Have a quick question about a Victory model I just picked up. The top strap is marked US property GHD It is chambered in 38 S&W special which I assume is 38 special and not 38 S&W? Correct? The serial number is V3092XX. When was is made? 1943 is my best guess? Is there any way to tell where this revolver was sent during WWII?
Thanks for the help.

Correct on the caliber, and I think the year also. By knowing the destination of nearby SNs, someone here can probably give you a very educated guess about its original ship destination; finding out to where it actually went after this, unless you bought it from the person to whom it was issued, is usually not possible.

Here is the information on the factory historical letter:

Firearm History Request - Smith & Wesson

Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks Murphydog.

In front of the property stamp, you should also be able to see a tiny flaming bomb. That is the U.S. ordnance mark. The letters G.H.D. are the initials of the Army General who was responsible for procurement and inspection of small arms for the U.S. Military during the war. His name was Guy H. Drewry.

You are correct. Victory Models intended for use by U.S. troops were chambered for the Special. Those made for the U.K. were chambered for the .38 S&W, called by the British the .38/200.

Mid-year 1943 is a good guess. But a letter will tell you the year, month and day, as well as the destination. I have a letter on one with a serial number just a few thousand higher than yours and it was shipped to the Oakland Navy Yard in August, 1943.

Murphydog gave you the best answer for this question.

Jack

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

That SN would indicate mid- to late-July 1943 shipment. By "sent", a factory letter will not tell you any more than to which branch of service, or possibly indicate use by defense plant security guards, etc.

"The letters G.H.D. are the initials of the Army General who was responsible for procurement and inspection of small arms for the U.S. Military during the war"

Not quite correct. Drewry was the Chief of the Springfield (MA) Ordnance District. S&W was located in this district, as well as a number of other defense plants making ordnance material. But there were also other Ordnance Districts (I think there were 14 of them) covering other U. S. manufacturing centers and defense plants, therefore, not all U. S. small arms manufacturers were under Drewry's purview. Nor was the Springfield District responsible only for small arms production oversight, as virtually all types of war material production (tanks, aircraft, ammunition, etc.) in their area was also under their responsibility. The U. S. Army Ordnance Department during WWII was a tremendously complex organization. It's a miracle that it could have been so effective in those days when computers did not exist.

True enough, but both of us have only told part of the story.
First, I did not mean to imply that he was only in charge of procuring small arms. Other aspects of ordnance did fall under his purview, as DWalt said.
Before he took over the Springfield District, however, he had served as both Deputy Chief and Chief of the Small Arms Division in the Army's Office of Chief of Ordnance. Development, Production, Procurement and Inspection were all under his authority. This included small arms and ammunition. His initials appear on hundreds of thousands of handguns, both revolvers and pistols. I've personally seen dozens of M1911A1 autoloading pistols with G.H.D. stamped on them, as well as Victory Model S&W revolvers.
He also worked closely with John Garand in the development of the justly famous Garand rifle.
He was a very important figure during the war effort. He lived until 1973, dying at the age of 78.
Jack

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Thank you all for the information. Now I need to find a Model 1917. Maybe someday I'll get lucky again.

You are aware that there are two Model 1917s? One S&W and one Colt. You really need both.

Good thread, as I found a Victory model in the 700,000 range today that had the "GHD" stamping. I had no idea what it was. Good parkerizing, non-original stocks, lanyard loop, $400.00. Was it worth that? Thanks.

Yes sir I am. Almost had a pristine colt a few months ago. The search continues.