Service M&P from 1940.

The RAF did indeed stamp RAF on the frame of some of its revolvers, although I‘ve seen it only on Enfields.

The British broad arrow, however, was never in a cartouche, so that description of yours really only fits the Canadian “arrow inside a C”. The 6” barrel also would go with a Canadian gun, as statistically Canada seems to have gotten a lot of those.

 

[opoefc]

Beware that some time ago, a Calif. dealer was sold several Victory models, all unmarked, in a legal sale by a member of the S&WCA. Shortly thereafter, the same guns appeared in the dealers catalog with "RAF" stamps. Roy Jinks and I both contacted the dealer about his fakes, and were told " I don't make fakes, I make representative examples " somewhere I have the serial numbers of those fakes recorded, when I find it, I'll post them on the Forum. There are legit. RAF marked Victory models and the posters gun may be one. Ed .

 

[Sergeant_Pilot]

Can you post the list of known RAF fakes?

 

[PJGP]

The RAF did indeed stamp RAF on the frame of some of its revolvers, although I‘ve seen it only on Enfields.

Here is my RAF S&W Burke.

Peter