Help identifying/dating grandfather's gun

[werewolf_nr]

Hi, my grandfather left behind several weapons, and I've been mostly able to date and ID them. However, one of the S&W revolvers has been foiling my attempts.

Info as per the stickied thread:
No model behind the yoke

1. Hand Ejector
1. Serial 764XXX
*final digit is hard to read, will provide focused pic if needed
.38 Special
5"
Hand Ejector Fixed Sight

Additional:
Strain Screw
Lanyard swivel
5-screw layout

Special grips, look/feel like an early plastic trying to emulate ivory or bone.

Thank you in advance.

 

[merl67]

Welcome to the forum your gun is most likely a Military & Police Model Of 1905 4th Change from the late 1930's or early 1940's someone will be along shortly to better nail it down the fake jigged bone were kind of popular back then but not original

 

[chiefdave]

755066 shipped to a US Government Agency on 4/18/1941 so your revolver is likely from that timeframe. Would be worth the cost of a letter to see where it went. If your relative was a LEO or armed guard there could be some history there. Enjoy your family heirloom.

 

[werewolf_nr]

755066 shipped to a US Government Agency on 4/18/1941 so your revolver is likely from that timeframe. Would be worth the cost of a letter to see where it went. If your relative was a LEO or armed guard there could be some history there. Enjoy your family heirloom.

Thanks! I know he was in the US army and served in WWII, but neither his discharge papers (found after his death) or his oral history suggest he brought this one home from the military. He did bring home a different trophy and I have the documentation on that, but no .38.

The letter you're referring to is the $35 letter to S&W for the serial lookup?

 

[H Richard]

The letter chiefdave referrs to is a $100 letter of authentication from the S&W Historical Foundation. http://smith-wessonforum.com/SWCA-Downloads/ec_tmp/Letter_request_form.pdf

 

[Art Doc]

Guess that's why I am not an expert. Sure looks like a Victory Model to me. I'd be asking the OP if he's certain it's a 38 Special and there's no V prefix in the serial.

 

[handejector]

I doubt there is a V prefix, but tell us if the barrel is actually marked "38 S&W Special Ctg"

 

[werewolf_nr]

I doubt there is a V prefix, but tell us if the barrel is actually marked "38 S&W Special Ctg"

Correct. The barrel has that exact marking, and there is no "V" before the serial.

 

[Targets Guy]

s/n 7648xx shipped 4/41. It was a 5" barrel as well.

One of our members, Absalom, earlier stated the change 4, Models of 1905 after s/n 690000 generally were supplied to support WWII war efforts.

I own s/n 7651xx which also shipped in April of 1941. I also own s/n 7796xx which shipped Jun 1941.





After the war it was coverted by Parker Hale in Great Britain to its current configuration

 

[werewolf_nr]

Mine is 7649xx. Grips must be after market unless S&W was sending the fake bone to the army or as lend-lease.

I'm going to be submitting the letter as soon as I can get physical access to a printer and circumstances allow.

 

[Targets Guy]

Mine is 7649xx. Grips must be after market unless S&W was sending the fake bone to the army or as lend-lease.

I'm going to be submitting the letter as soon as I can get physical access to a printer and circumstances allow.

Many BSRs and Victorys were converted after the war. That style of grip was very popular for those guns.

I am almost positive your gun shipped in April but only a letter will nail it down for you. I have documented a range of s/n 7597xx through 7651xx (not inclusive) shipping that month. Back then the shipments were pretty good sized.

By the way s/n 7648xx also shipped 4/41 and was a 5" barrel.

 

[handejector]

Mine is 7649xx. Grips must be after market unless S&W was sending the fake bone to the army or as lend-lease.

I'm going to be submitting the letter as soon as I can get physical access to a printer and circumstances allow.

The grips are not Factory. They are imitation stag. Quite popular in the 50s and 60s.
Being granpa's gun, I can see you wanting a letter, but I doubt it tell you anything exciting.

 

[anonymouscow]

I own s/n 7651xx which also shipped in April of 1941.

I have a letter for 765198, shipped April 24, 1941, delivered to Kelley - How - Thompson Co., Duluth, MN. .38 S&W Special. Shipped with 5 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered walnut grips. This shipment was for 25 units all in the same configuration.

 

[Targets Guy]

I have a letter for 765198, shipped April 24, 1941, delivered to Kelley - How - Thompson Co., Duluth, MN. .38 S&W Special. Shipped with 5 inch barrel, blue finish, and checkered walnut grips. This shipment was for 25 units all in the same configuration.

Dang. Mine just missed that shipment. Unless the s/n's were not consecutive. In which case it may have been in that shipment.