I just bought a Smith and Wesson Pre-Model 10 Snub nose on gunboker which was advertised as .38 Special, however the gun shop I got it deliver to said that .38 spl didn't fit in the cylinder and neither did .357 magnum, but .38 S&W did fit. I haven't been able to get over to the shop to pick it up yet so I haven't seen it up close. It has no caliber markings. Did they make K frame Smiths in .38 S&W? I haven't come across one before, Or did the gun shop possibly try the wrong round or something? Thanks
S&W Pre Model 10 snub nose in .38 S&W?
- Thread starter kh1911
- Start date
That's a head scratcher... S&W was always pretty good about putting the caliber/chambering on their sidearms. Oh yeah, they made a boatload of K-frames (pre 1957 numerical modeled revolvers mostly) in .38 S&W. I think they even made some post 1957 mostly for export to such places that didn't cotton to their citizenry having firearms chambered in what was once military cartridges. I don't know when they dropped that ctg from it's line-up for good.
Not having a caliber stamped on it might lead me to suspect it as a frankengun or a Spanish knock-off. Stranger things happen though. Check it out real good.
The most commonly seen K-framed .38S&W's these days are kinda crudely finished Victory Models. If it's a factory snub Victory- it might pay to do some research on that- them run on the rare side.
Not having a caliber stamped on it might lead me to suspect it as a frankengun or a Spanish knock-off. Stranger things happen though. Check it out real good.
The most commonly seen K-framed .38S&W's these days are kinda crudely finished Victory Models. If it's a factory snub Victory- it might pay to do some research on that- them run on the rare side.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Yes, S&W made K frames in .38 S&W, primarily for the British during WW II, but they were sold on the civilian market after WW II.
One pertinent question...
Under the barrel, the tip of the ejector rod... Does it fit into a lug on the barrel? Or is it unsupported?
My guess is that you have a WW II era Victory model made for the British in .38 S&W, but which has had the barrel chopped down to make a snub nose.
One pertinent question...
Under the barrel, the tip of the ejector rod... Does it fit into a lug on the barrel? Or is it unsupported?
My guess is that you have a WW II era Victory model made for the British in .38 S&W, but which has had the barrel chopped down to make a snub nose.
While I suspect it's most likely a British surplus I'd think if the barrel had been chopped, they would have reamed the chambers out to 38 Special.
I wonder if it might be a Model 11? The Model 11 was sort of an odd duck being a K-frame chambered for 38 S&W, but I remember seeing them in the Shooters Bible many years ago. Probably most went overseas to British Commonwealth countries. I've never actually seen one mind you, but I remember reading about them.
I wonder if it might be a Model 11? The Model 11 was sort of an odd duck being a K-frame chambered for 38 S&W, but I remember seeing them in the Shooters Bible many years ago. Probably most went overseas to British Commonwealth countries. I've never actually seen one mind you, but I remember reading about them.
Jim Watson
New member
Highly likely that Mike is right and you bought a pig in a poke which turned out to be a sawn off BSR. I hope it was cheap.
Of course if Cajun is right and you have a factory short Model 11, you have just about struck gold.
Of course if Cajun is right and you have a factory short Model 11, you have just about struck gold.
IMO 99% likely you bought a butchered British Victory Model. S&W did make the M&P in 38 S&W for Canada and it was the Model 11 after 1958. If this is what you bought then you scored. I would love to have one.
Question. Is there a lanyard ring or a filled hole for one? Sign it's a chopped VM.
BAYOU take note. Your gun is actually a pre-M11, not M10.
Question. Is there a lanyard ring or a filled hole for one? Sign it's a chopped VM.
BAYOU take note. Your gun is actually a pre-M11, not M10.
Driftwood Johnson
New member
Howdy
If it is a chopped down British Victory model it will probably have a V prefix in front of the Serial Number on the bottom of the butt. Or perhaps a SV prefix for the ones with the modern hammer block installed.
Also, look for some British acceptance marks. Perhaps a small crown stamped on the bottom of the butt.
If it is a chopped down British Victory model it will probably have a V prefix in front of the Serial Number on the bottom of the butt. Or perhaps a SV prefix for the ones with the modern hammer block installed.
Also, look for some British acceptance marks. Perhaps a small crown stamped on the bottom of the butt.
Mike Irwin
Staff
The US civilian version of the K frame .38 S&W continued in production after World War II. It wasn't a big seller for the company, but it did see sales overseas to British colonies and the like.
After 1957 it became the Model 11 and continued in production for some years after that.
I'm not 100% certain, but I do not believe that it was ever offered commercially with a 2" barrel.
I don't think that it was manufactured for the British with a 2" barrel, either.
All 2" barreled K frames from WW II, and there were very few of them, were .38 Special and were intended for US use.
It's possible that a few were manufactured, but Jinks & Nahaus don't mention a 2" version .38 S&W, either in WW II production, civilian production after the war, or production as the Model 11 after 1957.
After 1957 it became the Model 11 and continued in production for some years after that.
I'm not 100% certain, but I do not believe that it was ever offered commercially with a 2" barrel.
I don't think that it was manufactured for the British with a 2" barrel, either.
All 2" barreled K frames from WW II, and there were very few of them, were .38 Special and were intended for US use.
It's possible that a few were manufactured, but Jinks & Nahaus don't mention a 2" version .38 S&W, either in WW II production, civilian production after the war, or production as the Model 11 after 1957.
Jim Watson
New member
Chopped, and Bubba Bumper Chromed. Or maybe nickel but still done at Bubba's.
Plastic stags.
Lanyard not only removed but the hole globbed full of something. Weld, maybe, since it too the plating.
They did these things by the barge load. They had lots of surplus and US television and bookstores were covered up with detective stories, so the "snubnose .38" was an easy sell. Unusual this one didn't get reamed to kinda sorta shoot Specials.
Plastic stags.
Lanyard not only removed but the hole globbed full of something. Weld, maybe, since it too the plating.
They did these things by the barge load. They had lots of surplus and US television and bookstores were covered up with detective stories, so the "snubnose .38" was an easy sell. Unusual this one didn't get reamed to kinda sorta shoot Specials.