Hoping the experts here can help identify what I found and give thoughts if it is something I shouldn't pass up.

Honestly I've been looking for another M1 Carbine but stumbled upon what was advertised as a .38 S&W Victory model at a local store which caught my attention. After further investigation (realizing I'm a novice with S&W Victory models) it appears that maybe it is a pre-Victory in that the serial is 943000 (no V) with checkered grips (cylinder has same serial). Other than the flaming bomb on the handle, we could not find any other martial markings. One concern that the store worker pointed out is that the side plate does not look original (i.e. a bit of a gap, etc).

They are asking $425 for it. I snapped some quick photos which I'm attaching (in hindsight I wished to took some more).

Thoughts on what this actually is?

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Btw, we saw no import marks on this as well. I assume some sort of Commonwealth use but not sure. Also, if the side plate is not original, does that reduce the value significantly (I'm guess arsenal refinish?)

The experts will be along, but if it's truly .38 S&W, with that 5" barrel, it was likely a British Service .38/200. Are there any markings on the top strap? It may have been reamed out to accept .38 SPL. i doubt the sideplate has been replaced, rather just pried off by somebody who didn't know what they were doing. $425 seems high to me. I'm guessing $250 or so.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

It is a Victory, but not original. Refinished (the hammer and trigger should be color-casehardened), and the grips are not proper. I would not pay $425, but I won't speak for others.

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Pisgah

I think the sideplate is original; it fits too well not to be.

It is possible this one was originally blue and refinished (unfortunately including the hammer and trigger) in phosphate. If mechanically sound, perhaps $300?

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

It does indeed appear to be a late pre-Victory British Service model from spring 1942. As was mentioned, it has definitely been refinished.

The pre-war service stocks are too late for this serial; by the time of that one, the smooth walnut stocks were universally applied.

I suspect any additional markings may have fallen victim to the parkerizing job. As for "arsenal refinished", the only authenticated arsenal refinishes with a similar appearance commonly found are the ones done in Australia, and those are conspicuously marked on the frame; they also never refinished the case-colored trigger and hammer; so I'm pretty sure this is a commercial or private aftermarket job, severely reducing the gun's collector value.

I would also place the price significantly below $300.

PS: Alan, it's too late to have been blued. By the low 900-thousands, the switch to the utility finish has been made. Below is 910xxx.

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Thanks for the information everyone. Simply put, it appears that this isn't some sort of treasure that I would be foolish to pass up