Hi all...

I'm looking at a S&W Victory model on a gun auction site
that I might want to bid on. The serial # is V 721XXX. It's
stamped "U.S. Property G.H.D." on the left part of the
top frame.

Now, according to my copy of the "SCSW" this stamping
occurs in a serial range of V85000 to very close to the end
of production. My question to the experts concerning this
stamping is: is this kosher, or something added by other
than those authorized back in the day?

This Victory revolver also has a large letter "S" stamped
on the inside butt frame near the swivel, but no small "s"
stamped on the right side plate that would indicate a
modification to the hammer block. What can be said about
this? Hammer block modification or not??

Inquiring minds want to know.

That SN would indicate shipment in October or November 1944, and at least theoretically, that was prior to the improved hammer safety. Is it .38 S&W or .38 S&W Special? Indications are that later.38/200s never had the improved hammer safety installed. From approximately V300000 to end of production G.H.D is found stamped on the left top strap, along with the U.S. Property stamping, for both U.S. and British military production.

My inclination is to be very wary of any Victory you cannot handle personally.

I think you can consider the stamping as "kosher." I've never seen, nor heard of, a faking of that stamping as it would not increase the value of a gun. You don't state the caliber of the gun, however most guns with this stamping are the Lend Lease shipped guns to Britain and our allies in WW2 and are 38/200 caliber ( .38 S&W ). Be careful that the gun , if caliber 38/200, has not been altered to cal. .38 S&W Special by boring out the chambers of the cylinder. That destroys the gun's value as a collectable, and some say, even as a shooter. The "S" stamp on the grip frame indicates the gun has the improved safety hammer block. Ed.

Sorry for the omission, but the caliber stamped on the
barrel is " 38 Smith & Wesson Special CTG", and there are
no import marks on the revolver.

Like someone said, you can never say never when it comes to
Smith & Wesson guns. A mid production gun with later
production markings.....??

I'm still trying to figure out the S" stamp on the inside of the
frame butt next to the swivel. I don't see the small "s" on the
side plate.

Some early Victories (V, not SV) were given the improved hammer safety, which was indicated by an S put on the inside of the sideplate above the bottom screw hole. It's easy enough to detect the improved safety, but you need the gun in hand. Regarding value, it makes little difference as to whether the improved safety is there or not.