I have a .38S&W Victory 5" with BNP markings and V4##### serial number on it. Markings on the barrel, frame, cylinder and butt are clear as day and there is no pitting on the finish or metal at all. I was lucky enough to get a couple dozen rounds of the original .380 British bullets with it and yea gave in and tried it. Wow accurate for an old gun. I did replace the original grips but still have them though the owner carved them to fit his hand on the one side.
I did get messages from Smith and Wesson on it and found that its shipment to about late 1943-early 1944. The proof markings you see were performed by the British proof house at Birmingham after WWII, when these were surplussed out and released for sale. British law required proofing for sale to civilians. The revolver was (and still is) chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge, which the British called the .380 Revolver, Mk2 cartridge which used a 178 grain jacketed bullet. There was also a .380 Revolver Mk1 cartridge which used a 200 grain lead bullet. I have a handful of these cartridges with the gun.
This was one of the official British Service Revolvers (BSR) in use during WWII and for some time afterward. It is often called the Victory .38/200 or sometimes the K-200. The British called it the Pistol, Revolver, Smith and Wesson, No. 2. It is essentially the prewar S&W Military and Police (M&P) Model revolver chambered in .38 S&W, and simplified for wartime mass production. You are fortunate that it does not seem to have been re-chambered for the .38 Special cartridge, which would have diminished its value significantly.
I purchased it with intent on getting a .38 Special not a .38S&W collectors weapon but it is in mint shape. I will post pictures of it when I get home. I was told by the members at the S&W page that it could easily fetch $700US + depending on the shape from my description. I like it but want something that is going to be more practical as I don't reload to shoot and collecting has never been an interest though this has peeked my interest a lot when I started reading up on it. Of course as with everything I would sell it if the offers were there and it allowed me to get a .357/.38 to replace it being I stocked up on .38 special rounds not knowing it. I looked at reaming it out but my gunsmith told me that it was a collector and to sell it & get what I wanted. Is there any interest in this in Canada? I have seen one in rough shape and no where near the markings mine has sell for $300 in Canada. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks... Again will post pics of it as soon as I get home on Tuesday...
I did get messages from Smith and Wesson on it and found that its shipment to about late 1943-early 1944. The proof markings you see were performed by the British proof house at Birmingham after WWII, when these were surplussed out and released for sale. British law required proofing for sale to civilians. The revolver was (and still is) chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge, which the British called the .380 Revolver, Mk2 cartridge which used a 178 grain jacketed bullet. There was also a .380 Revolver Mk1 cartridge which used a 200 grain lead bullet. I have a handful of these cartridges with the gun.
This was one of the official British Service Revolvers (BSR) in use during WWII and for some time afterward. It is often called the Victory .38/200 or sometimes the K-200. The British called it the Pistol, Revolver, Smith and Wesson, No. 2. It is essentially the prewar S&W Military and Police (M&P) Model revolver chambered in .38 S&W, and simplified for wartime mass production. You are fortunate that it does not seem to have been re-chambered for the .38 Special cartridge, which would have diminished its value significantly.
I purchased it with intent on getting a .38 Special not a .38S&W collectors weapon but it is in mint shape. I will post pictures of it when I get home. I was told by the members at the S&W page that it could easily fetch $700US + depending on the shape from my description. I like it but want something that is going to be more practical as I don't reload to shoot and collecting has never been an interest though this has peeked my interest a lot when I started reading up on it. Of course as with everything I would sell it if the offers were there and it allowed me to get a .357/.38 to replace it being I stocked up on .38 special rounds not knowing it. I looked at reaming it out but my gunsmith told me that it was a collector and to sell it & get what I wanted. Is there any interest in this in Canada? I have seen one in rough shape and no where near the markings mine has sell for $300 in Canada. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks... Again will post pics of it as soon as I get home on Tuesday...