S&W M65-3 in 38spl?

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I recently picked up a S&W M65-3 that in 38spl. The inside of the frame is stamped M65-3. The barrel is stamped 38spl. A 357 mag cartridge won't let the cylinder close, so I guess it's 38 spl. My S&W book doesn't mention the M65 in any caliber except 357 and only the M64 in 38spl. Was the frame stamped incorrectly? A gunsmith conversion? Is this a valuable rare piece or a mutt?

TIA,

Allan Schisel
 
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Welcome to the Forum. It is likely a mis-stamped frame, but other S & W .357s (model 13, 19, 686) have been made in .38 Special. Others here may have one, or if you are really curious a factory historical letter may be in order. Hope this is helpful.
 
I have a 65-2 and to the best of my limited knowledge S&W did not make the 65 in 38 Special. So maybe someone swathed barrels and cylinders? I bet one more knowledgable comes along with the answer. Shoot the heck out it, it's a great gun!
 
If it came from the factory that way, it may well be one of a kind and possibly very collectible, who knows.

I would call S&W and see what they say, maybe they know something.
 
The most likely explanation is that it is a 64 that got mis-stamped. Happens quite often. Some wag on GB has new M27"Classic" with the lock that got mis-stamped as a 58-1 . . he thinks it's worth a "buy-it-now" price of $4,000 :rolleyes:

Hope he's not holding his breath waiting for that one to sell . . . .
 
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