I have a old s&w revolver stamped w/ property of navy. It has checkered walnut handle w/ emblem. There is a S on the inside of the handle frame. The serial number 956xxx but does not have a v in front. The gun finish looks like it was painted on, no bluing, looks like it has never been on the gun. Any help would be appreciated.

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Welcome! This is a late pre-war .38 Military & Police, probably from early 1942. Many of these went to the military or defense-related industries. It likely had either a matte blue or Parkerized-like finish; this was removed and the gun painted.

It may be worth a factory letter to see if the gun was shipped to the US Navy, as those property stampings are fairly rare. This is also a gun that would probably benefit from a refinish, or at least you have nothing to lose since it already has 0% original finish, once you find out what finish it had originally from the letter.

Firearm History Request - Smith & Wesson

Hope this is helpful.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Thanks for your info. The handles are not original. I was reading that some models were painted, is that true. The gun its self is in really good shape, barrel, action ect. Can i get refinish and would it be worth more than. All the other numbers match. Thanks

No M&Ps were originally painted. Military pre-Victories for the most part were blued, either by the old Carbonia process (very time consuming), or later, hot dip oxide bluing with wire brush or sandblasting as a pre-bluing surface prep. A phosphate finish (like Parkerizing) began in late May 1942, after yours was made. It would not be correct for your revolver.

I don't think I'd recommend spending the money (usually $250-up) for a professional blue job. If you wish to take on a project requiring some elbow grease, you may want to get a rust blue kit from Brownell's and DIY. It takes some effort, but it will look good. There are also some spray and bake teflon finishes that would be cheaper, but those would be even less correct than phosphate.

Another thought - if you look at the metal areas that were relatively protected (inside of cylinder window, grip frame and/or trigger guard) you can probably figure out which finish it had.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I've had several US Navy Victory Models in the serial range of yours and all were finished in the dull blue S&W factory finish. I've never seen one that had a Navy stamping and had an original commercial blue finish. Some S&Ws sent to England as part of the lend lease, or early British purchases, in caliber .38S&W ( 38/200) have returned to the US with black painted finishes applied by the Home Guard units in Britain. Why they paint them, I have no idea. Ed.

I'm reasonably sure that one, even if Navy, would originally have the "Black Magic" oxide blued finish, probably sandblast. Phosphate (Midnight Black) finishing would not yet have started. The British painted many of their WWII small arms black using a type of stove paint (they called it a "wartime finish" and some Enfield revolvers were so-stamped). Cheaper and faster than any other type of finish, and apparently it did the job well enough.

As I earlier said, I haven't heard of a Navy-marked pre-Victory with a SN that low.

Hi guys, >New Guy here<, first post.... I'm also a collector of British rifles and noticed the commentary regarding the "painted on" finish; the previous two posters were correct regarding the black war time finsh, often called Suncorite, however the British also used a greenish tinted preservative under the woodline on rifles, and in one of your photos it looks a lot like yours has that greenish preservative....
Do you see any unusual or unfamiliar proof stampings?

Slainte,

82ndpara

Thanks guys, my gunsmith said it was paint on the gun. I tent to believe him due to no evidence of any bluing on the gun. That being said could it be a british lend lease. If so is it worth any more and what happens if i guncote it. Thanks

If it has a U. S. Navy topstrap stamping and is marked and chambered in .38 Special, it is most definitely not a Lend-Lease gun. Those L-L revolvers were chambered in .38 S&W and will have "United States Property" or "U. S. Property" stampings on the topstrap. The bluing was likely worn off or removed at some time. At this point, whatever you do to refinish it will make no difference in value as it will be a shooter-grade gun only. The original finish exists but once.