Smith, What am I?

rdgshdwe

I may be overlooking something very obvious, but for some reason cannot come up for what exactly this Smith is? I would say a Model 10, but it doesn't seem right?

I would appreciate it if you guys would look it over and tell me what you think, if you need to see a picture of something specific let me know, ill post it up as soon as possible

Thanks in advance, you guys always help me out a lot!

rufe-snow

The caliber, finish, serial number range, and lanyard ring put it into the range of the very early Military & Police models sent to England as Land Lease guns, dating to the late 30's. From the V.G. condition and lack of British post war commercial proofs it looks like it never got to England or came back in some G.I.'s duffel bag without seeing much hard wartime use.

I can't tell if the finish and grips are original or not, they might be?

rdgshdwe

Thanks! I knew it was something unusual

and congrats on your 12000 post!

rdgshdwe

Ha, yah know. I missed a key picture when I posted the original 6



sorry about that, this one probably makes it a lot more apparent...

rufe-snow

quote:Originally posted by rdgshdwe
Ha, yah know. I missed a key picture when I posted the original 6



sorry about that, this one probably makes it a lot more apparent...



According to the Brit Proofs it has been rechambered to .38 Special from .38 S & W. Likely this would affect it's collectors value to a military handgun collector. Also depending on the workmanship of the rechambering it might have weakened the cylinder to some extent, i.e. wouldn't be a good idea to fire with Plus P type .38 Special ammo.

CDMead

That pistol would be referred to as a "pre Model 10" or more accurately a 1905 4th Change Military and Police model.

Please note, the caliber is 38 S&W. This is considerably different than 38 Special.

The number on the bottom of the frame by the grips is the serial number. The number inside the crane is an assembly number. The numbers on the barrel flat are British proof marks surrounding the serial number.

There should be serial number markings (IIRC) also on the cylinder face, the inside of the ejector star and on the inside of one of the grip panels. The grip may be marked in pencil.

I don't know exactly, but I would suggest that pistol was made in the mid to late 1930s.

You can contact Smith and Wesson and request a firearm history or "factory letter" for $50.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757825_-1_757814_757812_image

It might be worth it in this case as the British utilized a lot a varied resources to obtain small arms prior to Lend Lease.

Edited to add:

Now I'm confused about the caliber. If it's 38 S&W, 38 Special cartridges shouldn't fit. The 38 S&W is much shorter. I'm generally leary of these post war conversions that were done to capitalize on the profitable US markets.

62fuelie

The conversion from .38 S&W to .38 Spl seems to have been made retaining the same barrel. Most .38 S&W barrels are oversize bore for the .38 Spl. You may be able to use .38 Spl hollow base wadcutters as they are mild loads and the skirt of the hollow base may expand enough to grip the rifling.

Stack

One of the British proof marks, to the left of the BNP mark, is crossed lances with a letter on either side. I'm unable to see the letters, but the letters will indicate the year the pistol was rechambered to .38 Special and proofed. I have previously posted a chart, on ASK THE EXPERTS forum, for dating Birmingham proof marks.

http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=512104

rdgshdwe

The letters to the sides of the crossed lances are LB

I appreciate all the input guys! your always a great help!

Stack

LB indicates the pistol was proofed in 1960.