Post Victory Model?

[TFS2403]

Hi all, I found this little gem at a southern Ohio gun show and could not resist it. I would like to know a little more about the gun. Can anyone tell me more info on this thing? Here is what I know: Serial Number 974619 (no V) Lanyard ring on the butt then a number 44. A dark gray parkerized finish, no military markings patent dates on barrel: feb 6 06, sept 14 09, dec 29 14 No other stampings, assembly numbers match, 5 screw model. I would like to know year of manufacture, and any other info. THanks in advance

 

[Will5A1]

Does it have an S in front of the serial number? Are either of the grips numbered to the revolver? From your pictures it loooks like a victory to me and would seem to fall into post war serial number range if I'm reading the SCSW right, but there should be an S on the butt also. Actually, on second look, thats a really high number for an immediate post war victory, I know of a commerical finish M&P in the S866000 range lettering to January, 1947, and your revolver is in the 900000 range so I would think all the Victory frames would have been used up by then. In any case I'd get it lettered, I'm sure some others will be along with some better ideas on your revolver. On the Smith Collectors forum there are a couple of guys maintaining a Victory database (www.smith-wessonforum.com), they may have some insight. I gotta ask also - did you get this at the Goodman show in Dayton?

I thought about this on the way in to work this morning and I think you revolver is probably a "pre-victory" made and shipped prior to the serial number sequence starting with the V, making it a 1941 or 1942 gun, but a factory letter would tell for sure. I was too focused on the "post" part.