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12-29-2023, 06:15 PM
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Year of production V S&W 38
I purchased a S&W 38 serial number v597807. Says US Property G. H. .? There is a third letter but can't make it out. Looking for year and month manufactured.
Last edited by dabshiresr; 12-29-2023 at 06:17 PM.
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12-29-2023, 07:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dabshiresr
I purchased a S&W 38 serial number v597807. Says US Property G. H. .? There is a third letter but can't make it out. Looking for year and month manufactured.
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GHD is for Guy H Drewry, who inspected WW2 Victory Models.
If you get the mods to move this to the right sub forum you might get a bigger response.
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12-29-2023, 07:36 PM
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.38/200 and .38 Special Victory Models 1942-1945 V1-V811119 And also those numbered with an “SV” prefix
Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard. Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) (p. 487). Gun Digest Media. Kindle Edition.
I don't know much about these old revolvers. Maybe my posted info relates to the subject revolver. Good luck on any further research.
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12-29-2023, 09:56 PM
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If it has a 4" barrel, and the barrel is stamped .38 S&W Special CTG, it is the U.S. version and probably went to the U.S. Navy. If it has a 5" barrel and is marked .38 S&W CTG on the barrel, it originally went to the British Commonwealth under the Lend-Lease program. That is probably what you have. The wood grips on it are not original.
Last edited by DWalt; 12-29-2023 at 10:00 PM.
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12-29-2023, 11:25 PM
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Picture shows a 5" barrel, so it is a Lend/Lease British Service Revolver from 1944. The stocks are postwar and therefore not original.
Overall, not a bad piece.
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Last edited by JP@AK; 12-29-2023 at 11:26 PM.
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12-29-2023, 11:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sigp220.45
GHD is for Guy H Drewry, who inspected WW2 Victory Models.
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Colonel Drewry (later BG Drewry) was the chief of the Springfield Ordnance Office at the time. It is doubtful that he actually inspected the gun, but his people did. The OIC's initials were used for the stamp.
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12-30-2023, 06:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dabshiresr
I purchased a S&W 38 serial number v597807. ..Looking for year and month manufactured.
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The factory did not typically keep records as to when a firearm was manufactured. Instead, it kept records as to when a firearm was shipped. Your revolver likely shipped in the May-July, 1944 time frame.
I hope that helps you.
Regards,
Charlie Flick
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12-31-2023, 12:33 PM
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I see some stamping on the barrel that are probably British proof marks and specs. These were required before a gun could be surplused and released to the private market. Some of these revolvers were rechambered in .38 special for resale in the US. If you can chamber a .38 Special round, the gun was modified. If not, it retains its original chambering in .38 S&W.
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12-31-2023, 03:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dabshiresr
I purchased a S&W 38 serial number v597807. Says US Property G. H. .? There is a third letter but can't make it out. Looking for year and month manufactured.
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According to my database, your gun most likely shipped May 1944. However, only a letter of authenticity would tell you for sure.
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03-24-2024, 01:28 PM
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Can someone date mine V 246507
Last edited by Rhood56; 03-25-2024 at 08:17 PM.
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03-27-2024, 09:56 PM
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Rhood:
Your Navy Victory likely shipped from the factory in the March, 1943 time frame. Nice gun, btw.
HTH.
Regards,
Charlie
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