Hi, I have taken the liberty of jumping right in with a "did I make a big mistake" question. Pictured is my "new" S&W I hope the pictures are useable. Can I please have some info from a knowledgeable source, and as always an estimate of value assuming that it has any.

Kind regards

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Can't say if you made a mistake without knowing how much it set you back.

The barrel certainly has a Victory SN, but the butt does not. The nickel looks decently done and at least they didn't plate the hammer, trigger and extractor. The bone stocks are a nice touch. Looks like the butt is the only place that got over-buffed when they plated it, but the SN is still legible and predates the Victory designation by a few years. The star indicates a factory repair or modification, but likely not the nickel job, as I would expect S&W to recut the SN (but could be wrong).

Is the Cylinder serial numbered? If so, does it match the barrel, the butt, or neither? If you remove the left stock, there should be numbers like 7.57 (July 1957) or 3.48 (March 1948) indicating when it was in the S&W shop. An N there will indicate it left the factory with a Nickel finish.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

The mismatched SNs indicate a plated parts gun. As noted, the frame is somewhat earlier than WWII, maybe late 1920s. It's pretty but not very valuable except for what someone might pay for a shooter - $300 or so. A collector would not be interested.

Thank you both for such quick responses, I will look for more numbers on the places you suggest. It was $150 ... phew!!!

The pictures do not do the finish any credit at all, it is an excellent and I would hazard a guess very recent re-plating.

I will however keep this as my very first handgun (coming from a country where they are banned) and treasure it even although I once met Methuselah.

I can see from reading other posts that there is a collecting bug that I could easily fall into but obviously need to be much more aware of what is out there, I suppose everything has a collector somewhere.


Without attribution would you suggest I took it to a gunsmith before firing it? .... I almost answer the question by asking it!

Kind regards

PS sorry for posting in the wrong area

You are correct. If you are not familiar with the revolver's function you should have it checked by someone who is. Whether a gunsmith or a knowledgeable friend, a quick check will determine whether it is safe to shoot. If it is, you did not get hurt at all at $150.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

$150 is what I would consider a great price for a shooter. These old K-frames seldom wear out, and if the cylinder locks up on every chamber, it's probably OK to shoot. Anyone who knows anything about revolvers should be able to check out the timing and lockup for you in a couple of minutes. It probably does not need any internal parts cleaning if it seems to function properly. Not a big job to clean the internals, but not recommended unless there seems to be something amiss. Use of lead bullet loads is preferable.

Well I looked for other numbers ... Findings are:-

On the cylinder the number matches that on the butt. Down to the star.

Under the pretend stag handles the following was found :-

R-N (in a stamped box)
B (in a stamped "circle" that is pointed on the right side)
55 just below the hammer but covered by the stag antler
647 further along the rear bar
K 0 7 and a possible 1 surrounding the pin holding the stag horn in place
Sorry I tried to take pictures but they were worse than the last ones
Along the barrel top the patents listed end Dec. 29 14
Lastly I went to the local weapon range that advertised as having a resident gunsmith who after much inspection said it was in excellent condition the cylinder worked great. He did say the nickel plating was among the best he had seen on such a revolver.
He did not ask what I paid for it nor did I offer the data.

..... and I bought some lead followed by a really good time on the range.
In my ex job I was used to groups of 2" at 200yds with my .308 deer rifle and Swarovski 8x56 so having to settle for 2-3" groups at 15 yds with open sights will take a bit of getting used to.

Now I have the bug I need to buy a modern pistol so I am told!!

Again thank you for your replies.

Kind regards

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The refinish is fairly good. Much better than usually seen. As noted, barrel is a replacement for some reason. As long as function is good you got a great deal at a buck and a half. I'd take every one I could get at that price and sell them for $250 (and they would sell fast).

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No life story has happy end.

Thank you, I have had several complimentary remarks from the limited interactions at the range I will be joining on the quality of the re nickel job and these guys and girls are owners of some incredibly expensive weapons. I have found many like minded people (not surprisingly) and no end of advice and help. There is little tolerance of blowhards on initial meetings, and a very high respect for honesty. That said there are really strong views on specific brand names, S&W Sig HK and FHN seem to have a huge set of fans.

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Dean do dhicheall i gconai

I too have one of these nickel plated 38 specials. All matching numbers. Exact same grips. Posted pics. Any helpful info is appreciated.

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Serial # is V626xxx. On inside of plastic grip it has: S&W , MP-MG, 255, and I believe it says, Franzine. Maybe other things that I can't make out. On frame under grip it has: 5S, H , D , S and the number 8 I think it is. On left side on frame under left grip is an 8 0r a bomb. Can't make it out. Like previously stated, all matching numbers and a very well done refinish job. Not a scratch on it with the exception of a very light turn mark. Any info is greatly appreciated.

hell for 150 id take it
save wear on my pristine one

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John Hermesmeyer USMC9296

Based on the serial, the gun should have been manufactured in the summer of 1944, although I have a V 626xxx that didn't ship until June 1945. Since the flaming bomb is on the butt, there was likely no top strap property stamp and it was a DSC gun shipped to a non-military destination. None of the markings on the grip frame matter or tell much.

The Franzite grips are fairly common post-war aftermarket. The nickel job does indeed look very nicely done, except that they couldn't leave well enough alone and nickeled the trigger and hammer, too.

The grips that Red Deer Manager showed back in 2014 look like real stag. The ones shown by Integrity1957 are plastic Franzites.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Well I thank you for all your info. It's very helpful. I'm still trying to figure out the Distinguished Service Cross though. You're right no military stamping are stamped on the blackstrap. I'm trying to find the original grips. Can't change the plating though.

The fake stag grips actually look cool
if I were to replace anything it would be the nickel trigger and hammer with OG casehardened ones

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John Hermesmeyer USMC9296

Thank you. Sounds like a plan to me. I'll see what I can do to remedy those items.

Red Deer

The R-N in the box most likely indicates a factory nickel refinish, and the 647, presumably
stamped on one of the grip straps, could be the refinish date, of June 1947.

Mike Priwer