Got the letter from the Smith & Wesson historian.
Except for the post war proofs, the revolver is like it left Springfield in May of 1940. As someone surmised earlier, it is one of a shipment that went to South Africa early in the war.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachm...5&d=1686055785
http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachm...6&d=1686055805
