Help Identify This hand ejector

[2bnag]

I am trying to help a friend identify an old S&W hand ejector. The serial number looks to me to have been replaced by non factory stamps. It is chambered in .38 spl, has a 4" barrel, fixed sights, strain screw is present, the grips are later replacements, landyard ring is missing, and it is a 5 screw. It is marked "U S Property" on the frame above the cylinder. last patent date appears to me to be Dec 22 14.
I know nothing about how to identify the difference in the frame models. All help is appreciated...Bill

 

[2bnag]

a few more pictures:

 

[DWalt]

Obviously it is a WWII Victory revolver. However the SN stamped on the butt is bogus. Check the rear face of the cylinder and the flat on the bottom of the barrel for the true SN. There may be a legal problem with ownership of this revolver as the SN may well have been changed. In any event, it has non-original grips and its monetary value is slight.

 

[codenamedave]

Just a footnote to DWalt's comments, the bottom of the grip frame is the official location for the serial number, so even if the correct factory number is stamped all over the rest of the gun, it's still considered an obliterated serial number by TPTB. There is a chance that the number was legally changed for some reason and the new one is the one recognized by the ATF, but checking that may be problematic.

 

[Targets Guy]

The pin appears to still be in the swivel hole. Nice looking revolver; just needs a new coat of paint.

 

[2bnag]

The serial number on the butt has been stamped on the bottom of the barrel and on the crane. The serial number on the cylinder is 184887. I should have guessed a victory model from the G.H.D. on the frame. Thanks to all...Bill

 

[Absalom]

The serial number on the butt has been stamped on the bottom of the barrel and on the crane. The serial number on the cylinder is 184887....

There is likely a V one space over from the number on the cylinder, and that makes it a military-shipped Victory from late 1942.

With the serial changed in all those other places, someone did apparently decide to give the gun a "rebirth" as a new gun, he just didn't know all the locations. Victorys had no serial on the frame in the crane/yoke cut-out, which I assume you are referring to. Funny they left the property stamp in place. Definitely a gun in the legal "twilight zone".