JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone
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Is the engraving and jeweling, 'factory'? What model is it? Where should he go to get a value for it?
Serial number on the butt is 458117
Serial number on the butt is 458117
A friend with a S&W 38spl wants to know what it is.
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Jim Watson
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The model is .38 Hand Ejector Military & Police from before numbers were used.
The grips are military type. This might be a WW II service revolver - British contract or US secondary standard. Are there any markings besides S&W trademarks that the engraver did not erase?
Not factory.
I think of guns engraved by hungry Axis gunsmiths during the Occupation, but it could have been done by about any journeyman engraver anywhere.
The grips are military type. This might be a WW II service revolver - British contract or US secondary standard. Are there any markings besides S&W trademarks that the engraver did not erase?
Not factory.
I think of guns engraved by hungry Axis gunsmiths during the Occupation, but it could have been done by about any journeyman engraver anywhere.
I am (usually) in agreement with Jim. The military grips and elaborate engraving suggest Occupation (of Germany)era work. The serial number would appear to be firmly pre-war but only a S&W letter settles the matter. I'd get one on this piece. I would also get period grips.
People are asking $1000-1200 or so for engraved Victory Models. I can't answer if they are getting anything. Echoing Jim (sort of) I would detrmine if it was born a .38 Special.
People are asking $1000-1200 or so for engraved Victory Models. I can't answer if they are getting anything. Echoing Jim (sort of) I would detrmine if it was born a .38 Special.
While the engraving could have been done anywhere, it looks like Japanese work, not German. There is no way of knowing, but like Jim Watson and Waidmann, I think it is occupation era work, sometimes called "carton of cigarettes" engraving because that is what it cost Americans.
Mostly I have seen it on war souvenir and personal weapons but in this case an American may well have "liberated" his issue weapon or one he acquired. If I owned that gun I would be in a quandary whether to put on stocks that would complement the engraving or leave it as is for its historical value.
Jim
Mostly I have seen it on war souvenir and personal weapons but in this case an American may well have "liberated" his issue weapon or one he acquired. If I owned that gun I would be in a quandary whether to put on stocks that would complement the engraving or leave it as is for its historical value.
Jim
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