Need Help Identifying - S&W 38 special

[jkraig]

I have a S&W 38 Special I am trying to determine the year and model. I was thinking it was a 1950's M&P, but looking through the site I may be incorrect. It has a parkenized finish rather than a regular blued finish - all original.

Thanks in advance for the help - Serial Number is 4853xx. It was my grandfathers, then my fathers, and now mine. My grandfather bought it from a retired police officer sometime in the 50's-60's.

 

[XavierBreath]

It appears to me to be a S&W Victory Model M&P with later grips installed and the lanyard loop removed. On the butt of the gun there should be a recess where the lanyard loop once resided, and a V prefix opposite of the serial number.

If you want to go back to the original smooth walnut grips, they usually run $20-$25 on ebay. The lanyard loops can be had from Numrich. The grips presently on your revolver are transitional magnas and would sell for enough to get the original Victory grips and lanyard loop if you wanted to go that route.

Value in original trim is now about $200-$300 depending on condition.

 

[jkraig]

I do believe you are correct. There is a "V" opposite of the serial number, and a hole between (Must have been for the lanyard loop).


Thank you for your help.

 

[jkraig]

..............As far as a date of manufacture?

 

[Iggy]

1942-1945 Ser. # V1 to V811119

 

[jkraig]

Victory model
.38 Spl. (post-WWII commercial sales only), .38 S&W Spl. (U.S. government sales only), or .38 S&W (Lend-Lease arms to Allied Forces only) cal., 2 (rare) or 4 in. barrel, mfg. in accordance with British/American Lend-Lease agreement of WWII, parkerized finish, most with "V" prefix, approx. 240,000 mfg. 1942-1945.



Post-WWII Victory models sold commercially went through the Defense Supply Commission, and had no U.S. markings. These models will bring a premium. Be careful of fake markings.

 

[DANIE]

I have a s&w 38 special I would like help to identify. Serial number is c414343 and on the inside it has 30386 stamped on the inside. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Radagast]

DANIE:
30386 Is an assembly number used to track parts in the factory and is irrelevant once the gun is finished. C414343 dates your gun to the period 1957 to 1959. As there is no model number stamped on the frame cut out (near the assembly number) your gun will date to 1957, as that is the year model numbers were introduced.

If your gun has a steel frame then it is a postwar .38 Military & Police. This became the model 10 in 1957. If it has an aluminum frame then it is a .38 Military & Police Airweight. This became the model 12 in 1957.

 

[DANIE]

Thank you