S&W Pre-Model 10?

[Draw4u]

I could use some help and input here. I just did some trading on an old S&W Revolver. The guy I got it from has had it since 1968 and it belonged to his Dad prior to 1968 but he wasn't sure how old it was. I was told that it was a M&P Pre-Model 10. What can you tell me? Here are my questions and the details.

Serial 900631 on the bottom of the butt and bottom of the barrel (no prefix or suffix)
Chambered in 38 S&W CTG
On the left side of the barrel, it has "1-150" stamped in it and right below that is "4 TONS PER O". Also has a Crown looking symbol with BNP
On the crane, it has 4 1402 stamped in it
On the cylinder, it has the Crown symbol and BNP 6 times
It has wooden grips but also came with a set of white grips that the owner said were on it when he received it from his Dad.

Questions
1. What model is it? Is it a Pre-Model 10?
2. When was it made?
3. Are these white grips a simulated ivory grip? Are they original to the gun? Any value?
4. How do I know if it was a M&P model?
5. What do the markings mean?
6. I am not looking to sell but would like to know what the estimated current value is?

I can take more pics of needed.

 

[jtcarm]

1940-1945

A war baby.

 

[DWalt]

It is a British Service Revolver (BSR) that probably shipped around 3-4/1942. Probably converted to .38 Special, appears to have been refinished. Grips are not original. It would be called a pre-Victory M&P BSR. It would have been a Lend-Lease gun, essentially given to the British by the US during WWII. Don't count on it being very valuable, worth whatever a shooter-grade revolver is worth to someone, no collector value, maybe a few hundred. These were surplussed out by the British from the mid-1950 to the late 1960s, imported by the boatload, and sold mail order very cheaply back in the 1960s. It is one of those imports, is an M&P, it is not a pre-Model 10.

If it will accept a .38 Special cartridge fully, it has been converted from its original .38 S&W caliber.

 

[Draw4u]

thanks for the info. Not sure if it matter but the serial on the cylinder matches as well. Here is a pic with a 38 SPL in the cylinder. Is this what you mean as fully going in?

It is a British Service Revolver (BSR) that probably shipped around 3-4/1942. Probably converted to .38 Special, appears to have been refinished. Grips are not original. It would be called a pre-Victory M&P BSR. It would have been a Lend-Lease gun, essentially given to the British by the US during WWII. Don't count on it being very valuable, worth whatever a shooter-grade revolver is worth to someone, no collector value, maybe a few hundred. These were surplussed out by the British from the mid-1950 to the late 1960s, imported by the boatload, and sold mail order very cheaply back in the 1960s. It is one of those imports, is an M&P, it is not a pre-Model 10.

If it will accept a .38 Special cartridge fully, it has been converted from its original .38 S&W caliber.

 

[DWalt]

Fully going in means that the case rim seats on the rear face of the cylinder. The original chamber was shorter and will not allow the longer .38 Special case to fully seat. Conversion is essentially the operation of drilling the chamber more deeply. A very high percentage of the imported BSRs received that conversion, destroying any collectible value they might otherwise have had.

A high condition unconverted BSR today might bring $500-$600. The same BSR with converted chambers will bring maybe half or less of that. Collectors do not want them because they are no longer original. Originality in all respects is essential.

 

[Draw4u]

Thanks. And wanted to add that it is a 4" barrel since I had someone message me and ask.

Fully going in means that the case rim seats on the rear face of the cylinder. The original chamber was shorter and will not allow the longer .38 Special case to fully seat. Conversion is essentially the operation of drilling the chamber more deeply. A very high percentage of the imported BSRs received that conversion, destroying any collectible value they might otherwise have had.

A high condition unconverted BSR today might bring $500-$600. The same BSR with converted chambers will bring maybe half or less of that. Collectors do not want them because they are no longer original. Originality in all respects is essential.

 

[DWalt]

BSRs of that period will typically have 5" barrels. Early BSRs could have different lengths. Some conversions included shortening of barrels, most often to 2" or 3.5". It is possible yours has a shortened barrel and a re-affixed front sight. Or it may have a shorter replacement barrel. Check to see if the SN stamped on the flat on the bottom of the barrel matches the one on the butt and the rear face of the cylinder. If it does, the barrel was probably shortened. Also see if the front sight appears to have been soldered on. But it is possible that it may have shipped originally with a 4" barrel. A non matching barrel SN means that it has been replaced, but that would be unlikely.

 

[Draw4u]

The serial numbers all match on the butt, cylinder and barrel. Here is a pic of the front sight

BSRs of that period will typically have 5" barrels. Early BSRs could have different lengths. Some conversions included shortening of barrels. It is possible yours has a shortened barrel and a re-affixed front sight. Or it may have a shorter replacement barrel. Check to see if the SN stamped on the flat on the bottom of the barrel matches the one on the butt and the rear face of the cylinder. If it does, the barrel was probably shortened. Also see if the front sight appears to have been soldered on. But it is possible that it may have shipped originally with a 4" barrel. A non matching barrel SN means that it has been replaced, but that would be unlikely.