.38 S&W (need help)

[clochridge]

I don't know much about this gun but would really like to find out what model and possibly the value. It was my great-grandfather's and he used it in a war. (WWI or WWII, not sure but I'm almost certain it was WWI because his son served in WWII)

On the butt of the gun there is a ring, on the left side of the ring there is a number (serial #?) which reads 902557, on the right side of the ring is a W.B. then a space and a figure 8 shape with a small P after that.

On the right side of the gun above the handle is the smith and wesson trade mark.

Also on the right underneath the cylinder is "MADE IN U.S.A"

On the right of the barrel is "38 S. & W. CTG" with a symbol I can't make out following the ctg.

The top of the barrel says smith and wesson springfield mass usa and then a bunch of pat. stuff.

On the frame of the gun right above the cylinder says "UNITED STATES PROPERTY"

When I open the cylinder, the number on the inside of the frame says M4 and underneath that says 44586.

On the left side of the frame above the handle is a small symbol that is either two swords or an X with an F on the left side, an 8 on the right side, and a 2 on the bottom.

The grips are not checkered, they seem to be smooth walnut and if I can figure out how to put some pictures up on here, I'll post them asap. If anyone would like some pictures, post your email and I'll be sure to send you some.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Cosmoline]

Look like this?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=170028731

 

[Walkalong]

Yep. Like this?

 

[Radagast]

You have a .38/200 British Service Revolver manufactured between 1940 & 1942. The US Property marks mean it was supplied by the US Governmentunder the lend lease agreement, earlier guns were supplied direct from S&W under a commercial contract.
The British service round was originally a 200 grain lead projectile in the .38 S&W case, hence .38/200.
The other markings are British, either proof marks or property marks.
The barrel length should be five inches if original, a lot were cut back to four inches after the war.
Value is not great, if the cylinder has been bored out to accept .38 Special (common with the guns reimported after the war for commerical sale) then $150 or so.
If in it's original caliber, then depending on condition, up to $350.

If the gun will chamber a .38 Special you can assume that your grandfather bought it after the war (they were sold through mail order houses). Unless your Grandfather was a British or Commonwealth soldier it is unlikely that it was his issued weapon as the USA issued a very similar revolver (the Victory Model) in .38 S&W Special.

Ammunition is still available, but not cheap or easy to find as it is basically obsolete with no new guns produced in that caliber for several decades. www.oldwesternscrounger.com produces a replica of the British service load.

 

[clochridge]

Very similar except the .38 on gunbroker doesn't have as many markings as this one.

 

[clochridge]

Thank you for all the info except I don't know where it says .38/200 It does however say .38.767 on the left side of the barrel right above the Smith&Wesson

 

[rcmodel]

.38.767 is the caliber & chamber length in British proof-speak.
.767" is the .38 S&W cartridge case length.

That would not appear in a commercial .38 S&W gun sold in the U.S.A..

rc

 

[SaxonPig]

It won't say 38/200, the barrel should be stamped 38 S&W. The 38/200 is another name for the same cartridge after the British service cartridge loaded with a 200 grain bullet.

These are good shooters but factory 38 S&W ammo is pricey and can be hard to find. It's a caliber that demands loading your own ammo. A great keepsake but not a shooter for the casual pistolero.

 

[Walkalong]

Shot 50 rounds (handloads) through mine at the range yesterday. Lots of fun, even though it was 98 degrees in the shade. Handloading is almost a must for .38 S&W, unless you have plenty of money of course.

 

[gbw]

I have one of these old guns. Can .38 spl. brass be modified to be used in .38 S&W?

NEVER MIND, .38 S&W dimensions are listed in my manuals. Looks like it would not be a good idea.

 

[SaxonPig]

Proper 38 S&W brass is readily available. I reload with .357 bullets and they work OK.

 

[Cearbhall]

Ammunition To Go has .38 S&W for $30.95 per box of 50, 146 grain lead round nose, but with shipping charges they'll cost you. I bought a few boxes of Fiocchi a while back and the bullets measure .356", not the .360" I had expected.

Starline listed .38 S&W brass not too long ago.

 

[dogngun]

I used to load .38 S&W rounds with the open end wad cutter bullet seated out to regular length. The open end will expand to fill the bore, and will be accurate, and the soft lead and flat head make a decent self defense round, especially out of that longer barrel. I usee Unique, but don't remember the amount...
It is a good, under rated round, but way too expensive to buy commercially.


mark

 

[Flash!]

I guess I need to visit Ammo To Go..... they are only 20 miles or so from the range I use.... I can buy ammo then straight to the range.