"As WWII wound down and finally over, S&W got control of their factory back from Uncle Sam."

The government took over the plant during WW I, not WW II. S&W was making 1917 revolvers in 1917-1918 and they were building them to pre-war standards, including the bluing. The military needed these 1917s "right now" and that's why S&W lost control of the facility. If you can locate a Colt 1917, the wartime finish is much rougher, with much less polishing.

WW II started in 1939. S&W had been contracted to build a light rifle for the British government, but it turned out to be less than successful. The company started building Military & Police revolvers chambered in .38 S&W to compensate. When the US entered the war, S&W built M&Ps in .38 special. Having learned their lesson in WW I, the Victory models were much rougher, with little polishing on the exterior. But they were just as functional.

When WW II ended, consumer demand for goods was enormous. It was easy for S&W to build .38 special revolvers again since they were already tooled up for the Victory model.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!