S&W 38 pre model 10 in 38 special??

[mred123]

Has anyone ever heard of a S&W 38 pre model 10 with Brit proof marks being in S&W 38 special and not S&W 38? Is this revolver rare? thanks to all in advance...

 

[PJGP]

All American firearms sold to civilians in the UK had to be Birmingham or London proofed in the UK, because the US had no compulsory proof. I assume that this is still the case, but I left the sinking ship 31 years ago!

You didn't say if the proof marks on your 38 were civilian or military, but I have assumed the former.

Peter

 

[opoefc]

mred123, Do you know the serial number of the gun you are asking about? There are several situations where you can find a legit Pre Model 10 in .38 Special caliber with British proofs. (1) A S&W Model 1905, 4th change, in .38 Special caliber, sent to Britain as a US civilian donation for the "Battle of Britain, in 1939-40 era, (2) a similar gun supplied to the Brits by S&W as compensation for the Model 1940 Light Rifle fiasco, (3) a Pre-Victory gun bought by the British, when not enough guns in caliber 38S&W were available to complete an order, or (4) a gun originally in .38S&W that has had the cylinder chambers bored out to accept .38 Special rounds, as done to 1,000s of surplus Victory models after WW2, by British & US gun dealers. Having said all the above, the gun would not have British proofs unless it was originally intended to be sold to the British civilian gun market after WW2, by a British gun dealer. Ed.