Help Identifying a 38 M&P

[Dragon_02]

Hello I am new to the forum and just acquired a 38 M&P that I was hoping someone could help me identify the approx. date of mfg. and value. The serial# V6732XX The number on the yoke is 29933 with the number 5 stamped above it. The action works smooth, but I have no intentions on firing it. I think the pistol was reblued at one time as the S&W logo seems faint. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[Jim Watson]

It is a Victory Model produced during WWII.
I cannot read the right side barrel roll mark. Is it a .38 Special or a .38 S&W? The Specials were mostly US secondary standard military issue with some going to defense industry security. The S&Ws were mostly British service revolvers supplementing their .38-200 Enfields and Webleys.

No reason not to shoot it.
Many were sold surplus especially before GCA 1968. A lot of the .38 S&W British surplus were rechambered for .38 Special. They are somewhat OK to shoot, either with standard velocity Specials or if you can scrounge up some .38 S&W. Good to go if left in .38 S&W.
The .38 Specials are fine as is.
It has, as you suspect, been reblued; by the time they went to the V prefix they started out either dull blue or Parkerized. I can't tell if the grips are real or plastic pearl. Collector value is nil.

[Dragon_02]

Thank you Jim!! It is marked S&W CTG on the barrel and I believe the grips are real.

[JSR III]

Welcome to the forum.

Look at the barrel marking again with a bright light and a glass if necessary. There should be more than S&W CTG.

Definitely a Victory model with a refinish and non original stocks.

[Inusuit]

Originally Posted by JSR III

Welcome to the forum.

Look at the barrel marking again with a bright light and a glass if necessary. There should be more than S&W CTG.

Definitely a Victory model with a refinish and non original stocks.

Should be either S&W .38 CTG or S&W .38 Special CTG. Given the 5" barrel, it's probably S&W .38 CTG.

[DWalt]

V6732XX would date its shipment to around September 1944. Due to its modifications, it has no collector value. As previously stated, it may well have been rechambered from .38 S&W to accept .38 Special ammunition as many were. That's both good and bad. Good, in respect to ease of finding ammunition, bad in that it makes it worth even less.

[Absalom]

Originally Posted by Inusuit

Should be either S&W .38 CTG or S&W .38 Special CTG. Given the 5" barrel, it's probably S&W .38 CTG.

If all that's readable is S&W CTG, it's a former BSR, which, as mentioned, the 5" barrel makes a certainty anyways.

[Dragon_02]

Thanks for all the info guys. On the barrel it is stamped -
proof mark 38 S.&W. CTG then another proof mark.
There is also three P's, one on the frame by the rear sight, one on the cylinder, and one after the serial number on the barrel. Not sure if it means anything or not.

[Absalom]

Originally Posted by Dragon_02

Thanks for all the info guys. On the barrel it is stamped -
proof mark 38 S.&W. CTG then another proof mark.
There is also three P's, one on the frame by the rear sight, one on the cylinder, and one after the serial number on the barrel. Not sure if it means anything or not.

The dingbats framing the caliber stamp on the barrel are not proofmarks, but decorative and serve a purpose in even roll stamping. The P is the generic US ordnance proofmark and would be expected where you describe it, and confirms what had been said about your gun so far.

[murphydog]

Its official name is a .38/200 (a prior name for the .38 S & W chambering) British Service Revolver. The wartime version was named the Victory Model but it is distinct from the .38 Special VM used by the US military. Many were sold in the 1950s to the surplus market, barrels shortened, plastic stag stocked, nickel plated and chambers lengthened to accept the .38 Special. If a Special fully chambers it has been altered.

Yours appears to have the original barrel, a fairly nice reblue and (possibly) real mother of pearl stocks, which are quite valuable if so. Hope this is helpful.