Hello to Everyone on the forum!
I have recently come across a WWII era S&W revolver, and I spent some hours lurking and researching it on a couple sites. It belonged to my "Step Father in Law". He had owned it a long time I think. He was a Vietnam Vet who recently passed. Tho I have known of it for several years, I know little about the actual provenance.
I will try to attach some decent pics to show what I am trying to describe.
It's a 4in, .38 special, hand ejector per the markings. The revolver serial number is 984103, stamped on the butt, cylinder and barrel, and it appears to have the same SN stamped on the inner right side of the smooth square butt wood grips. The butt swivel is attached.
There is no US Government markings on the top strap of any kind, so I am thinking, Police model instead of Military issue.
It has a fixed notch rear sight and half-moon front blade.
There isn't an obvious "V" marking until you open the cylinder and find the to find the matching (assembly?) numbers (31 361). No "S" at all that I can find. The "V" marking I CAN find is just above the assembly (?) number on the frame, and another "V" near the bottom of the grip - vicinity of the lanyard loop on both sides in slightly different locations. Again, there is no "S" that I can find indicating any updated safety modifications.
There is a stamped "R" also on the bottom right of the grip near the spring notch, and a "2" up high on the right side back strap, both hidden by the wood grips. There is some obvious sanding , or light grinding, where the back strap-ushers into the palm, but that is the only obvious alterations.
The patina isn't great, and appears bluish (depending on the light it can also appear a slightly parkerized brown), rather worn I think, with some small light rust spots visible in various places. The cylinder and barrel appear a little dirty from some past use, but everything seems tight and the trigger seems fairly smooth. Probably could stand a good cleaning and a little trigger lube.
The lack of obvious "V" or "S" near the SN makes me think this is a late model, 1905 gen 4, near the end of the run before they transitioned to the official "Victory" model. If true, perhaps this was shipped mid-to-late '42 to a US Maritime Commission / Defense Supply location? Or is this really a later Victory model with strangely placed "V" stamps?
What I would like to know if, given the pictures, anyone can tell me a little more of the provenance and potential value?
Is it worth being lettered?
I would enjoy it being simply a shooter "as-is", but if there is some reason to preserve it as some sort of collectible then that would be great to know as well.
In advance, from the soggy Pacific NorthWest, thanks!
I have recently come across a WWII era S&W revolver, and I spent some hours lurking and researching it on a couple sites. It belonged to my "Step Father in Law". He had owned it a long time I think. He was a Vietnam Vet who recently passed. Tho I have known of it for several years, I know little about the actual provenance.
I will try to attach some decent pics to show what I am trying to describe.
It's a 4in, .38 special, hand ejector per the markings. The revolver serial number is 984103, stamped on the butt, cylinder and barrel, and it appears to have the same SN stamped on the inner right side of the smooth square butt wood grips. The butt swivel is attached.
There is no US Government markings on the top strap of any kind, so I am thinking, Police model instead of Military issue.
It has a fixed notch rear sight and half-moon front blade.
There isn't an obvious "V" marking until you open the cylinder and find the to find the matching (assembly?) numbers (31 361). No "S" at all that I can find. The "V" marking I CAN find is just above the assembly (?) number on the frame, and another "V" near the bottom of the grip - vicinity of the lanyard loop on both sides in slightly different locations. Again, there is no "S" that I can find indicating any updated safety modifications.
There is a stamped "R" also on the bottom right of the grip near the spring notch, and a "2" up high on the right side back strap, both hidden by the wood grips. There is some obvious sanding , or light grinding, where the back strap-ushers into the palm, but that is the only obvious alterations.
The patina isn't great, and appears bluish (depending on the light it can also appear a slightly parkerized brown), rather worn I think, with some small light rust spots visible in various places. The cylinder and barrel appear a little dirty from some past use, but everything seems tight and the trigger seems fairly smooth. Probably could stand a good cleaning and a little trigger lube.
The lack of obvious "V" or "S" near the SN makes me think this is a late model, 1905 gen 4, near the end of the run before they transitioned to the official "Victory" model. If true, perhaps this was shipped mid-to-late '42 to a US Maritime Commission / Defense Supply location? Or is this really a later Victory model with strangely placed "V" stamps?
What I would like to know if, given the pictures, anyone can tell me a little more of the provenance and potential value?
Is it worth being lettered?
I would enjoy it being simply a shooter "as-is", but if there is some reason to preserve it as some sort of collectible then that would be great to know as well.
In advance, from the soggy Pacific NorthWest, thanks!
