[JP5720]

Hi,
I inhertied this 38 and am hoping someone can tell me a little about it. It's a sweet shooter
I've added a few pics.
Thanks for all your help.

Jimmy

 

[Waidmann]

Well it left the U.S. looking like this and chambered in .38 S&W. A British Service Revolver of the 1942-44 variety. It returned to the states reamed to accept .38 S&W Special via the Birmingham Proof House looking as it does now. From the end of the war into the 1960's this was very very common,

 

[Cal301906]

What is the Birmingham proof?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the cotton and peanut covered plains of the Wiregrass! JP5720 would you post pictures of the entire gun? Per UK law, any gun released from service for commercial sale had to be tested to ensure it could withstand the pressure generated by the ammo it was intended to shoot. There were two proof houses in Birmingham and London. They tested each cylinder chamber and the barrel to the proof pressure of the ammo and stamped those that passed. That is the crown over BNP that you see all over the gun. Also on the barrel you see the casing length of .38 Special - 1.150" - and the proof pressure in tons per square inch.

 

[Waidmann]

Proof firing is the deliberate ignition of an overpressured load to test or prove a firearm. The .38 1.15 are the dimensions of a .38 Special case. The .38 S&W has a case length of .767 so I know the conversion took place in the UK.

 

[JP5720]

Thanks guys for your Welcome and info. So this one went to England and was shortened, tested for 38Sp and brought back. I've added a few more pictures per request.
What you see is the condition I received it. I added the trigger paddle. I can add this one to my WWII collection. I have a M1 Garand from the DCM, a 45 from the CMP and a Lee-Enfield No.4 MK1 303 from RTI. The 303 and this pistol both have a connection to Birmingham. Who knows maybe they crossed paths.
Wiregrassguy, I've been in your area many times. I used to work in Dothan some long time ago.
I'm in NorthWest Ga.
Once again Thank you all for your info and welcome.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

It's a small world. I live inside Dothan city limits but in the Cowarts community. Grew up in Ashford but spent many years in the Atlanta area. We may have crossed paths at some point.

Your revolver is likely a British Service Revolver originally chambered for .38 S&W. It was made in 1942. There may be a stamp on the right side of the barrel that says .38 S&W CTG. It has been modified by shortening the barrel and putting on a new front sight and reaming the cylinder for the longer .38 Special cartridge. These are typical mods made for surplus sales into the US market in the 1950's and 60's. The grips on it are post-WWII magnas. Looks to be in very good refinished condition. Aside from having .38 Special casings crack, it should function well and shoot accurately.

 

[JP5720]

We may have crossed paths.
I worked in Medical Imaging back in the 80's and spent a lot of time at Southeast Alabama, Flowers Medical and other parts of the panhandle.
I stayed at the hotel on the corner of 231 and 431 many times.
I'm looking forward to shooting this one.

Thanks again,

Jimmy