I stopped by my gunsmith today to pick up my rifle - a S&W, BTW. He showed me a 4-inch barrel S&W 38 Spl that sure looked like a Victory Model, except it wasn't. Smooth military grips, lanyard loop, and off-set SN - 974010. No prefix of any kind and no US Property markings or visible proofs or inspection stamps. Had Made in USA and the S&W logo on the right side and the last Pat Date was Dec 1914. Half-moon front sight. SN matches - butt, cylinder, and barrel. I hope somebody can help.

Some would call your gun .38 M&P. They say Model of 1905, 4th change is collector speak. Victory production began when the M&P serial numbers reached 1,000,000. Sounds like your gun is military, just built before April 24,1942 when the number hit a million and the V prefix was added. Have also heard guns like yours referred to as "pre-victory." At SN 974010 you are just a few numbers before the change. Maybe March 1942 for a ship date.
There are some experts on these guns that I'm sure will weigh in soon with better information than I have.

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David Reynolds

It likely shipped in early 42, before the V-series began. Some may unofficially call it a “pre-Victory.” And regarding the Model of 1905, S&W ceased using that terminology in 1914. S&W never used “Changes”. That is 100% collector speak used to designate certain modifications made to the revolver during its production period. It is more correctly called a .38 M&P, as that is what S&W cataloged it as. In 1957, S&W went to a Model number naming system, and the M&P became the Model 10, i.e., a Model 10 M&P.

Mine, s/n 975939, shipped in Apr 1942. It underwent some modifications after WWII.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065