First of all, this side of the Forum is new to me. I acquired a five screw nickle or chrome four inch K-frame yesterday. The serial number is 5593xx with a small "v" to the left of it on the butt. The weapon looks like it had a lanyard hole filled. The trigger and hammer are the old style long action with "MADE IN U.S.A." stamped on the right of the frame. Big knob on the end of the unshrouded ejector. The barrel is stamped ".38 S&W Ctg." on the left side with "Smith & Wesson" on the other. It also has a smooth backstrap and front strap. This gun came with some newer production Magna grips. Doesn't look half bad with the grip adapter I added. Pretty slick, smooth action as well. The sights are fixed with a big half moon front. Lee Barner seems to think it might be an old refinished British .38/200 made for the war. I agree with him so far, as I don't have enough experience with these to really know. I just want to get some idea of value, and a close birthdate. I realize that it is hardly a registered Magnum, but I just want to know if I have something that nobody will want, and I'm just stuck with it. I got it more or less for trade fodder, and got boot money with it. So I don't THINK that I got hosed on the deal. Any and all opinions from you guys are appreciated. And thanks again, Lee, for the information. It is much appreciated.

No expert here but some quick reading in SCSW 3rd and Pates "US Handguns of WWII" indicates some nickel versions using the K-200 / Victory frames were produced. If it were mine, unless it is obviously a nonfactory refinish, I'd send a request to Roy for a letter just to see what I had.

What I don't see is a photo

Good luck.

Sorry, pace. I'm just not photo literate enough to post one here. I can take them with my digital camera, and have even sent them by e-mail, but no luck on the posting thing. Hell, not long ago, I was still using an old Kodak 126 camera!

I'll post pics for you if you want to email them to me. Address is in profile. I'd love to see a photo or 2 and I'm probably not the only one once others read this.

Here's 3 of jframe's photos.







I think Lee may be correct in his assessment but as I said I'm no expert. I'm sure someone very familiar will chime in. Are there any other markings anywhere? Specifically on the top strap or area of the logo or on the frame under the stocks?

Jframe:

Lee Barner has steered you right. He has correctly diagnosed your revolver as a refinished .38-200 Victory Model. If the barrel is indeed measured properly to be a 4" tube, it has either been cut down or is a replacement. The lanyard ring has been removed and the original smooth walnut stocks have been replaced with the Magnas. You did not mention any military markings so I suspect some or all of them have been removed as well, a not uncommon practice with refinished Victories.

From our Victory Database I can estimate for you that your revolver likely shipped from the factory in the April, 1944 time frame.

Hope this helps you.

Regards,
Charlie

The gun has a "P" stamped under the barrel above the ejector rod next to the serial number. I may be wrong on barrel length; didn't actually measure it. The serial numbers match on the butt, barrel, and cylinder. That same "P" is also on the cylinder along with a "V". Any idea on value? By the way, no other military markings that I can see. Nothing under the grips except some proof marks that I can't see.

i have the same gun as you jframe nickeled 4 in. mine looks like a factory finish but chances of that are slim.i have 300.00 in mine.i am waiting for the factory letter from the guy i bought it from,that will tell me what i need to know.

Is this gun worth a letter in anyone's opinion. I have about 250.00 tied up in it and would really just like to get my money back. If I was more familiar with the weapon and caliber and if it had a story or two to tell, I might keep it. I just really picked it up as trade fodder.