The Chairman. Can both kinds of cartridges be used interchangeably in this gun?
Mr. Cunningham. In this particular gun, yes sir. It makes no difference.
The Chairman. Either an S&W or S&W Special?
Mr. Cunningham. Yes, sir; the chambers of this particular cylinder have been bored out, it appears from the very rough marks, to accommodate the forward portion of a .38 Special cartridge. Also, when this barrel was made—or the cylinder was made—the chambers had a shoulder or lip that the .38 S&W cartridge case would fit up against. The bullet would go forward farther, but the cartridge case would fit up against this shoulder at the neck.
And in order to chamber a .38 Special, that forward portion had to be bored out slightly, several thousandths to accommodate the longer cartridge, which, by the way, is a very common thing on these surplus weapons. Practically all of them are being rechambered, due to the popularity of the .38 Special cartridge.
The Chairman. I see.
Mr. Eisenberg. Mr. Cunningham, this weapon—was this weapon sold into the United States after it had been used in England?
Mr. Cunningham. Yes, sir.
Mr. Eisenberg. How much sign of use does it show?
Mr. Cunningham. It has definitely been used, there is no doubt. However, the cylinder is quite tight, and I would say that this weapon is in good operating condition.