S&W M&P Victory

[high voltage]

I'm trying to find out some info on a revolver my Father-In-Law has.
It has a 4" Barrel, marked .38 S&W SPECIAL CTG on one side, SMITH & WESSON on the other. Patent info is on the top of the barrel. The serial #V625732 is on the frame/cylinder/barrel. The letter P is also found on the side of the frame just behind the cylinder, as well as on the cylinder itself. The Revolver itself is in nice condition. The original stocks are missing, in their place are larger target type grips with a thumb rest on the right side. They are marked made in Italy on the inside. From researching on line all I've figured out is that it is a Victory model produced between '40-'45. This gun is finished in nickel. Were any of these produced in nickel? I'm curious because even in areas smoothed down from holster wear there is no sighn of darker metal. Any info on this peice in general (history wise) as well as to how the lack of original grips/nickel finish may affect the value.
Thanks in advance!

 

[moewadle]

The Standard Catalog of S and W

by Supica and Nahas, 2nd edition (3rd edition is out also) says that the Victory model was built on a square-butt K frame with 5 screwws and had a V in serial for Victory against the Axis powers in WW2. Normally found with a 4" round pinned barrel (2" are scarce); six-shot cylinder with a nominal length of 1.56", lanyard ring usually found on the butt, sandblast blue or Parkerized finish, non-shrouded extractor, etc, etc, etc, The V serial was used for V-1 to V-769000 and then a new design hammer block was introduced and the serial prefix became an SV added to indicate the change. The book authors have never been able to prove an VS serial also exists among reports there is such a thing. As far as factory nickel plate there were about 86 made but with a SV serial. I am guessing from you are saying that, based on the reference book, you might have a standard Parkerized version that was nickel plated. Or did I miss something you said?

I forgot to add that the book states the block of serials from V-1 to V-811119 were made from 1942-1945 and also those with SV prefix.

 

[Ron James]

A very few SV serial number Smith and Wesson's were nickeled, but as far as I can find No V serial number M&P's were nickled plated. I would think that refinished and with out the original grips you have a nice looking shooting firearm. Sorry about that.

 

[high voltage]

Thanks for all the information. I'll take a few pictures tomorrow and post them .

 

[kiko1]

Victory

Check out the following website. It will give you some info about Smith & Wesson's Victory models.

HTH

http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/victory_model_smith_and_wesson.htm

 

[TomcatPC]

I'm glad some one started a thread on S&W Victory Model revolvers. Some where "out there" someone might own a S&W Victory Model that my Dad carried in the War. He went through no less than three during his time in the Pacific as a gunner in a TBM Avenger...LOL. The first one was stolen from his kit in the squadron ready room. The next got "liberated" (along with his flight suit, jacket, May West, knife, googles, helmet, etc) by a crew man on the submarine (USS Gabilon) that fished his crew out of Tokyo Bay on 10 July 1945. And finally the replacment revolver he was issued for the final few strikes on the Japanese homeland in the last day until V-J Day.

Another funny story on the S&W Victory Model then I will shut up. A few weeks back my Dad's squadron had their annual reunion. I spoke with a few on the radiomen in the squadron and almost all of the told me they would crack the crew hatch open while over the target and "strafe" with their revolvers...LOL.

Sorry if that was way off topic and offering no information. I will be getting a British .380"/200 S&W Victory Model after Christmas. I hope to also find a decent priced US .38 Special version some time down the road.
Thanks
Mark