Maybe a WWII Navy issue 38?

[Chet]

My dad left me this S&W 38 Special that he got from a friend after WWII. It appears to be in very good condition. Markings: Top of Barrel - Smith & Wesson Springfield Mass U.S.A.,Patented Feb 6,06 Sept 14,09 Dec 29,14 Left side of Barrel Smith & Wesson, under the Walnut grip on frame a letter M, Bottom of the frame next to swivel V94625, Right side of frame insert the S&W Logo with trade on top and mark on the bottom & reg us pat off. Also on the right side of the frame below the cylendar is made in u.s.a., on the right side of barrel is 38 S.& W. Special. The barrel is 3-3/4" is 6 shot and has a solid front sight machined with the barrel. I'd like to know when it was made, the value and exactly when it was used.
Thanks in advance. Chet

 

[Shear_stress]

A mod should probably move this to the "revolver" forum.

First, welcome to THR. Sounds like a S&W Victory model,a K-frame wheelgun made between 1942 and 1945. According to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson they were made in .38 Special and the British .38/200 round and had either a 4" or (rarely) a 2" barrel. Serial numbers ran between V1 and V769000, then prefixed "SV" until SV811119, but it's hard to pin down the exact date of manufacture without a factory letter. Also hard to substantiate when it was used. Other folks can probably give you a better sense of the value than I can.

Is it Navy marked?

 

[Iggy]

Check your private messages.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Here's a Navy issued one that was my father-in-laws.

 

[Oro]

The barrel is 3-3/4"

You should re-measure it from the front of the cylinder all the way to the muzzle. It should be either 4" or 5", they usually were not a full 1/4" off those dimensions.

While the lack of markings doesn't rule it out, a "Navy Victory" is usually Navy marked either on the left sideplate or top strap.

Your gun was likely made in mid 1942 I think based on the s/n. No guarantee on that, or what happened to it after that point. Pictures are worth 1,000 words and if you can post a few then more information could be forthcoming.

Nice picture, Cocked & Locked.

 

[messerist]

What a treasure Cocked & Locked!

 

[jhvaughan2]

Nice, C&L

I have the Jacket, Hat, knife and shades from my father, but oooh the revolver just makes the ensemble.