1905?

[skywagon]

I am new to the collection of S&Ws. I have a victory .38 s&w a 1917 .45. And today I bought what I was told is a 1905 .38. On the butt of the gun is an S 814325. How can I tell what I have?

 

[skywagon]

I am new to the collection of S&Ws. I have a victory .38 s&w a 1917 .45. And today I bought what I was told is a 1905 .38. On the butt of the gun is an S 814325. How can I tell what I have?

 

[mikepriwer]

What you have is an early post-WW2 revolver. Right after the war
ended, and commercial production resumed, the remaining serial
numbers in the V series were used. The serial numbers were prefixed
with "S". Some of the uncompleted V frames became SV guns, and the
rest became S guns.

This gun should have the earlier long-action. Later in the S series,
the short action is introduced.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[opoefc]

skywagon, Mike & Steve's info is correct. The gun is a "postwar" commercial Victory, as it's known by collectors, however it is a Model 1905, 4th change, also known as a Pre-Model 10. This may sound confusing to a newer collector of S&Ws, however as time goes by and you get a larger accumulation of S&Ws, it will all fall into place!