Id on 5-screw on High SN 38spl w/lanyard

[bellportman]

Good evening! This one had me wear out the pages of my S&W Catalog. Been through all the variations and can't find a home for this guy! Gun appears un-fired, finish is almost perfect.

4" Bbl, exposed ejector rod; has hammer block; flat butt with lanyard ring; no serial number prefix; serial #9799xx; 5 screw side plate; what looks like a number 2 on the crane; smooth wood grips like the Victory models; black Magic finish.

Left barrel marking: SMITH & WESSON
Right Barrel marking: 38 S. & W. SPECIAL CTG
Frame Right Marking:Made in USA
S&W Logo Trade -Mark
Top Barrel: SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. USA
PATENTED FEB.6.06, SEPT.14.09, DEC.29.14

Any help and a value would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Craig

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! 10.5 years from joining to first post may be a record.

This is a .38 Military & Police that has all the characteristics of a wartime Victory Model minus the V serial number prefix. Collectors call it a "pre-Victory Model". It likely shipped in mid-1942 to a defense or related destination (military, Merchant Marine, wartime plant security, police department).

It has a 5-screw frame counting the one at the base of the trigger guard. I would call it a $600 gun or so. Enjoy!

 

[tenntex32]

That's a very nice looking pre-Victory. I have one that's about 5000 serial numbers younger in the 985xxx range.

Welcome to the forum,
Dale

 

[DWalt]

9799xx indicates shipment around May 1942.
See this about more information on Victories, even though yours is actually a pre-Victory: http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/victory_model_smith_and_wesson.htm

 

[Absalom]

The pristine finish is interesting for a gun made this early in the war. On the second photo the barrel seems to show a different hue than the frame. But the stampings on the right are absolutely sharp and it appears original.

Don't put any money on this, it's very speculative, but here is a quote from the Hellstrom notebooks (as rendered by Ed/opoefc in an old post):

"... 5/22/42 to 8/17/42 Some guns were parkerized instead of Black Magic blue. These were all sandblasted. 2187 shipped between these dates to DSC orders. Navy did not get any Parkerized guns. Ser#s around 980,000..."

Unfortunately these guns aren't identifiable even with a history letter as the terminology in the old shipping documents is inconsistent and unreliable. But you may have one of these.

 

[bellportman]

I really have no idea if it's parkerized, it is more dark gray than blue. I'll take it to my local Gun Shop and ask them what they think!
Thanks all!

 

[JP@AK]

I'll take it to my local Gun Shop and ask them what they think!

I would not put too much weight on what the guy at the gun shop says about the finish.

The difference between the Parkerized finish and various other oxide and phosphate finishes is extremely difficult to discern and very few gun shop owners and employees will be able to tell them apart. We see all the time where people refer to any revolver with a dull finish, including most Victory Model revolvers, as Parkerized. They are usually wrong. VERY FEW Victory Models were Parkerized.

 

[mh51]

"Parkerized" has become a generic description for anything with a dull finish that isn't blue, nickel, or stainless. I agree with Jack....your local gun shop won't have a clue.
Either way, it appears to be in excellent condition!