What have I found?

[6actual]

anyone know exactly what this smith is? Picked this up over the weekend, S&W 1905? M&P? its in .38 S&W, not 38 spl six digit SN# 966***. All numbers match, marked on cylinder, under barrel and bottom of grip

picked it up on a whim, just cause it felt very nice in my hand, bigger than a J frame but feels smaller than a modern k frame
Thanks

 

[AuDoc]

I like that. Just about perfect.

 

[Andy Lowry]

Whoa, that's really sharp. I might not have been able to resist that, either, even though I'd have to get yet another set of dies.

 

[6actual]

I really like it, just wish I knew exactly what it is its a little outside of the revolvers I usually accumulate

 

[JP@AK]

It may be an early enough BSR to have the 4" barrel, although the BSR was standardized at 5" in October, 1940 (I believe I got that from Pate). Some with the 4" barrel may have later slipped through the cracks. Serial number 999999 was reached on April 24, 1942.

A decent acquisition.

The stocks on it are much older than the gun. Those went out of production c. 1920.

 

[JP@AK]

Also, the rearmost sideplate screw has been replaced. They didn't go to a flat head screw in that location until after the war.

 

[6actual]

Its appears originally blued with a patina from age of course, has no british proof marks and barrel is marked .38 S&W ctg. 38spl won't fit, markings are centered on barrel, has lazy ampersand, excellent bore and good lockup. I got just because I just liked the balance and feel and was reasonably priced

 

[DWalt]

It's a pre-Victory BSR. 966xxx would date its probable shipment to be around April 1942. Grips on it are from the 1911-19 era. A 4" BSR from that time period is a little odd, but possible.

 

[6actual]

It's a pre-Victory BSR. 966xxx would date its probable shipment to be around April 1942. Grips on it are from the 1911-19 era. A 4" BSR from that time period is a little odd, but possible.

Pardon my absence of knowledge on this, are no British proof marks normal for a BSR? (which I take to mean British Service Revolver)

 

[DWalt]

That is correct. Those seen proofed were done when the British surplussed them out for commercial sale back in the 1950s-60s. British law required it.

 

[6actual]

Thanks Dwalt, no proofs marks and chambered in 38 S&W perhaps stayed in the US and never left for England or a vets bring back?

 

[jsfricks]

And it is a K frame.

 

[DWalt]

Thanks Dwalt, no proofs marks and chambered in 38 S&W perhaps stayed in the US and never left for England or a vets bring back?

Likely the latter. Unmolested original BSRs in .38 S&W are not very common these days.

 

[Absalom]

I'm a bit surprised that none of my fellow Victory nerds seems to find this as totally odd as it is. Neither the blued-patinaed finish, nor the 4" barrel, nor the apparent absence of the UNITED STATES PROPERTY stamp (I assume it would have been mentioned) make any sense on a BSR for April 1942. If the serials all match, I suppose it is real, but in context it is a very odd duck.

 

[Absalom]

And I just notice one thing that doesn't show in the photo and nobody has mentioned: Since the lanyard swivel is missing, is the hole present? Also, there would have to be at least the P proof on the butt.

 

[Absalom]

Based on the barrel stamping, the OP's gun is an originally 5" BSR that had its barrel shortened to 4" and was therefore almost certainly blued over the original finish.

Take a look at the attached and the position of the caliber stamping relative to the ejector rod knob, and compare these to the OP's gun.

Pic. 1 shows an original 4" BSR confirmed from the South African contract (apologies to forum member GRI for borrowing the photo without asking). Pic. 2 is a 5" BSR from 1941.

You will observe that the position of the caliber stamping on the 4" barrel is further left, with the 38 being to the left of the knob, while on the 5" it is above the knob. You will also observe that the stamping on the OP's barrel corresponds to the standard 5" barrel location.

I suspect the missing markings fell victim to the refinish, which, given the finish's patina and weathered appearance, occurred a long time ago.

 

[6actual]

BSR Mystery

No lanyard hole or .mil markings any where that i can see, US or Brit
markings. The factory marks present and clear

 

[6actual]

more photos

 

[Absalom]

No lanyard hole or .mil markings any where that i can see, US or Brit
markings. The factory marks present and clear
........

I can actually make out the partial contours of the lanyard hole plug next to the serial, and it appears to be under the present finish, which would confirm my point.

 

[6actual]

OK thanks Absalom, you got me curious so I pulled grips and sure enough it was originally drilled for lanyard. Somebody sure went through a lot of trouble long ago. It didnt look like a reblue, all the lettering and badges are clear and crisp minus normal aging and wear