Recent content by Tom Doniphon

Yes, it is the GECO mark. It also has German proof marks.

The factory letters for these W marked Victory Models do not always state they were shipped to the OSS. I have V498607 with the W mark on the butt and no US Property marks other than the P proof marks. It's the Victory model depicted on page 150 of Pate's book on secondary handguns of WWII...

Welcome to the Forum. Your Victory Model likely shipped in late 1942, probably Nov. or Dec. You will have to order a letter from Smith & Wesson to find out the exact day it was shipped and to where it was shipped.

Real nice Victory Model. Get a letter for it to find out when and where it was shipped.. I used to have one like yours in the lower serial number range that was shipped directly to a mid-West oil company.

The proofs are not marks relating to the War. They would have been applied after the revolver was released from service for commercial sale. The number 19 could be a rack/inventory number which could be related to the War. The AF mark with arrow in between is likely an Australian ownership...

Yes, it was a British service revolver. The marks you describe were applied by the Birmingham Proof House in England. When the revolver was released for commercial sale it had to be proofed.

Yes, that’s correct. They are Military & Police Model of 1905 Third Change.

Lee and Big Larry, I too have the same M&P revolver as yours with round butt and medallion stocks (which are numbered to the gun). Mine is sn 229154 shipped April 4, 1916.

They certainly didn't ship in numerical order. #229154 shipped on April 4, 1916.

I have a S&W Model 1917 revolver that is British proof marked like dedburd's. It has been reblued, but I don't know when, where or by whom. It also has a crown over A M mark on the left sideplate which I have been told means the British Air Ministry. It tpo is probably one of the guns sold to...

The GECO mark is still in use to this day. GECO merged into a larger company a while ago, but the mark is still a registered trademark. I have a Victory Model that also has the GECO mark, but it's located on the bottom strap. The revolver also has German proof marks on the barrel and frame as...

Intersting Victory Model with some great history. I can't recall seeing the W mark on the butt on a Victory with that high of serial number. The W marked guns usually fall into the high 400,000to low 500,000 serial number range. Thanks for posting the photos.

"Until I saw this gun, I thought that the Austrian and German Victories were all in 38 S&W. I didn't know that some four-inch .38 Specials had made it into European service as well." Many of these revolvers in 38 special were used by the allies during the post War occupation of German and Austria.

Gary, your Victory Model likely shipped in Dec. 1943. The W mark on the butt is still a mystery. It shows up from time to time on Victory revolvers in the high 400,000 to low 500,000 serial number range. I have V498607 that also has the W mark on the butt. It was shipped to the USN in...

I'm thinking your revolver likely shipped in 1916-1917 because I have 1905 third change s/n 229154 that shipped in April 1916.