I am trying to identify my Dad's pistol that he gave to me before his death. It has a 4" barrel S/N begins with SV 781---. On the top of the barrel it has three patent #'s, February 06 1906, September 14 1909, and December 29 1914. That is all of the identifying marks I can find.
38 S & W Special CTG
- Thread starter T-763
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A decent photo would be VERY helpful. With that limited information it is extremely likely it is a WWII "Victory" model Military and Police revolver. Probably produced fairly late in WWII as the numbers end with SV811119 in 1945.
It does fall within the serial number range for the "commercial" Victory variant shipped beginning in 1946. Likely military/DSC as stated above, but really could be either. Some photographs will be absolutely essential to make the call.
SV781000 is still well within the range of units shipping to the Navy late in the war. At that time, the vast majority were heading to the Oakland Navy Yard for service in the Pacific. There are some exceptions, of course. There are some with lower serial numbers that went to civilian locations in March 1946. Those include quite a few that went to the NYPD - all postwar shipments.
On the other hand, I have recorded a 1200 unit shipment to Oakland in February 1945. Those serial numbers are very near this one. My bet is on this being a Navy gun.
On the other hand, I have recorded a 1200 unit shipment to Oakland in February 1945. Those serial numbers are very near this one. My bet is on this being a Navy gun.
DWalt
Member
S&W made up some SV-series revolvers following war’s end for civilian sale in 1946. They used military components remaining in parts inventory, but finished in the pre-war commercial blue way. And they used checkered wood grips instead of the wartime smooth wood grips. Good pictures of your M&P would be helpful in determining what you have.
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