model victory help please.

[mg357]

Dear s&w forum, over the weekend i attended a gunshow and i bought a s&w model victory revolver and i'm looking to find out when it was made and where it might have served its country. On the right side of the barrel are the words SMITH & WESSON. On the left side of the barrel the marks are 38 s.&w. SPECIAL CTG on the left side of the frame is a quarter size s&w logo and the words MADE IN U.S.A. on the butt the serial number is V618699. Lastly on top of the barrel behind the front sight are the words SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A. PATENTED FEB.6.08. SEPT.14.09 DEC.29.14 also the lanyard ring is missing. any and all help with this would be greatly appreciate sincerely and respectfully mg357 a proud member of the s&w forum. p.s. there are no military markings on the gun and it has a 4 inch barrel.

 

[thadheth]

All the Victory models were produced between 1942 and 1945. The highest number according to the SCSW is 811119, which might put yours around 1944. Perhaps another forum member has a lettered example that will more precisely identify the year of yours.

 

[SWKilroy]

Hi, with that serial number the revolver should date to the Spring-early Summer 1944.

Cheers.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Hello mg357:

From the Victory Model Database, maintained by my pal LWCmdr45 and me, I can estimate for you that your Victory was likely shipped from the factory in the July, 1944 time frame.

Are there markings of any sort, other than the serial number, on the butt?