[COASTIE]

Hello, folks. My dad has had this revolver for decades. He told me at one time it had been in service with the Australian Air Force. Can anyone ID the stamps on this pistol? Thanks in advance.

 

[Austen]

The FTR\MA 55 marking indicates that it went through the Factory Thorough Repair process in 1955, at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory near Sydney in Australia. Most of the Australian issue S&Ws were refurbished at around the time of the Korean war. There is some debate about whether the A^F marking denotes 'Air Force' or 'Australian Forces'.
The piece is unusual in that it has a 4" barrel whereas most of the S&W revolvers supplied to the British Comonwealth via lend lease during WW2 had 5" barrels, and were chambered for the .380 Mk.II cartridge, with the barrel marked .38 S&W Cartridge.
Is the calibre marked on your barrel 38 Special or 38 S&W ?

Here is a view of one that was FTRd in 1953. It has a 5" barrel and is marked 38 S&W.

 

[gopguy]

Its one of the many Smith and Wesson Military and Police revolvers made in .38/200 for the Commonwealth forces during WWII. Its technically not a model 10 and the numbered model system came out in the 1950s. The grips are the later style as used on the American Victory models and poorly redone. She does indeed appear to be Australian Air Force. The FTR means she went through Factory Thorough Refurbishing. The broad arrow stamp indicates property of the Crown.

 

[darkenfast]

The revolver in the original post does appear to have a five-inch barrel.

 

[COASTIE]

The FTR\MA 55 marking indicates that it went through the Factory Thorough Repair process in 1955, at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory near Sydney in Australia. Most of the Australian issue S&Ws were refurbished at around the time of the Korean war. There is some debate about whether the A^F marking denotes 'Air Force' or 'Australian Forces'.
The piece is unusual in that it has a 4" barrel whereas most of the S&W revolvers supplied to the British Comonwealth via lend lease during WW2 had 5" barrels, and were chambered for the .380 Mk.II cartridge, with the barrel marked .38 S&W Cartridge.
Is the calibre marked on your barrel 38 Special or 38 S&W ?
View attachment 783484
Here is a view of one that was FTRd in 1953. It has a 5" barrel and is marked 38 S&W.

It is marked .38 Special.

 

[COASTIE]

Thanks for the information. My dad will be glad to know a little more about his S&W.

 

[Clyde]

View attachment 783960 It is marked .38 Special.

Is there a marking on the right side of the barrel (usual place for S&W to mark chambering on handguns) as well as the left side of the frame?

 

[COASTIE]

Is there a marking on the right side of the barrel (usual place for S&W to mark chambering on handguns) as well as the left side of the frame?

 

[Clyde]

Hmm - the combination of 38 S&W on the barrel and 38 Special on the left side of frame suggests it may have been converted to 38 Spl (which would really require a new cylinder or brass would bulge badly at the head).

Will it chamber 38 S&W?