Date my 38 Special

[jasontstevenson]

hi - new to this forum so if i am missing anything suggestions would be helpful.

I have a 38 special CTG. it was my great grandfather's. all my grandfather could tell me was that it was "probably from the 40s". no credibility to that though.

Serial number on the Butt: V54525
Serial number on the barrel: V54525
Serial number on the cylinder: V54525
Serial Number inside the action or cylinder cradle: D87913
Serial Number on the Cylinder Arm: S87913

fixed site 3.25inch barrel

cant find anything about it anywhere! any help on the history or date of manufacture would be super helpful!

 

[Jim Watson]

You have a WWII vintage .38 Military and Police that the collectors call a "Victory Model" because S&W added the "V" prefix to the serial number and started over rather than number into the million range.
Somebody will be along shortly with a year, but in the meanwhile, I will guess 1943. Those other numbers were for in-plant tracking and are not recorded for posterity.

Barrel length is 4" as measured from the cylinder face to the muzzle.

Lanyard loop was removed and it looks like the grip screw is missing.

 

[jasontstevenson]

man that's awesome thanks!

 

[handejector]

Your gun has also been refinished.

 

[Goony]

It almost certainly was made and shipped in mid-1942.