It appears the 5 inch barrel was replaced with a proper 2inch. I have the history of the gun provided by Roy Jinks the Smith and Wesson historian ( provided for a fee ). The gun shoots fine and is accurate at 25yds which is all I expect for handgun engagements. I carried a former German Army P-38 when an aircrew in Vietnam and it was only for up close and personal situations in case I was down and in the escape and evasion mode. I am presently searching for a replacement 5 inch barrel of the proper age to make the gun ” correct”.

The cut off barrel could have been post war but my thought was that since it is a large frame revolver a shorter barrel made it much easier to carry in a tight cockpit. It was professionally done and I don’t think any enterprising mafioso would bother cutting down a .38/200. I have found elsewhere that a firm in London, Cogsweil and Harris, converted the .38/200’s to .38 specials. I just find it intriguing that agun sold to the British Purchasing Commision, prior to the Lend Lease Act came into effect should show up in all places Anchorage Alaska USA. I just thought it would be great to get more info than I now have on it. Thanks for the replies.