Need Help with Identification of Handguns

[dancersx]

I am a total newbie to using a forum, so please be gentle if you need to remind me of the rules. This forum appears to be my best bet regarding identifying the two weapons pictured. I THINK the Beretta is a Model 1934 - not sure. I suspect the .38 Special revolver is a S&W knockoff - has S&W logo on the frame and in the grips, but has neither the caliber nor Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Massachusetts or Smith & Wesson, Houlton, ME on it anywhere.
Can anybody help me out?
Additional photos are here:
http://s1053.photobucket.com/albums/s468/dancersx/Guns/

 

[rcmodel]

1934 Beretta.

The S&W seems to be a real S&W as near as I can tell from the very poor photo.

But the barrel has been cut off & the front sight has been replaced.
It is a S&W 38/200 K-200 British Service revolver made during WWII.
(Model of 1905 - 4th. Change)

Your serial number indicates it was made in early 1942 prior to the addition of the V serial number prefex.
It started out life chambered in .38/200 British.
That is evidenced by all the chicken scratching British proof-marks stamped on it.

If it is a .38 Spl now, it had the chambers reamed out to .38 Spl when the barrel was cut off.

The grips have been replaced, and it has been reblued.

Be aware that it does not have the positive hammer block drop safety added late in the war, and still used on all modern S&W's made since then.

As such, it should be handled very carefully if fully loaded, or carried with an empty chamber under the hammer.

rc

 

[firesky101]

Looks like rc nailed it, even the quality of photo description. I like that little berreta are you identifing to sell maybe?

 

[waidmann]

With respect and trepedation RC, I am going to say the nickel medallion grips are consistent with the serial and are observed up to around say 950XXX. For economics I'd peddle the grips seperately, within reason I'll buy them.

To the OP, S&W started without supported ejector rods and added them within a few years. BTW that particular variation is becoming known as an "Oswald Special" in some circles. The assasin killed a Dallas cop and was later arrested with one of these. Then marketed as a Commando Special.

 

[gyvel]

I thought the handgun Oswald used was a cut down to 2" Colt 1917.

Oops! never mind. It was a Smith. Getting old, I guess.

 

[dancersx]

Thank you very much for the help - I admit a photographer I obviously am not. All but the barrel of the S&W looks like the picture of a Model 22, Model of 1917 in the Classics section of S&W's web site and a contact at S&W said it appeared to be a K-Frame(and it has the mainspring inside the grips), but CT Lasergrips for K-Frame are too big and that made me wonder.
Not looking to sell anything - just got curious one day(too much time on my hands, I guess).
I really appreciate the safety info. I do not carry it, but I do keep it fully loaded(in-the-house protection).
_________________________________________________

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." William James

 

[waidmann]

Did you get the part about converted from .38-200 i.e. .38 S&W to .38 Special? That gun is set up for shooting a relatively mild charge behind a .361 bullet, not a .357.

In plain English the piece has suffered two very ill advised alterations.

 

[dancersx]

Thanks for making sure - I did get it. Not real happy about the alterations, but it is what it is. Have it loaded with .38 Special(NOT +P); do not intend to use anything beyond that.
_________________________________________________
"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance."

 

[dancersx]

waidmann wrote:

Did you get the part about converted from .38-200 i.e. .38 S&W to .38 Special? That gun is set up for shooting a relatively mild charge behind a .361 bullet, not a .357.
In plain English the piece has suffered two very ill advised alterations.

Been thinking about what you said. Should I be using ammunition other than .38 Special Hollow Point(Hornady 158 gr XTP)?

 

[waidmann]

If you must, .38 S&W but in effect with today's fodder it ain't much.

 

[rcmodel]

Should I be using ammunition other than .38 Special Hollow Point(Hornady 158 gr XTP)?

The chambers have been altered from British .38/200, and the gun is 70 years old.

You should be using Standard Pressure lead bullet .38 Special loads.
Or .38 S&W loads with the right size bullets for the barrel, if you so chose.

rc

 

[dancersx]

Thank you for your guidance. Think I will shop around for some .38 S&W. Any recommendations?

 

[waidmann]

Midway, your LGS (ordering) its out there but loaded for blackpowder era top-breaks, usually with 146 grain in .359 (for adittional safety).

The Old Western Scrounger offers what they claim is a true .38-200. I don't that you'd do any worse taking RC's advice about standard Specials with 158 grain lead.

Oswald did kill Patrolman Tippit with 4 shots out of one.

 

[dancersx]

It appears that y'all's work is done here(unless somebody has something else they would like to contribute), and it is time for me to close this thread. I thank you for your help and the information; it has been an educational visit. Maybe another time.
Appreciate it.

___________________________________________
“Start every day off with a smile and get it over with.”
W.C. Fields

 

[sixshooter357]

Beretta: if caliber is .38 Auto / 9mm corto / 9mm kurz it is a Mod. 1934
if caliber is 32.auto / 7,65 mm it is a Mod. 1935