.380 Brit. Caliber John Swinfen Revolver

[AlleyOop007]

I believe this little revolver to be more than 120 years old making it an antique, but its so well made I thought I would share it here to find out if anyone on this forum has one and to perhaps learn more about my own:

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu236/AlleyOop_007/British%20Handguns/380JohnSwinfenRevolver1JPG.jpg

The barrel is 2 1/2 inches long (to provide some idea of its overall size). The grip panels are very delicately checkered ebony or darkly stained walnut. I didn't find any remnants of a finish when I removed the grip panels so I assume the revolver has always been "in the white" since it left the manufacturer.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu236/AlleyOop_007/British%20Handguns/380JohnSwinfenRevolver2JPG.jpg

It has a swiveling ejector rod similar to the 1895 Russian Nagant. Also note the opened loading gate at the rear of the cylinder.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu236/AlleyOop_007/British%20Handguns/380JohnSwinfenRevolver3JPG.jpg

They are difficult to read in this photo but the words JOHN SWINFEN and 79 BANK STREET are engraved in Italics in two lines one above and one below the sight groove on the top strap and MAIDSTONE is engraved in the same script in the flat on top of the barrel.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu236/AlleyOop_007/British%20Handguns/380JohnSwinfenRevolver4JPG.jpg

There are proof marks over every chamber on the cylinder, the frame and the barrel that have been identifed as British in origin:

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu236/AlleyOop_007/British%20Handguns/380JohnSwinfenRevolverProofMark2JPG.jpg

Chamber mark and frame mark viewed from right side of revolver.

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu236/AlleyOop_007/British%20Handguns/380JohnSwinfenRevolverProofMark3JPG.jpg

Barrel mark on left side of barrel.

I "Googled" John Swinfen and found a reference to John Swinfen, Gunmaker, at 79 Bank Street, in an old 1877 city directory for the city of Maidstone, Kent, a community that is 30 + miles SE of London. Additional surfing the net put me in touch with the local museum where a staff member did a little research after I sent pictures of the revolver. He advised me that John Swinfen was more of an importer/distributor than an actual maker and that most of Mr. Swinfen's products were made in Belgium and by other European manufacturers. The firearms, primarlily revolvers and shotguns as best as I can determine, were imported and Swinfen put his name and address on them for marketing purposes. The fellow informed me that they had a few of his revovers in the museum and that mine looks similar to the ones Swinfen sold in the 1880s.

I am curious to know if the .380 British is interchangeable with the .38 Short Colt or the .38 S&W? I've seen arguments for both and even a statement that the .38 S&W is too large in diameter to chamber. I know the last statement to be untrue with this revolver since I have chambered a 38 S&W with ease; the only problem was that the nose of the bullet extended a tiny amount beyond the face of the cylinder enough to prohibit the cylinder from turning.

I hope you find this little revolver and its history to be as interesting as I and that perhaps some readers may be able to provide some additional information about it.

[32 Magnum]

Here's a direct quote from "Cartridges of the World 7th Edition" by Frank Barnes"

"The .380 Revolver cartridge is a British innovation for the Webley revolver and orginated about 1868-70. It was loaded in the U.S. until shortly after WWI. The 38 Short Colt was copied from it, and most 380 revolvers will accept the Colt version. It has been largely replaced by the inside-lubricated 38 S&W. "
In use by the British military after WW1 - the cartridge was fitted with a 200 gr. lead bullet and called the 380/200. It proved to be a good "shocking" round in combat use.

[AlleyOop007]

Thanks for the info. I have a US Army 1903 .38 Colt revolver and I believe I may have some .38 Short Colt ammo as well as .38 Long Colt put away . I see if the Short Colt will "fit" the old Brit revolver - not to shoot, just for show.

[rugerwheels]

Looks a lot like the Webley Royal Irish Constabulary revolver. Perhaps a copy?

[AlleyOop007]

Looks a lot like the Webley Royal Irish Constabulary revolver. Perhaps a copy?

It may well be a close copy of a Webley made in England. A comment posted on another forum where I posted this revolver offered: ". . . Your pistol has one feature which, at least to me seems more typically British than Belgian, the sear release behind the trigger. This sort of mechanism was common on Trantors and other British guns. Pulling the trigger cycled the double action mechanism but the actual release of the hammer occurred when the trigger pushed against the lever in the rear of the guard."

[32 Magnum]

Did a little research: it appears to be an "ADAMS" pattern revolver from 1870s -1880s. With the scattering of proof marks - I'm thinking it was imported into England. I have a couple American made pieces that are covered with British proof marks - in a similar manner.

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