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S&W Mod. 10 Victory Model Markings
1/15/2012 3:31:55 PM
Alright you S&W revolver experts, I need some help or insight to what these markings mean. I'm trying here first before I post elsewhere, hopefully I wont have to. 
Here is what I know: it is a Mod 10 that was made in the US then shipped to the UK during WWII under the lend-lease program. It was originally .38/200 (.38SW) caliber, but the cylinder has been bored out to accept the .38 Special cartridge. It has the typical BNP/crown commercial markings for private sale export/import; the "Made in USA w/ SN V7307xx w/ "P" proof;and a British SN of 8-8804. There are 2 markings that I do not know the meaning of.
There is the Chinese symbol for "big" on the front of the receiver ahead of the cylinder gap on the right side of the revolver. The other is on the left side of the frame down low just above the forward part of the trigger guard that shows crossed swords and a "G" on the left, a "B" to the right, and what appears to be an " I " or a " 1 " on the bottom. Those 2 I'm not for sure on what they mean.
I can only surmise that the Chinese symbol for "big" was added when the .38 Special conversion was made, but where was the conversion made??? Hong Kong? Singapore? Formosa?
The crossed swords and the G, B, and I point to the British army simply because of the crossed swords.
More specifics on the details of either markings would br greatly appreciated. Thanks a many!!!
- Jason
Here is what I know: it is a Mod 10 that was made in the US then shipped to the UK during WWII under the lend-lease program. It was originally .38/200 (.38SW) caliber, but the cylinder has been bored out to accept the .38 Special cartridge. It has the typical BNP/crown commercial markings for private sale export/import; the "Made in USA w/ SN V7307xx w/ "P" proof;and a British SN of 8-8804. There are 2 markings that I do not know the meaning of.
There is the Chinese symbol for "big" on the front of the receiver ahead of the cylinder gap on the right side of the revolver. The other is on the left side of the frame down low just above the forward part of the trigger guard that shows crossed swords and a "G" on the left, a "B" to the right, and what appears to be an " I " or a " 1 " on the bottom. Those 2 I'm not for sure on what they mean.
I can only surmise that the Chinese symbol for "big" was added when the .38 Special conversion was made, but where was the conversion made??? Hong Kong? Singapore? Formosa?
The crossed swords and the G, B, and I point to the British army simply because of the crossed swords.
More specifics on the details of either markings would br greatly appreciated. Thanks a many!!!
- Jason
1/16/2012 5:23:37 PM
This is what I got from another website;
..... "Sounds like a date code not a proof mark.
Crossed swords Birmingham date code 1950-74, B at right and letter at left denoting year B=1951 C=1952 and so on
inspectors number was usually underneath
so proof dated 1956
the proof mark will be a crown with thick letters underneath "
..... "Sounds like a date code not a proof mark.
Crossed swords Birmingham date code 1950-74, B at right and letter at left denoting year B=1951 C=1952 and so on
inspectors number was usually underneath
so proof dated 1956
the proof mark will be a crown with thick letters underneath "
1/17/2012 7:49:51 PM
Ah, good to know and thanks for the info! 
