I'm a new member that just inherited several revolvers and need help with identifying what I have and a value estimate.

Details:
Seriel # on bottom of handle - SV 7955XX
Cylinder has a P and a V and the same seriel #.
Cylinder hinge has the numbers 57795
S & W logo and Made in U.S.A. on one side
Barrel is 2 in. measured from cylinder.
No other visible markings.

Thanks

Attached Images

	SW38a.jpg (76.4 KB, 149 views)
	SW38b.jpg (68.9 KB, 147 views)

It's a cut down Victory. Is it 38 S&W or 38 S&W Special?

Not sure. There were several different cartridges stored in the box with this gun and they all are 38 spl, but there was also a Taurus 357 magnum revolver in the box. I don't know if the ammunition was for the 357 or the 38 or both. Should there be some markings on the gun that would indicate which one it is?

I was going to say that it is a seldom seen 2" immediately post war gun due to the SV. However, the extractor lug is missing under the barrel, supporting what the previous poster noted. A shortened barrel. I suppose it is still a 2" gun but not original. Answering one of your questions, I would give it a value of around $175-200, maybe less if it is not an original .38 Special chambering. I would be interested in knowing if the stocks match the serial number of the gun. The number should be stamped inside the right half (removal necessary).
Ed

I removed the stocks and the same seriel # that is is on the bottom of the grip and the cylinder is engraved on the inside of the right hand stock.

That is not the original barrel. Notice the shoulder area, with that
taper instead of a shoulder. I think that is one of the British barrels.

Later, Mike Priwer

Unfortunately it's another of the 3,543,761 butchered up British service revolvers. For some unknown reason there was a madness that swept across the Western World in the months following the end of WW II and many perfectly fine S&W revolvers were turned into "sporting revolvers" by butchering them beyond all recognition or hope.

Sorry to say this gun has very little value and is likely unsafe to shoot with 38 Special ammo as the butchering usually included an ill-advised and unsatisfactory boring of the 38 S&W chambers to this caliber.

Hi, you can check the chambers by looking inside at the chamber shoulders, where the bullet end of the brass casing should rest. If this distance appears much shorter than the .38 Special case, it likely is in .38 S & W. If you can't tell from this, next try to put a .38 Special round in one chamber. The Special case is longer and narrower in diameter than the .38 S & W. If it is still in .38 S & W, it will not fully seat, because of the extra length hanging up on the chamber shoulder. If it does seat fully, it may be an original Special, or may have been rechambered from .38 S & W and unsafe to shoot.

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

If it has been bored out to accept the .38 Special, would it be safe to fire with .38 S&W or .38/200 ammo?

It still should be safe to shoot the 38 S&W ammo. Its the 38 special
thats a problem, potentially.

Later, Mike Priwer