[Woodman]

Hello all,
I saw this old Smith at a pawn shop today and have been wanting one like it. I believe it's priced to high plus
a few things look suspicious though on the butt. Looks like maybe someone tried to re-stamp on the butt and maybe on the frame when the cylinder is open.
Any help would be appreciated. If it checks out I was thinking about making an offer.
I also can't figure out what year it was made. I forgot to take a picture under the barrel.

 

[Woodman]

the numbers when the cylinder is open are 74718 and above that is the number 15
On the right side of the sling swivel looks like a W3 or WB I can't tell and then looks like some scaring and maybe the letter P

 

[Wiregrassguy]

It's a British service revolver from 1941 or 1942. It's priced way too high in my opinion. It's probably been reamed for 38 Smith & Wesson special. The only way to tell is to drop a 38 Special in the cylinder and see if it fully inserts. Nevertheless, it's worth about $400 in my opinion.

Guy

 

[jonesy814]

I agree, $400 TOPS for that one. The WB is the Army inspectors stamp. Possibly a refinished frame or replaced cylinder judging from the difference in finish between the 2

 

[WendyZXZ]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Woodman]

Thanks for the reply's

 

[jeepnut]

Welcome to the forum and agree 400 is tops.

 

[Curt360]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[ussmanlovede36]

I would stay away from that one, I don't like the look of that cylinder.

 

[bearcat6]

By the way on a handgun it's called a lanyard ring and not a sling swivel.

 

[Hondo44]

Woodman,
The butt stamp on that revolver is actually 4 different stamps piled on top of each other.

The first three are American stamps, the WB, P, and the flaming bomb shown here:

The fourth, the over-stamp appears to be a British proof stamp that you may be able to match up to one of these:

 

[Adirondacker]

View attachment 478871

Brits obviously liked to keep it simple.

But it's interesting that, whereas most European countries set up national proof standards & marks, American gunmakers created their own individually.

 

[Roadrunner]

Way over priced by at least 300$ JMHO