New Zealand 4606 S & W 38 Special Property of United States

[oceanview]

I picked up an old smith & wesson revolver because it had "property of united states" on it at a pawn shop. $200 Good condition. It has on it 38 special ctrg. What would be interesting to know is what the NZ4606 that is just above your grip as you look down the barrel. Below the Hammer but above the grip, on the face of the metal looking back at you. I see on the internet that there is a reference to NZ4606 as a section of Britian land on a map or a model of an airplane we gave New Zealand in 1942. Has anyone ever seen this? By the way, the darn thing has had the barrel shortened so that the Smith & Wesson on the Barrel is ith & Wilson. They did a good job and it was obviously done a lot of patina ago.

[Waidmann]

OP, Welcome to the forum. The revolver you describe began as a British Service Revolver, Model K-200, originally chambered in .38 S&W (a .361 bullet) not .38 S&W Special (.357). Further I am betting the barrel pruning occurred behing the forward lock and your ejector rod is no longer anchored in front. The NZ over 4 digits is a number applied by the NZ forces the official serial is on the butt.


Here's the hard part. My advice is to run not walk for a refund. Failing that store credit. They may have done a pretty job. Hopefully you will get some supporting opinions soon.


Good luck,
W.

[1 old 0311]

If it shoots $200 is a great price for any S&W.

[oceanview]

Hello, thanks..This is not the first bad purchase I have made. Just a beginner. Good thing is is that the ejector anchor is all there. Question. There is a serial # on the butt, what are the 2 numbers that match that you see when you lay the cylinder out?

[Waidmann]

The numbers that match on the crane in the frame and inside the side plate are assembly numbers. The butt, under the barrel and on the cylinder are the serial number, but the number on the butt is the legal identity. S&W started anchoring the front of the ejector rod in 1902 because a counter-clockwise rotation forces the crane away from the frame.

Personally I am not crazy about oversize chambers that will bulge or split cases, a gun that has the potential to shave lead, or sending .357 projectiles out of a .361 barrel. If it was a recent purchase, I'd punt.

While interesting, and I own a NZ Victory, there is no collector value in a radically altered gun, and the safety issues trouble me, $200 or not. If the ejector rod is still anchored on the front end you should be able to fire the .38 S&W rounds without concern.

And you are a gentleman to accept we all buy an education once and awhile. Ditto earlier comment re: photos.

[oceanview]

Thanks, yes, always learning. I am going to take it along to the range tomorrow. You mentioned 38 S&W. This is telling me not to shoot 38 special? thanks again.

[Waidmann]

If you insist, the lightest wadcutter ammo. Have something handy if you have drive cases out from the front of the cylinder.

[Oldgungeezer]

Hello, thanks..This is not the first bad purchase I have made. Just a beginner.

Hi oceanview:

At times, we ALL have/will/do make "unwise" purchases. Sometimes it's a "spur of the moment" thing, sometimes "emotional" and sometimes just plain "dumb"........but again, and I emphasize, Everyone Does It..........we wouldn't be "collectors" if we didn't.........experts and beginners alike (and everyone in-between).

Also remember, most everything we hear, say, share, do, think and opine, as "collectors", can be "subjective".

Keep enjoying yourself Amigo.........and learn.

You can have fun and get good schooling on this forum.........Waidmann and many other members here, represent a wealth of information.......and they will freely share (info and fun).

Best Regards,

Geezer

[oceanview]

I will absolutely take your advice. I thought it would be safe to shoot. I will not shoot it if you do not reccomend it. I'm just a pheasant hunter from South Dakota. I do not understand what you said about "drive cases ouut from the front of the cylinder". It sounded like it was built as one chamber and then changed to another chamber? What is the difference between 38 s&w and 38 special/ Thanks again.

[Waidmann]

Again, .38 Special is made to shoot .357 bullets; .38 S&W pushes a .361 bullet out of a shorter case. What we are talking about is on the order of taking an old 10 ga. with a 2 7/8" chamber and reaming it with a 12 ga. cutter to 3 1/2" depth (not that bad but you get the idea). The back portion of the chamber will be oversize say .004. The cases will bulge and may get stuck (even split). The hotter the ammo the greater the likelyhood. If that happens insert a dowel or punch from the front side of the cylinder and drive them out. One at a time. Don't drive your ejector rod and screw it up trying to extract 6 hulls at once.

Hence my comment on light wadcutter ammo.