My Brother has a WWII Model 10 Victory Model .38 special revolver that was handed down from our Dad. The revolver is is in relatively good condition even though the finish is well worn. The original grips were replaced with clear plastic ones with small green dice showing 7 on both sides. The plastic grips are also aged and have a few internal cracks (overall not bad for 70 year old plastic) The revolver originally belonged to an Avenger TBF pilot onboard his carrier. This we know because we have the original pilots shoulder holster with the aircraft type on it. The gun fires well and we remember firing it a few times with our Dad when we were young teenagers. We are trying to find out roughly when the revolver was made. I do not think it has much collection value as I previously stated it has been well used - evidenced by the finish. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks and God Bless

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Before the PC police descend on you, what your brother has is the twice removed predecessor to the Model 10 which didn't exist before 1958 when S&W began issuing model numbers. It is technically a S&W Military & Police revolver, Model 1905, 4th change. If it has a V series serial number (likely), it is called a Victory Model. It was made between 1942 and 1945. If you will give us the serial number, or at least the V and first 3 digits (you can XX out the rest, but we need to know how many digits), someone can give you a better date of shipment. Later in the war, some of the original Victory revolvers were modified to install a new hammer block due to a sailor being killed when one was dropped. These guns will have an SV before the SN digits. New guns made after that point during the war also began with an SV. I suspect your gun does not have an SV prefix. Anyway, when it was first issued, it would look something like this:

__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

AFNavDad:

Please help us to help you by providing the complete serial number and any markings on the left top strap and the butt. Anything less is of not much use in correctly diagnosing your revolver. Pics would be helpful as well.

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Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

WOW, you guys are awesome!! There is a "V" on the cylinder side of the lanyard ring and the rest of the serial number is 637967. Thanks

Your SN would indicate probable shipment from S&W in July 1944.

Thank you Sir (DWalt) I appreciate the information. I value knowing the history of war time weapons carried by our greatest heroes, our Veterans. Take care.

By the way, most of the .38 Special Victories went to the Navy, and many of those were issued to aviation crews. One important use of the revolver by flight crews was as an emergency signalling device, using tracer bullets, like miniature flares. Up until about mid-1943, Navy Victories were stamped on the topstrap as U. S. Navy property. Afterwards, they were marked as just "U. S. Property."

Nice that your Victory Model has the " in theater" clear plexiglass grips, with the Pair of Dice embellishment. WW2 collectors highly value that type of modification to handguns. The "Lucky 7 " might refer to the carrier of the squadron number, or just the pilot's thinking that a "7" was his good luck symbol. A research of carriers with Avenger squadrons might determine the actual pilots's name. Good Luck, Ed.

As those grips were hand made, usually from plexiglass windows from aircraft, no two are alike, and the quality of workmanship varied widely. Most every one I have seen had a picture of a pin-up girl like Betty Grable, or a picture of a wife or girlfriend on the back side. Sometimes only one grip had a picture, some having both grips with pictures. And they are found on many different handguns. I remember seeing one on a Beretta .380, but mostly on .45 Automatics. Many years ago, they were very common, but I don't remember the last one I saw. I'm sure someone reading this may have a collection of them, and it would be educational for them to post some pictures.

In the 1950s, the gun shows, pawn shops and second hand stores had lots of brought back Lugers, P-38s, Brownings, etc. from WW2 for lots less than a hundred bucks. I had worked at the Convair Aircraft plant in San Diego and had lots of scrap plexiglass. I made lots of the clear grips for the Lugers, put pictures of Hitler and a swastika under the plexiglass and quickly doubled my money! Made enough to open a gun store later! Ed.

"In the 1950s, the gun shows, pawn shops and second hand stores had lots of brought back Lugers from WW2 for around a hundred bucks."

More than I remember - I bought a number of P-38s and Lugers in the mid-late 1950s, and I don't think I ever paid more than $30 for one, and that price often included a holster. I have only one German pistol left from that time - a very nice BYF44 P-38 with holster and three magazines.