Calibres of Smith and Wesson hand ejector

StansfieldMcElroy

StansfieldMcElroy

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Hello,

I recently purchased a Smith and Wesson revolver advertised as 38/200, however now that it has arrived a 38 S&W won't fit into the cylinder as it is too large. I know this is fairly common knowledge that the 38S&W can be used in the 38/200 models, but please correct me if I am wrong. There is also a stamp on the barrel "38/380" beside the original 38 S&W designation. Does anyone have any idea what calibre this might be in?

Thanks
 
.38/200 and .38/380 should be the British Empire and Commonwealth standard cartridge for service revolvers including the Enfield/Webley top break revolvers and S&W Victory revolvers issued in WWII and afterwards. The standard bullet weight was 200 grains.
 
Most likely that either the barrel is a replacement and thus the caliber markings are incorrect OR the cylinder is a replacement from a different caliber

The K frame HE series were chambered in: .38 S&W, .38 Special, .32-20 as well as .38 Long Colt (only for the US Navy's 1899 models)

If you can post pics or send me a PM would help a lot in identifying this gun
 
It's a factory loaded .38 S&W. I worry about trying any other calibre seeing as the barrel is marked as .38 S&W.

I have reached out to the seller as it was an EE purchase, I'm hoping he will accept a return on the item
 
Some S&W revolvers chambered for 38 S&W have had the cylinders swapped out for 38 special. Returned Victory revolvers as an example. . I doubt a 38 S&W cartridge would fit in 38 special cylinder hole as the 38 S&W has a slightly larger case and bore dia. Try a 38 special and see if it fits.
 
Rod said:
Some S&W revolvers chambered for 38 S&W have had the cylinders swapped out for 38 special. Returned Victory revolvers as an example. . I doubt a 38 S&W cartridge would fit in 38 special cylinder hole as the 38 S&W has a slightly larger case and bore dia. Try a 38 special and see if it fits.
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If this is a 38 special cylinder on a frame with barrel stamped 38 S&W, is that safe to shoot? I dont know much about bullet diameters with these pistol rounds
 
StansfieldMcElroy said:
If this is a 38 special cylinder on a frame with barrel stamped 38 S&W, is that safe to shoot? I dont know much about bullet diameters with these pistol rounds
Click to expand...

Whether or not it's safe to shoot depends on the condition of the revolver and the dom of the cylinder. If memory is correct I believe it was somewhere around 1925 when S&W increased the strength and heat treatment of their cylinders. I would not use P+ cartridges. . A trip to the gunsmith would be advisable.

The 38 S&W bullet diameter is .361" while the 38 special is .357", so accuracy may not be the best. .
 
Rod said:
Whether or not it's safe to shoot depends on the condition of the revolver and the dom of the cylinder. If memory is correct I believe it was somewhere around 1925 when S&W increased the strength and heat treatment of their cylinders. I would not use P+ cartridges. . A trip to the gunsmith would be advisable.

The 38 S&W bullet diameter is .361" while the 38 special is .357", so accuracy may not be the best. .
Click to expand...

Sound advice indeed, thanks!
 
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You can pretty clearly see the Canadian broad-arrow acceptance mark on the frame so my best guess is someone changed the cylinder to a .38 Special for more commonly available shooting ammo at one point, it's also worth noting that the cylinder was manufactured after S&W started heat treating the cylinders
 
polkey said:
Well, it’s likely just a swapped out cylinder, so long as the timing is good should be safe to shoot, although as mentioned earlier it may not be terribly accurate due to the difference in bore diameter between 38 s&w and 38 special.
Click to expand...

The cylinder does look as if it's for a longer round, I will pick up a box and give it a try next time I'm at the range. That's for the insight!
 
Just find a fired 38 spec laying on the ground and see it sets. You did not take a picture of the barrel stamping, that is the one that matters, and you did say mismatched.
What was the description on the gun when you bought it, If none of this was forth coming, demand your money back. I presume it was cheap. (It had better have been).
Could be a good gun, if you know what you are doing. The bore on 38 s-w is a tad larger than 38 sp, so no problem with pressures, with standard loads.
I am presuming 38s-w is the same diam/ lenght as 38/380?
 
marshall said:
Just find a fired 38 spec laying on the ground and see it sets. You did not take a picture of the barrel stamping, that is the one that matters, and you did say mismatched.
What was the description on the gun when you bought it, If none of this was forth coming, demand your money back. I presume it was cheap. (It had better have been).
Could be a good gun, if you know what you are doing. The bore on 38 s-w is a tad larger than 38 sp, so no problem with pressures, with standard loads.
I am presuming 38s-w is the same diam/ lenght as 38/380?
Click to expand...

The barrel stamping is 38/380 alongside the 38 S&W.

The original description was of a good condition smith and wesson hand ejector in 38/200 built in 1907 (the age was misrepresented as well) the photos were dimly lit but it seemed well enough. My mistake for sure. Got it for a decent price but after all this I feel I over paid for sure.
I have been in contact with the seller who would only accept a return if it is accompanied by a gunsmiths report, and would less the purchase price by $50 and expect me to pay return shipping. I told him this was unreasonable, so I am stuck with it and will make the best of it. Buyer beware
 
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That is not a bad price if it works, just find a few rounds of 38 sp. or even empty brass to check the cylinder.
Than check the timing on every cylinder, not just one or two, and the lock up. From looking at the picture , looks O.K..
Your seller is a turd.
 
I had a model 10 that was rebarelled with a 38/200 marked barrel a few years ago. Accuracy was good: barrel slugged at .358. I suspect S&W factory didn't bother too much about that during the war...
 
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