British Lend Lease Victory 38 S&W 5-inch

[DARE]

To see if it is safe to shoot I would recommend taking it to a competent gunsmith. Let him check it out for you.

 

[Model19man]

Questions about a Smith and Wesson M&P Victory model
in 38 S&W. 5-inch barrel.
/QUOTE]

I have reloaded for this cartridge for my 38-200 Enfield revolver. My opinion - the dies are not too good for this caliber.

I bought a box of factory loaded ammo too - it fit in some chambers but not others. Finally I decided to remove my decapping pin from my die. Turns out the ammo loader used brass that was not sized properly. Resizing all the rounds fixed them.

 

[4K2022]

I have a LOT to learn when I look at used revolvers.

I would still like to know if this is safe to shoot.

No one on this forum is going to tell you this gun is safe for use. If you are uncomfortable with your knowledge of this revolver's operation heed the advice already posted and seek out a legitimate gunsmith. Someone has to handle your revolver before they can tell you it's safe to use.

The pictures you added are great everything looks well worn original to me. I hope you have it checked out soon and get to the range

 

[drcwks]

I hope the head stone turned out to every one's liking.

If you could take a nice clear close up of the "view marks" on the left side above the front of the trigger guard I might be able to narrow down the time of Mfg.. They look like two crossed swords with letters and dots.

Of course that doesn't help with your chambering problem.

The headstone is in the works. Thanks for asking.

I did try and look at the cross swords stamp and it's so worn
I wrote what I thought it could be on post it note.... I tried to shine a light at different angles plus natural light. These are the best pics I could do.

I understood that the cross swords stamp was when this revolver was transferred to another country or retired from original service.

The serial number is V 197209. Any idea of dating that? Is it normal for Dewey to stamp the butt and also the bomb stamp on butt? I have seen most of those stamps on the frame.

Thanks for everyone's help. Much appreciated.

 

[ordnanceguy]

...I understood that the cross swords stamp was when this revolver was transferred to another country or retired from original service.

The serial number is V 197209. Any idea of dating that? Is it normal for Dewey to stamp the butt and also the bomb stamp on butt?

drcwks:

None of the post-factory markings that I see in the photos are British military markings. All, including the crossed scepter/swords marking, are post-war British commercial proof marks. They prove that your revolver was in Great Britain post-war but they do not prove that your revolver has British WW2 military heritage. In fact, it probably was in use by British or Commonwealth forces in WW2 but none of the markings establish that fact to a certainty.

The crossed scepter/swords view marking is so worn that to my eye they are pretty much indecipherable as to details such as date and inspector.

Your revolver likely shipped from the S&W factory in the December 1942 to January 1943 time frame.

And yes, the G.H.D. marking on the butt is correct and properly located for this serial range.

I hope that information is helpful to you.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[Model19man]

This may help until Ordnanceman gets here:

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.38/200 Military Load - Steinel Ammunition Co.

The Steinel ammunition is what I had to resize so it fit my revolver. Apparently Steinel used Starline brass that was never sized.