S&W .38 victory model question

[abarber]

When my grandfather passed last month we came into possesion of some guns we know very little about. I was reading some of the earlier posted threads and it seems some of yall may be able to help me out. I'm currently looking at a Smith and Wesson .38 victory model (i know b/c it had a V before the serial number ) with a 5 inch barrel. it does say U.S. Property GHD on the top of the gun. On the right side of the barrel it says .38 S&W CTG (among other things but the rest is hard to read). Also, it does have the lanyard hole in the butt. I read on here that it may have been modified, upon returning to the states, to shoot a .38 special as well. How can I tell? How would I go about finding out specifics about this gun? Any help yall can offer would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Old Fuff]

You apparently have what is known as a Smith & Wesson .38-200 Model. These were originally developed for the British Army in 1940. Basically it is a Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police model (Also known as the .38 1905 Hand Ejector, 4th change) chambered in .38 S&W rather then .38 S&W Special. A version of the .38 S&W cartridge loaded with either a 200 grain lead bullet or a 178 grain jacketed one was the standard military sidearm cartridge in the British military services during World War Two.

Starting in early 1942, Smith & Wesson either made Victory Model revolvers in .38 Special for the U.S. Military, or .38-200 revolvers for the British, on the same basic frames. The .38-200 revolvers were marked as U.S. Property, but usually Lend Leased to England or one of the countries in their Commonwealth. Production ended in 1945.

A .38 S&W Special cartridge won't normally chamber in a .38-200 revolver unless it has been rechambered.

 

[abarber]

Old Fluff- thank you so much! That's so helpful. I wish I knew where grandpa got it. I do have another gun of his that isnt a revolver that i'm having a hard time getting any solid information on. Are you familiar with a french world war one gun referred to as a "ruby"?

 

[Old Fuff]

Are you familiar with a french world war one gun referred to as a "ruby"?

Are you referring to a medium sized 7.62mm (.32 acp) automatic pistol? If so, yes I am.

Concerning the Smith & Wesson .38-200 revolver. More specific information can be obtained from the company. They will go back and find the original shipping record for your gun, but there is a reasonable $50.00 research fee. Details follow:

Given this gun's history within your family, I suggest that you get it "lettered." To do so you will need a snapshot of the gun, a full description including the serial number on the butt, and a check in the amount of $50.00 made out to Smith & Wesson. In exchange the company's historian, Roy G. Jinks, will research the original records (which are not computerized by the way) and send you a letter containing the details of what he finds.

This comprehensive document will contain an overview of the model’s history, followed by the details of your particular gun. This usually includes the caliber, barrel length, finish, and the exact date it was shipped from the factory, and to what distributor or dealer. If there are any special features they will be listed too. This information is often invaluable to both you and future generations.

Additional information on a historical letter will be found at the Smith & Wesson company website at:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...catalogId=11101&content=25301&sectionId=10504