Can you help me identify this Smith & Wesson Revolver

[kdtdaltex]

I have a Smith & Wesson Revolver owned by a Oil Company PI (working 30-70s) in Texas past down to me and I am trying to identify it. Please help, Thank You.

On Barrel: 38 S&W CTG (looks like there is a marking before this, but cant make it out and after that looks like a 3)

On butt of handle V 461655

Nickel
Elk bone handles

Thank you for your assistance.

 

[il_10]

It's a Smith & Wesson M&P victory model that was sent to England under the lend-lease program in WWII. A lot of these were redone in nickel and chopped to 2", usually losing the lug under the barrel, to make more marketable.

It was originally in .38 s&w, but may have been "rechambered" to .38 special. If that's the case, the chambers will be a little big for .38 special and you can expect case ruptures with those.

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

yup, and if your curious M&P, stand for military and police. this model up to this point was refered to as a .38 Hand Ejector model. later it will be called K frame, and Model 10.

Every one I have seen in this frame size with a V in the serial number is a"Victory" model.
I dont agree all started as 38S&W, I bet at least 90% did, I have had 2 that were originally chambered for .38 special. There were quite a few of these used by our guys too. And there would be no advantage to chamber them, for the British 38/200 cartridge.
There are converted ones, just like il10 said. If you have 1 you'll know it.

KDTDALTEX, the mark you can't make out is Probably (*) there should be 1 fore and aft of 38S&W CTG on the barrel.

 

[SaxonPig]

Does it look like this?

 

[Jim K]

The Victory Model and the V serial went together. S&W's numbering machine only went to six digits so when they approached 1 million, they decided to put a prefix in front. The first idea was to use "A", but some bright PR type proposed "V" since the slogan "V for Victory" was everywhere in those years. So they went from 999999 to V1 and thus was born the "Victory Model". None were marked that and S&W always used the term "Military and Police" or "M&P" revolver in correspondence with the government. But they did use the Victory Model term in advertising, so it was semi-official.

Jim

 

[kdtdaltex]

Thank you

Thank you all for helping me identify this gun. Do you all know what it is worth?

 

[rcmodel]

Nickel
Elk bone handles

In it's refinished condition, the Elk grips might be worth as much as the gun if they are nice.

An all orginial British proofed S&W Victory model in excellent condition might fetch over $500 to a collector.

A refinished in nickle one?
Not so much.

So without actually seeing it or a photo?
I'd estimate in the $200 - $250 range.

rc

 

[RugerMcMarlin]

I'm in a funny mood, today, so I'm gonna say its worth more than most of the new ones.
Especially if it was passed down, a dying tradition.

It sounds different enough to be intresting too.

Also todays currency is no longer based on gold or silver reserves. I think guns are always worth more than currency.

You can use this excuse, to rationalize buying others too.