I saw this revolver stuck in the back of the display case at my favorite gun store the other day. It looked kind of shabby but I asked to look at it anyway because of the price tag on it. It passed all of the revolver test well and when I looked at the butt for the serial # I saw the V and I new enough from this forum that I wanted it. I couldn't see the S at that time. I checked all 5 of the ser.# locations and it all checked out. I told them what it was gave them a short lesson about these guns from what I've learned from y'all. Then I walked out with it for 140 bucks. Anyway, here it is after a lot of cleaning. I couldn't see the S until then. I didn't know about the S on the side plate until I did more research. I think it is maybe a commercial victory model 5 inch barrel. Any insight from the experts here would be very much appreciated.
Thanks.

Nice find! Some call this a Commercial VM due to the blue finish and checkered stocks, and this one is within the last thousand produced with the V prefix.

The two gentlemen who maintain the VM database will be interested to hear from you; I think they mentioned they have only 100 SV stamped guns in their records. Enjoy!

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I think you are correct. Looks like you got a free gun with the purchase of those stocks

I've got S 829071, a 5-incher, which has the plugged lanyard hole and no "V." Mine also has the "S" on the upper sideplate. It shipped in July, 1946.
Are the grips numbered to the gun? Some early post-war M&P's had those pre-war K frame magnas, and they are pretty valuable, depending on condition.
I'd buy guns like that for $140 all day long!

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John

Are the grips numbered to the gun?

Yes they are. I checked that out before I bought it.

I am a little confused about the S on the side plate though. I read the guns that were sent back to the factory for the safety had the side plate stamped. Were the guns coming out of the factory with the safety in them also stamped on the side plate?

There are many civilian SV-prefix revolvers lettered as having been shipped during the first months of 1946. My theory has been that S&W had a considerable stock of SV-stamped receivers in inventory at the cessation of hostilities in late 1945, and they were made up into commercial revolvers for post-war sale on the civilian market.

Although the references state that the last of the SV series was 811119, there are some higher numbered specimens known.

I don't know what, exactly, the S on the sideplate means. It's been assumed that it indicates a factory modification of an earlier revolver to incorporate the post-1944 improved hammer safety.

Yes, indeed . . . those are what are referred to as pre-war magna stocks. You should find a machined alignment disc . . . likely without the patent marking . . . in silver or possibly black finish. Later stocks used stamped metal discs.

I don't know the answer to your question about when the "S" was stamped on the sideplate . . . in addition to the one in the serial number . . . but suspect it had to do with retrofitting the safety block hammer into the sideplate (or replacing the sideplate) after the gun was produced. Am anxious to hear from the experts.

Very early post-war example . . . congratulations,

Russ

Fletre:

That is a very nice example of the civilian Victory Model. It qualifies as a Victory because of the SV serial prefix.

Yes, the S was applied to Victory Models that were selected and returned to the factory for modification. This consisted of installation of a new hammer safety block. Among other things this mod required the fitting of a new side plate. The new side plates, for both modification of existing guns and new production as well, had the small "s" mark applied so that it could be readily determined if the revolver had the new hammer safety block. Modified guns also received an "S" added to the existing V serial prefix for the same purpose. New production guns like your example had the SV prefix added at the time of manufacture. In the case of your revolver it was manufactured with the new hammer safety block and was not a modification of an existing revolver.

Based upon the information in the Victory Model Database, which my pal LWCmdr45 and I maintain, I can estimate for you that your revolver likely shipped in the March-April, 1946 time frame.

I hope that information is helpful to you.

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Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

Congrats on a great find!

Hi fletre,

I have an "SV" that is only 513 numbers younger than yours and it was shipped to the NYPD on March 15, 1946. Mine has the officers shield number stamped on the back strap and shows wear typical of a duty weapon.

Attached Images

	victory model M&P 1945 SV serial no..jpg (37.9 KB, 27 views)
	S&W M&P 1946 NYPD_01sm,jpg.jpg (73.0 KB, 30 views)
	.38 M&P 1946_02.jpg (88.5 KB, 29 views)

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Pay attention...it pays to win

It deserves a history letter!

Nice find!!

Thank you,

That clears that up for me. I didn't know the style of the grips are apparently the most valuable part of the gun. They do have the black machined backs on them. Now I know that too!

Thanks again for everyone's input.

Yes, often the grips can represent a sizable portion of the value of the gun. Gone are the days when you could pick up almost any grip style for a few bucks at a gun show or in a markdown box at a gun shop. It's no exaggeration that some grips can approach $1000 prices.

Case in point. I bought a pair of early Colt Python target grips in a markdown box at a Laredo TX gun shop in 1991 for, I think, $10. I sold them last year on eBay for $450, and they would probably bring more today.