I used to like new and shiny. Now I much prefer something a little older with “character “. I guess that describes me, older with character. Great find and great video sir.
I have one serial number 7953XX that is barrel marked 38 Special and is covered in British Proof markings. It has the exact opposite issue in that the cylinder chambers were bored larger to accept the 38 S&W (38/200 as the Brits called it). Shoots both cartridges accurately and 38 Special do not bulge.
I just received mine in the mail the other day, from what I can tell mine is a pre victory model 917xxx serial number with the lanyard loop and parkerized like finish with a 5 inch barrel. It has the NZ markings on the backstrap as well which tells me it was part of the lend lease program and went down to New Zealand for WW2. Mine cosmetically is much more rough looking than yours, however the bore, rifling and cylinders all look great so that tells me it was probably carried around on someone's hip a lot during the war but didn't see much shooting use. BTW there is another serial number on the back of the extractor as well, may need a magnifying glass to see it though.
Sounds like one I had got at Camping World a couple of years ago (they were selling guns under the old Gander Mountain name). Paid $288 I think out the door for it, pencil barrel model 10. Had one of the best triggers I've ever had on a revolver. I bet it didn't have 50 rounds through it, but looked like it had been carried 50 years!! Thanks for watching!!
That looks like a lend lease victory model that has had the barrel shortened, cylinder bored for 38 special, lanyard loop removed/plugged, and re-blued. Dont see the "V" prefix but early models might not have had that. Good gun but it looks to be what I said
I don't think the barrel was shortened, but I may be wrong. There is definitely a lanyard loop plug though upon close examination and has definitely been bored. There is no V prefix. Thanks for watching!!
That looks like a victory model - there's a "circle" on the butt - where the lanyard ring would go - it looks like it was plugged... but there's no "V".. interesting. I have a Hand Ejector marked "Made in U.S.A." like yours but it's stamped 38 S&W Spcl Ctg. - so was chambered for it originally - the best I can tell mine was made around 1947-48 - it is a S 1910XXX serial number which I can't find anywhere.... apparently this in not uncommon with these - mine is a 5" model but has the half moon front sight and what I call "dog ear" hammer like yours. That and the single line stamp on the right side of the frame make it 1948 or before - the grips appear original and are correct for that vintage.
I'm surprised to this is not a V serial, but I suspect (and Smith concurs) that it was just before they started the V serial numbers, but yes the grip is plugged where a lanyard ring would have went. Thanks for watching!!
I actually kind of prefer it that when I buy an old, used gun for it to have a bit of "character" in it... I see blemishes and the like as a carte blanche license to shoot it. Something that is too nice would lose value and I would much rather have a shooter than a safe queen. I would look at a gun like this as an excuse to start loading .38 S&W rather than running .38 Specials out of it
Its a Cogsworth conversion. Too bad. The cylinder and bore are too big for 38 specilas because the original chambering (38 S&W) has a larger diameter than the 38 spl. Itll give you mediocre accuracy at best.
Yep, I tend to just shoot .38 S&W in it for the most part, but nice to know it can take specials in a pinch if needed...albeit not great. Thanks for watching!!
You can request a letter from S&W or Colt that’ll give you details about where it was originally shipped. But beyond that I don’t know if any way to trace it further. Thanks for watching and Merry Christmas Bubblehead!!
Before the 1960s, of the Royal Hong Kong Police force used this model. This model is my favorite, thanks for your video.
Thanks for the information and thanks for watching!!
I used to like new and shiny. Now I much prefer something a little older with “character “. I guess that describes me, older with character. Great find and great video sir.
Thanks for watching Max!
I have one serial number 7953XX that is barrel marked 38 Special and is covered in British Proof markings. It has the exact opposite issue in that the cylinder chambers were bored larger to accept the 38 S&W (38/200 as the Brits called it). Shoots both cartridges accurately and 38 Special do not bulge.
thanks for watching!!
Dam looks like a pretty good blue job to me.
Thanks for watching!!
I just received mine in the mail the other day, from what I can tell mine is a pre victory model 917xxx serial number with the lanyard loop and parkerized like finish with a 5 inch barrel. It has the NZ markings on the backstrap as well which tells me it was part of the lend lease program and went down to New Zealand for WW2. Mine cosmetically is much more rough looking than yours, however the bore, rifling and cylinders all look great so that tells me it was probably carried around on someone's hip a lot during the war but didn't see much shooting use. BTW there is another serial number on the back of the extractor as well, may need a magnifying glass to see it though.
Sounds like one I had got at Camping World a couple of years ago (they were selling guns under the old Gander Mountain name). Paid $288 I think out the door for it, pencil barrel model 10. Had one of the best triggers I've ever had on a revolver. I bet it didn't have 50 rounds through it, but looked like it had been carried 50 years!! Thanks for watching!!
The “five-screw” was introduced clear back in 1905, not “shortly before the Victory”
Thanks for watching!!
That looks like a lend lease victory model that has had the barrel shortened, cylinder bored for 38 special, lanyard loop removed/plugged, and re-blued. Dont see the "V" prefix but early models might not have had that. Good gun but it looks to be what I said
I don't think the barrel was shortened, but I may be wrong. There is definitely a lanyard loop plug though upon close examination and has definitely been bored. There is no V prefix. Thanks for watching!!
That looks like a victory model - there's a "circle" on the butt - where the lanyard ring would go - it looks like it was plugged... but there's no "V".. interesting. I have a Hand Ejector marked "Made in U.S.A." like yours but it's stamped 38 S&W Spcl Ctg. - so was chambered for it originally - the best I can tell mine was made around 1947-48 - it is a S 1910XXX serial number which I can't find anywhere.... apparently this in not uncommon with these - mine is a 5" model but has the half moon front sight and what I call "dog ear" hammer like yours. That and the single line stamp on the right side of the frame make it 1948 or before - the grips appear original and are correct for that vintage.
I'm surprised to this is not a V serial, but I suspect (and Smith concurs) that it was just before they started the V serial numbers, but yes the grip is plugged where a lanyard ring would have went. Thanks for watching!!
Lived a hard life? Are you kidding ? That thing is in great shape , you should see my two.. hardly any bluing , but they still shoot good
Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!!
Could you do a video on this revolver, showing the lockwork under the sideplate?
Taking off sideplates is a bit out of my comfort zone :) Thanks for watching!!
@@HillbillyMusings 👍
I actually kind of prefer it that when I buy an old, used gun for it to have a bit of "character" in it... I see blemishes and the like as a carte blanche license to shoot it. Something that is too nice would lose value and I would much rather have a shooter than a safe queen. I would look at a gun like this as an excuse to start loading .38 S&W rather than running .38 Specials out of it
Great idea! Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching!!
Hello friend, I would like to know if with the cylinder open, the hammer comes to the rear?
I'll check this and let you know, Thanks for watching!!
@@HillbillyMusings Ok and thank you friend!!
With the cylinder out the action will not operate. This can be bypassed by holding back the cylinder release.
@@samwalker7821 Thank you very much friend, for clarifying this doubt!!
Its a Cogsworth conversion. Too bad. The cylinder and bore are too big for 38 specilas because the original chambering (38 S&W) has a larger diameter than the 38 spl. Itll give you mediocre accuracy at best.
Yep, I tend to just shoot .38 S&W in it for the most part, but nice to know it can take specials in a pinch if needed...albeit not great. Thanks for watching!!
I like the idea of thinking about a guns history. Is it possible for a civilian to trace a guns history through its serial??
You can request a letter from S&W or Colt that’ll give you details about where it was originally shipped. But beyond that I don’t know if any way to trace it further. Thanks for watching and Merry Christmas Bubblehead!!
Why not get 38s&w ammo?
That's typically all I use in these conversions now. But good to know you can fire specials in a pinch. Thanks for watching!!
@@HillbillyMusings awesome I just got one ordered some 38 S&W