new member that really would appreciate any help at all

[bassanova]

I recently became the owner of a s&w 2" barrel revolver but the barrel doesnt say S&w or the caliber or anything, It does have the S&W logo on the side of the gun but it is really faded. I was told it was a 38 but I dont know if it is 38 special or 38sw. There are three Sereial #'s on the gun that all match. One is on the butt,the other is under the barrel ,and the last one is on the cylinder. the serial # starts with V483xxx.Where a Smith usually tells the model# it has an S followed with 93642. gun is 5 screw much like the one here with pictures except it onlt say's made in america not the rest. What does this mean is this a true S&W or what. Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks in advance,Bill

 

[opoefc]

The serial number beginning with a V was used for the WW2 Victory Model production. It could be either .38 Special caliber or .3S&W caliber. The 2 in.barrel has been cut from either an original 4 or 5 in. barrel, depending on which caliber, as used in the Victory Models. The gun is a Model 1905, 4th change, Military & Police model, made long before S&W changed their model numbers and stamped the model on the frame in the crane area. The 93462 number is an assembly number and has no relationship to the serial number or when the gun was made. Victory models with close serial numbrs to yours were shipped in Dec. 1943.

 

[bassanova]

Sir I really appreciate your knowledge. How would I find out what caliber this gun may be, Thanks Bill

 

[opoefc]

Easiest way is to try the two different cartridges and see if what fit's the chambers of the cylinder. If you don't have access to any ammo. to try, take the gun to any gun store and ask the clerk or gunsmith to tell you the caliber. After WW2 many of the Victory Models that were sent to the British during WW2 were reimported to the US by gun dealers. These guns were originally in .38 S&W caliber, however since that cartridge ws not popular in the US, the dealers converted these guns to shoot the more readily available in the US, the .38 Special cartridge, by reaming out the cylinder chambers to take the longer cartridge cases of the .38 Special round. If your gun's cylinder chambers are smooth all the way through, it might be one of the converted guns. however it would also be smooth if it is an original .38 Special caliber gun. If you can see a small ring or ridge about 2/3rds of the way down the chambers, then it's in .38 S&W caliber. Ed.

 

[bassanova]

I can see a ridge so it must be 38sw. You have been extremely helpfull thanks alot and I hope to speak with again sometime. I think I will post some pictures because its a beautiful gun, Thanks again,Bill

 

[murphydog]

I don't have anything to add to Ed's comments, but few people do

Here are photo posting instructions, just look for the Posting video and photos link on the first page after registering and logging in:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-forum-office/78728-posting-photos-forum-new-format.html

 

[Muley Gil]

Is the end of your ejector rod locked into a lug under the barrel or is it unsecured? Is the front sight a small ramp?

 

[bassanova]

Its unsecured. Excuse my ignorance but what is the significance whether its secure or not.Bill

 

[Muley Gil]

It indicates that the barrel was originally longer than 2".

As other posters have stated, many of the .38 S&W WW II revolvers were cut-down from 5". Some were cut in front of the lug; others were cut behind the lug and had small ramp front sights attached, to make a "poorman's snubbie".

 

[bassanova]

Pics of my newly aquired S & W Victory

 

[bassanova]

Pics of my victory

Thanks for the info . I just posted a couple pics of my revolver. Thanks again and I will welcome any info on this maidel of pistol. I'm new to this site and very eager to learn. I currently own three S&W pistols as well as other brands and just love to learn about all types of guns. I'm so glad that I found this site and like minded people that are so informative. Thanks again,Bill

 

[Dan M]

Bassanova,

I combined your pictures for you. You can post many pictures in one post. That way we can get the overall story on the same gun.

Dan

 

[bassanova]

tell me how to combine all my pics

 

[model70hunter]

Welcome Bill. Sounds like you have acquired a unique Smith. Digging into it's history sounds rewarding.

 

[opoefc]

Dan, Please move these pics to Bassanovas first post about his gun and then our readers can see the whole story. Thanks, Ed.

 

[bassanova]

im excited

Thanks model70hunter, I'm really excited about my find. I have posted some pics if you want to see it. I realize the barrel may have been altered but I still like this gun. it will be like the rest of the ones I own. I will hold on to it because there are many like mine but this one is mine.LOL thanks Bill