Some help needed

[FredFiset]

I just purchase a 10-5 with a 6 inch barrel.
When i received it, i notice that the barrel finish was a bit different than the frame finish. As you may be aware, 4 inch and shorter barrels are prohibited here in Canada so rebarrelled revolvers are common. No big deal so far.

What bothers me is that the barrel says "38 s&w ctg" and that it had been stamped "38/380' left of the original marking. No broad arrow, no "2 1/2 tonnes" nor any other marking. Of course, the assembly number is different on the barrel than on the grip frame and the cylinder swivel arm.

The barrel is 6 inches, tapered, with a ramped front sight. Slugged bullets measure .354" (land to groove).

Is the barrel okay to shoot 38 special?

Thanks for you help!

 

[Goony]

First off, welcome to the forum.

I think we'd need to see some photos posted to get a better handle on what you have. The barrel sort of sounds like a older British Service Revolver take-off, except for the sight configuration you describe. Accuracy may not be all that one might wish when running .38 special through it.

I presume that the number on the barrel also doesn't match the serial number on the butt? If you can give us those numbers (you can substitute X's for the last two or three digits if you wish), including any letter present, that'd be helpful.

 

[MP22]

Welcome to the forum. I don't have any answers for you....but I believe someone here can help you.

 

[scha]

This sounds like a barrel from a WWII British Service Revolver with the exception of the front sight. These typically had the "half-moon" round sight. They were also usually a 5 inch barrel, but some 6 inch barrels were made. The 38 S&W bore is slightly larger than the bore for the 38 Special, so it is safe to shoot but accuracy may suffer.

The serial number of the barrel should be on the flat on the bottom of the barrel.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[DCWilson]

Sounds like the barrel may have been first installed on a Model 11, the designation for the .38 S&W version of the Model 10. This model was made until 1965.

 

[FredFiset]

Unfortunately, i can't take picture today, i may be able later this week.

Here are the markings:

Bottom of the butt: D2753xx

Frame (when cylinder swinged): MOD 10-5

Cylinder arm: 80908 (same number found on the grip frame under the grip panel)

Top of barrel: Smith & Wesson Springfield, Mass USA
Patented FEB 6.06 Sept 14.09 Dec 29.15

Side of barrel: Smith & Wesson

Other side: 38/380 (doesn't looked factory stamped)
and 38 S&W CTG

Under barrel: 734123. There is also another marking that look like a "C" or a "U" (or a crescent), far left of this number.

Hope we can find more info about this.
Thansk everybody for your help!

 

[scha]

The mark in front of the barrel serial number is likely a "V" which would make this a WWII barrel from a British Service Revolver.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[DCWilson]

If the obscure character is NOT a V, then the barrel is from a pre-victory British Service Revolver that would have shipped in 1940 or 1941. The ramp sight may mark a postwar Cogswell & Harrison conversion.

The patent dates and serial number show that the barrel could NOT be from a Model 11 as I suggested above. The Model 11 had a beveled half-round sight that might casually be called a ramp, but it really isn't.

The frame is from 1970, based on the D-prefix serial number.

 

[FredFiset]

Here are some pictures: