Hi, and welcome to the Forum.

Serial number V361xxx indicates production in 1943. I just looked at your photo of it on another site and it is wearing faux-stag stocks that are, naturally, not original.

Sorry to inform you that the barrel has been cut, no matter what the guy at the gun shop told you. The front locking lug was cut off when the barrel was chopped. I strongly suspect this was originally a British Service Revolver that was cut down after the war and probably had the cylinder reamed to take .38 Special ammunition. Of course, it could be a cut down U.S. Victory Model, but the odds are against it.

I truly hope the guy who said it was original didn't con you out of good money for this gun. I, personally, wouldn't pay $150 for it - probably not even $100. It might be okay to throw under the seat in your pickup, but it has basically been ruined.

When I was a kid, these were all over the mail order advertisements, selling for about 25 bucks.

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318