Purchased an interesting S&W today.
.38 special, 4" barrel, parkerized finish.
Serial #998238. Help with manufacture date appreciated?
On the left side of the frame, below the cylinder it is marked "US-AC-13528". Does the "AC" stand for "Air Corp"?
The lanyard loop has been cut off.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: whitecoyote,

Your revolver was likely shipped around June, 1942.

I don't think the the meaning of the "AC" mark is known for certain.

quote:

Originally posted by Tom Doniphon:
Your revolver was likely shipped around June, 1942.

I don't think the the meaning of the "AC" mark is known for certain.

Tom Doniphon,
Thanks for the information. Every little bit helps.

Hi White:

The date of shipment on your Pre-Victory revolver is around June, 1942, as stated by Tom but could be earlier or later. The Victory Model Database, which my pal LWCMDR45 and I maintain, shows guns in the 999,000 range shipping at various dates from April through July, 1942. Only a factory letter can give you the precise ship date, though.

The "AC" does not refer to the US Army Air Corps. The Air Corps changed it name to the US Army Air Forces a year earlier, in June 1941.

What is more likely is that your revolver was a DSC gun shipped to a defense plant or contractor. Many of these plants were erected with government funding and they remained the property of the US while being operated by civilian organizations for the government. I assume that there are no left topstrap markings and no markings on the butt or backstrap, correct?

Also, I would be a little surprised if your stocks were original to the gun as the checkered walnut service stocks were pretty much phased out in favor of the smooth walnut variety by the time this one was shipped. Can you confirm that the serial on the inside of the right stock panel does not match the gun's serial?

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Regards,
Charlie Flick
S&WCA #729
NRA Life

The grips may be original. I have 931560 and it has checkered grips that number to it. I believe that it was an April '42 shipment to the DSC. Check the number and let us know.

OFT:

We already have your revolver in the Victory Database but do not have the ship date or destination. Would you please post that so we can include that data?

Thanks.

Charlie Flick

ordnanceguy,
Thanks much for the information.
I checked the grips, the numbers there do not match the serial, but they are not far off.
The lanyard ring is missing. It has an Aluminum plug that fits perfectly flush with the frame, and is held in by the pin. Is this a S&W fix, or did someone do this at a later date?
There are no other markings on the revolver.

White:

Thanks for the additional information.

The aluminum plug is not something that was installed by the factory.

Your stocks almost certainly would have originally been of the smooth walnut variety.

If you ever get around to getting a factory letter on your revolver I hope that you will share its contents with the rest of us.

Best regards,
Charlie Flick
S&WCA #729
NRA Life

quote:

Originally posted by ordnanceguy:
White:

Thanks for the additional information.

The aluminum plug is not something that was installed by the factory.

Your stocks almost certainly would have originally been of the smooth walnut variety.

If you ever get around to getting a factory letter on your revolver I hope that you will share its contents with the rest of us.

I certinally will share any future information with you.
In your professional opinion, should I leave the "plug" in, or should I find a lanyard ring to install.
Thank you much!

You are very welcome.

My personal inclination is to have my own guns in the configuration they were as they came from the factory. Everyone has different opinions on that subject, but that is mine. If I owned your revolver I would retro-fit the lanyard ring and stocks.

Regards,

Charlie Flick

whitecoyote, The markings on your gun, US-AC-13528 may be US-AC-16528. Check that second digit, These are the marks of the Ford Motor Co., Dearborn,, Mich. I have number 999890 with the markings US-AC-16528. My gun was shipped July 7, 1942. Factory records indicate that the US-AC-16528 is the Defense Supply Commission contract number for the Ford Motor Co. purchases of Victory Models in WW2 for the various Ford plant guards. Ed.

quote:

Originally posted by opoefc:
whitecoyote, The markings on your gun, US-AC-13528 may be US-AC-16528. Check that second digit, These are the marks of the Ford Motor Co., Dearborn,, Mich. I have number 999890 with the markings US-AC-16528. My gun was shipped July 7, 1942. Factory records indicate that the US-AC-16528 is the Defense Supply Commission contract number for the Ford Motor Co. purchases of Victory Models in WW2 for the various Ford plant guards. Ed.

opoefc,
I checked that second digit with bright lights, and all the magnification I could find.
That second digit looks more like an "8", not a "3". It is a possiblity it could be a "6".
The markings are very faint, and without magnification it cannot be seen.
I live only several miles from Dearborn, MI (Ford Motor Co).
So all this, is now makeing more sense.
Thanks everyone!

Hey Coyote. I found an extra pair of Victory grips in one of my grips boxes, their yours if you want them.

moosedog,
I certainly would love to have them!
Thanks much!

quote:

Originally posted by ordnanceguy:
What is more likely is that your revolver was a DSC gun shipped to a defense plant or contractor. Many of these plants were erected with government funding and they remained the property of the US while being operated by civilian organizations for the government. I assume that there are no left topstrap markings and no markings on the butt or backstrap, correct?

Regards,
Charlie Flick
S&WCA #729
NRA Life

ordnanceguy,
What does "DSC" stand for?
Thanks.