The Round Butt K-Frame .38 Special Thread

[zipty6]

I believe this .38 Military & Police Airweight to be from 1956, but I may be off by a year.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

4" Model 12-3 from 1982.
Sadly, this one's moving to a new home tomorrow.

No-o-o-o!

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[mikepriwer]

Bryan

I'll start now with two guns for which I already have the pictures on this forum. These are two sequential-serial-number 2" .38 M&P's. Serial numbers are 694105 & 694106.

694105 was the subject of longish story in the Autumn 1993 S&WCA Journal. It was shipped in 1946, which I thought was very late and very strange. The other gun, 694106, with the wood stocks, was shipped in 1940, which is the 'right' date for that serial number.

The reason for this shipping-date-mismatch is not completely understood, although a lot more is known about it since 1993. The US was already beginning preparations for WW2 in 1940, and the late-shipped guns from that period are all 2" round-butt .38 M&P's. Most square butt 2" M&P's were shipped at the 'right' time, as were other barrel lengths. 694106 was a LEO shipment, going to the Boston PD. 694105 was a commercial shipment, going to Lou Eppinger Guns in Detroit.

694105 has the hard black rubber grips, and 694106 has the checkered walnut grips. There are, now, several other known 2" round-butt .38 M&P's within very close serial-number proximity, that are also late shipped - exactly like 694105. 694101 is one of them.

It's now thought, and I emphasize thought, that the 2" round-butt guns, in the summer of 1940, were needed for some military training, and were being withheld from the commercial market. 694106 went to an LEO organization; apparently they were exempt from being diverted to this other use.

At the time I wrote the story in 1993, Roy Jinks took a person interest in the late shipment date, and wrote a one-page addition. Here is a copy of Roy's addition to the story.

I'll continue my contribution to this thread when I get some more pictures posted.

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[SVT28]

Here's my humble contribution to this thread. I left out the 64s as the model 10/12 looks to be the focal point here. I'm still on the hunt for a pre war round butt at a good price. Pictured are 2 model 10 4 screw no dashes, serials a couple hundred away, a really early 10-5 and a 12-3 also snuck into the picture All of my k frame snubs have a special place in my heart.

SVT28

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[tomdrpm]

Here is my only RB K frame. SN C395505 Non model number marked, 4 screws. No serial number on barrel or cylinder. Stocks are numbered to the frame. Also shown with some genuine Roper square butt conversion stocks and custom holster.

 

[bigwagon]

At the time I wrote the story in 1993, Roy Jinks took a person interest in the late shipment date, and wrote a one-page addition. Here is a copy of Roy's addition to the story.

Interesting comment about the possible South African connection. That mark could also be ZA for Zuid-Afrikaanse.

 

[bigwagon]

Here's my contribution: a pre-war 2-inch M&P. I replaced the incorrect grips with a set of hard rubber grips since this was taken.

 

[bruce5781]

5" 32-20 Target Model

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[mikepriwer]

That mark could also be ZA for Zuid-Afrikaanse.

Bigwagon:

Its not a military mark. Kevin Williams did a very thorough search, and its not military.
I believe it's "VA" run together, and I have reason to believe it stands for Van Allen, perhaps someone's name. I'll try to post a document that suggests that.

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[bruce5781]

Model of 1899 38 Spl.
Edit: Oops. Looks like I got two different guns in there.

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[Toyman]

64-6 shipped July 2008 MIM parts but no lock. must have been in vault for a few years.

 

[max503]

How about a home made one?

Before

I had the whole gun. Didn't take any pictures until I had it apart.

After

Revolver was surplused off from a local guard company. Perfect insides; probably never shot. Ratty outside. Found a three inch "parts kit" on Gunbroker.

Maj. George Nonte wrote extensively about converting square butt guns to round butt. He also wrote about shortening barrels and stuff like that.

 

[cmansguns]

US Army Model 1899, barrel marked 38 Mil, s/n 13030, I believe the gun is the lowest s/n in the data base of the 1000 made (s/n 13001 to 14000 per SCSW)

I have heard that "38 Mil" was the modern smokeless (circa 1900) that was also known as 38 Long Colt.

Can I play without the 38 Special on the bbl marks?

Needless to say.....I'm not contemplating running +P through this old gun!

 

[larryofcc]

US Army Model 1899, barrel marked 38 Mil, s/n 13030, I believe the gun is the lowest s/n in the data base of the 1000 made (s/n 13001 to 14000 per SCSW)

I have heard that "38 Mil" was the modern smokeless (circa 1900) that was also known as 38 Long Colt.

Can I play without the 38 Special on the bbl marks?

Needless to say.....I'm not contemplating running +P through this old gun!

Is that a KSM on the stocks? Big Larry

 

[bruce5781]

Model of 1899 #16436
Shipped October 1901.

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[cmansguns]

Is that a KSM on the stocks? Big Larry

Larryofcc;

The KSM (US Army Ordnance Inspector, Kelly S Morse) is on the left frame (above the grip) and also on the right stock panel. The left stock panel is JTT (John T. Thompson of Tommy gun fame) also a US Army Inspector and the number 1901.

Still trying to find out what the "02" stamped on lower left grip panel stands for.

 

[scha]

How about a Model 64 Round Butt with Tapered Barrel. I sent a used 64 and a used barrel to the factory and they did the conversion. This is a Model 64-5 from 1989 and it is one of my favorite revolvers to shoot.

 

[les.b]

I don't have a lot of these, and not sure where the photos all are, but here's one to get started...shipped in April, 1949:

Edit...correct the ship date. I had mistyped "1945", I meant to type "1949". Just noticed the typo. Big difference!!

Best Regards, Les

 

[RKmesa]

...another stubby M&P...

 

[BE Mike]

My model 10-5. When I saw it for a good price, I snapped it up for sentimental reasons. It is just like the one I was issued in 1968 in RVN, minus the grip adapter. It isn't my favorite revolver to shoot, but I'll probably not part with it.