I certainly hope you good folks don't mind but I have one right here in my hands that I picked up years ago and have just recently been doing some research on. s/n: V 748248. Not marked US government. .38 S&W chambered. Top right side of frame (9 o'clock from hammer nose) is a small P. Right side,underneath MADE IN USA is a crown with what looks like a GP (with the P 1/2 way up the G). This mark appears in 3 or 4 places on the revolver. 5-screw; 5" barrel, lanyard, walnut smooth stocks. Round front sight. It looks like there used to be something on the barrel, just ahead of the frame, top right (as sighting down the barrel). Several marks but someone has filed them off. 5-screw, long action, no bar safety. Inside cylinder marked with the same s/n as above.
Been poring over S&W Std Catalog (3rd Ed) and Roy Jinks History of S&W and the lead me to believe the Victory was made only in a 4" barrel. However, the Catalog does say some were sent to RCMP in a 5" barrel.
Any ideas as to what, when, etc.?
Many thanks!