Oswald's pistol cut down?

[David Andrews]

The Seaport Traders pistol purchase form allegedly filled out by Oswald specifies a ".38 St. W. 2" Bbl."

The WCR Appendix XII, p.653, specifies "Oswald's pistol was a small one with the barrel cut down to 2 1/4 inches."

How did a 2-inch barrel grow 1/4 inch in the "cut down" process? 

Cut down, presumably with a new front sight fabricated?

More WCR elusiveness.

 

 

Edited October 7, 2017 by David Andrews

[Tom Hume]

Hi David,

I spent some time this morning refreshing my memory about the .38, but I can’t address any of your questions. Below is a link to what appears to me to be a good summary of the handgun from pages 481-484 of Harvey and Lee.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/alt.assassination.jfk/Y08uda_h65c

[David Andrews]

OK, Tom -- Seeing the cut-down where you cited:

"Before the .38 pistols were sold to the public several modifications
were made by gunsmith M.L. Johnson of 13440 Burbank Blvd. in Van Nuys,
California.  The hand grips were changed, the swivel hole in the butt
of the gun was filled, the gun was re-chambered to a .38 Special (the
cylinder chambers were lengthened to accommodate the longer .38
Special cartridge as was the front of the cylinder where the tip of
the cartridge fit into the cylinder), the words "CAL. . 38 Special"
were stamped on the left side of the frame, the barrel was shortened
from 5-inch to 2 1/4-inch, and a front sight was added. In addition to
regular .38 ammunition the gun could now fire the longer (.35" longer)
and smaller diameter .38 Special cartridge."

It's why the grips are not standard S & W Commando.  Seems like a great deal of work in converting a lot of pistols selling at $29.99, but I guess that's neither here nor there.