?s about '40-'50s service revolver in .38

[huntnfish08]

I stopped by my dad's today to find out he bought a .38 S&W DA service revolver. I asked him about it and he says it doesnt work and that Gander mountain didn't want to work on it. I figured maybe someone here may be able to help.
There is no Serial number on it that I saw in the 30 seconds I handled it. It did say "property of U.S. Government" on top the frame and ".38 S&W abc" on the right side of the barrel. The "abc" was some 3 random letters I can't remember. The grips were a hard black polimar.
He says it is probably from the forties but who knows.  Any history on it would be appreciated.

Whats wrong with it?
He says the lever that comes up between the hammer and frame doesnt alway lift into position. Also the cylinder won't always rotate on the trigger squeeze. I gess it works when pointed down but not when held parralel to the ground. He says when the grip is taken off you can see something broke or bent or tweaked. Not sure what.

Any Ideas on whats wrong with it or maybe the year?

[trotterlg]

Kind of a meger discription of the problem, but I would guess that the lifter hand that rotates the cylinder has the little spring broken that holds it forward to engauge the rachet on the rear of the cylinder, it most likely is lifting but it is not held forward so it cannot be seen, when the muzzel is down it just falls forward and operates the cylinder.  It is probably an easy fix with about 1 inch of spring wire.  Larry

[huntnfish08]

Any reason a Gander 'smith wouldn't work on something like this. Too old?
Can you suggest a good site for old S&W revolver parts?

[trotterlg]

The part, if it is the spring, can be made with a little piece of piano wire or the spring out of a ball point pen.  People usually will not work on something they don't understand, that is probably a good thing.  I would figure out what the problem is and then look for someone who can fix it if you tell them what is broken. Problem is that a proper fix by a qualified person may be more than the thing is worth.   Larry

[Hammerdown]

I stopped by my dad's today to find out he bought a .38 S&W DA service revolver. I asked him about it and he says it doesn't work and that Gander mountain didn't want to work on it. I figured maybe someone here may be able to help.
There is no Serial number on it that I saw in the 30 seconds I handled it. It did say "property of U.S. Government" on top the frame and ".38 S&W abc" on the right side of the barrel. The "abc" was some 3 random letters I can't remember. The grips were a hard black polimar.
He says it is probably from the forties but who knows.  Any history on it would be appreciated.

Whats wrong with it?
He says the lever that comes up between the hammer and frame doesn't always lift into position. Also the cylinder won't always rotate on the trigger squeeze. I guess it works when pointed down but not when held parallel to the ground. He says when the grip is taken off you can see something broke or bent or tweaked. Not sure what.

Any Ideas on whats wrong with it or maybe the year?

Hello
It sounds as though this revolver may be a S&W Victory model which is also called a Forth model Hand eject. The finish should be a matte  low gloss bluing being it is a U.S. Service weapon. The serial numbers are located on the face of the cylinder, up under The Under cut of the Barrel, above the extractor,  and on the Butt of the revolver. The barrel marking should be S&W .38 CTG. which means Cartridge. This caliber is a less Powerful caliber than the .38 special like the .22 short is to the .22 Long cartridge in comparison. I suspect perhaps the non Indexing issue may be that the internals are gunked up with old sludgy Oil, which may be preventing the cylinder hand from working correctly. I would remove the four side plate screws and flush the internal action and re-oil it before going any further. if you need parts a guy that handles all the parts for these revolvers is David Chicoine is a great gunsmith and handles parts for there. I will provide his Web site link for you at the end of this message. if you would look in the places I told you the serial would be on this revolver, and let me know what it is, I can then tell you what revolver model you here here and be of more help. If you want to P.M. me the serial number I would be happy to look it up and can help you more once we know what it is you have here. A Picture would also help a lot if you can provide one. I hope this is of help to you. Regards, Hammerdown

http://www.oldwestgunsmith.com/gunparts/he.htm#The%20three%20photos

[huntnfish08]

Hammerdown. Thanks for the info and the link. This is a K frame pistol, so victory it may be. When I get a chance to better handle it I'll see if I can't get a serial off of it. I'll snap a few pics, internals too.

To be continued...

[Hammerdown]

Hammerdown. Thanks for the info and the link. This is a K frame pistol, so victory it may be. When I get a chance to better handle it I'll see if I can't get a serial off of it. I'll snap a few pics, internals too.

To be continued...

Hello Huntnfish08
Here is a Fancy Example of a Highly Prized S&W Victory model. It once belonged to someone in Mexico that thought a lot of it. It shows the Internals and elaborate engraving job some one did on it along with the Sterling Silver & Gold Mexican Crest of Arms special Made handgun Grips it came with..This should be some what your revolver will look like only yours will have the matte style bluing. The Internals shows a great picture of how a clean Internal Pre-war S&W K-Frame should Look, and clearly shows this revolver Did Not have the redesigned hammer block later added to most Victories that got recalled.. This was Original and unfired after it was refinished and engraved.  Hammerdown

[Cottage Hill Bill]

I'm pretty sure what he's describing is a Model 11, a model 10 in .38 S&W that was supplied to Britain in the lend lease program. That would explain the "US Property" marking on the top strap. It should also have some British proof marks. If there is a FTR stamp on it (usually on the sideplate) that indicates a Factory Thorough Refurbishment, i.e. an arsenal rework. Current market price among British weapons collectors (like me) would make it well worth repair.

[John Traveler]

The S&W Victory M&P models were before model numbers were assigned. 
At any rate, the M11 was a 22 LR caliber M&P made for the U.S. Postal Service.

[Hammerdown]

The S&W Victory M&P models were before model numbers were assigned. 
At any rate, the M11 was a 22 LR caliber M&P made for the U.S. Postal Service.

Hi
You are correct and they are the hardest S&W fixed sighted revolver to locate. Regards, hammerdown

[Autorim]

How do I post pictures on this site. I'm sure Hammerdown knows.

[Hammerdown]

How do I post pictures on this site. I'm sure Hammerdown knows.

Hello Autorim
You first must select a Picture Host. I personally like and use a Picture host called Cupid. It used to be Hunt-101 but it has changed recently. They have Picked up their speed and changed the format to make it super user friendly. It is Free and I will Include a link at the end of my Message. Once you join a Photo host you will need to set up an album and they will instruct you how to. Once you have loaded pictures into that album if you use Cupid you simply click on the Picture you load into the album. It will then show just that picture and below it will be a Linked thumbnail line. Right under it there will be what Looks like a small television symbol. Left Click your Mouse on that symbol and it will drop down a Menu to that Picture. I then left click on that Medium size Picture link and it turns Blue for me. Once it turns blue right click on your mouse and it will show Copy as an option. Left click on the copy Portion of that menu and them X Out of Cupid and return to your Thread to Post a Picture. Place the Picture Link a bit below your thread with the Mouse Pointer arrow then right click again. It will roll down a menu that shows Paste, You then right click on that menu and it will show the Picture line below the thread. Once you submit the thread your Picture will appear. I hope this Helps, Hammerdown

[Autorim]

Did this work?

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1306597/m29-and-hospital-corpsman-k.jpg

[Autorim]

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1306597/m29-and-hospital-corpsman-k.jpg

[Autorim]

Why does the link appear and not the photo?

[Hammerdown]

Why does the link appear and not the photo?

Hello
I don't know how this picture hosts Image links are set up. Go back to their intro and see what link you need to provide when Posting Pictures on a  forum for the Picture to appear instead of a link and try that.. Hammerdown

[Graybeard]

We offer you guys a free hosting service at www.myhostedpics.com which is on the same servers as the GBO site. It works fast and every time. None of the hosting services use faster or more state of the art servers than we have.

We even allow you to use it transparently without registration thru the additional options link below each text box where you can attach your image directly from your hard drive.

[Autorim]

Villagephotos works just fine on the smith-wesson forum

[Hammerdown]

Villagephotos works just fine on the smith-wesson forum

Hello Autorim
Not all forums are set up the same to accept picture links. If you are unwilling to try any other Picture hosts , Be it the one offered by th owner of this forum MR Gray Beard or the one I suggested see what other Posting Options yours offer's to make the Pictures show up rather than the Links.. Hammerdown

[Autorim]

Hammerdown,

Still trying.

Autorim

<img src='http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2008-4/1306597/Model-10-8-with-leggings-an.jpg' width=700 height=469  >

[S.B.]

Try getting in touch with Gene Williams(gunsmith from Princeton Tx.), he's the best I've ever used on older S&Ws?


 
 

[huntnfish08]

Haven't been on in a while. I now have the revolver and a serial number. If anyone knows of a website where I can track the history by the serial number I would love to have it. I guess it doesn't matter if I post the number on the site. Hopefully one of you can help me in the right direction.

The S/N is    2 21 2x  as marked behind the cylinder hinge.
""United States Property"" is marked on the topstrap.
S&W trademark is on the right side of the frame along with MADE IN THE U.S.A.
9690 on the butt along with "W B" in a box.

On the bottom of the barrel above the ejector rod the numbers, "969 088" OR "880 696". Lucky me?.

The right side plate blueing doesn't match perfect to the rest of the frame.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,  Adam

[S.B.]

If it has the one line address(Made in U.S.A.), S&W won't touch it. Try Gene Williams?

[huntnfish08]

gene williams?