Question about an old gun

[Yellow Dog]

Hi, I'm new to the board, this is my first post.
A neighbor gave me a 38 Special quite a few years ago and I was hoping I could get some information about it. The gun has 38 Special CTG stamped on the barrel. The newest pat. is 2/29/14. Also has US PROPERTY GHD on the frame. The Serial #998798. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[David LaPell]

It sounds as though it is a Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change. The serial numbers put it around the end of the 1942 run. Are there are prefixes in front of the serial number like V or SV because with military markings it sounds like it could be a Victory. What is the barrel length? Can you get us any pictures?

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

You have a .38 Military & Police Model 1905, 4th Change, probably shipped in 1942. After serial number 1000000, the numbering system changed to a "V" prefix and the nickname was the Victory model.

It was built for the US Gov't.

 

[Yellow Dog]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow.

 

[twoeighty]

need help with d.o.b----38 s&w spl ser # 60xxxx 6 inch fixed sight--last patent dec. 29'14

thanks--280

 

[DCWilson]

Twoeighty, that's another M&P Model of 1905 Fourth change, but the serial number points to 1929.

 

[opoefc]

998798 is a late Pre-Victory, aka Model of 1905, 4th change. If the US Property Stamp is on the top strap, the gun may be a Lend Lease gun sent to our Allies. Most of those were in caliber .38/200 ( .38 S&W) not .38 Special. GHD is the initials of Guy H. Drewry, the US Ordnance Inspector of the gun. Many of the .38/200 caliber guns were later converted to .38 Specials , by gun dealers, for sale in the US, and the barrels were stamped .38 Spl. If the cylinder in your gun will chamber both cartridges, then the gun has been converted. Ed

 

[Yellow Dog]

Here are a few pictures Thanks again!

 

[opoefc]

That appears to be an original .38 Special Pre-Victory with the correct 4 inch barrel. Interesting that it has the US Property stamping, although it doesn't show in the two photos. Most guns with that stamping were shipped to the Allies. Close serial numbers in my data base all went to various US war plants as civilian guard guns, or to US Police Dep'ts and had no markings. Ed.

 

[Yellow Dog]

I took a picture of the US Property GHD that was on the frame above the cylinder, but it didn't come out.

That appears to be an original .38 Special Pre-Victory with the correct 4 inch barrel. Interesting that it has the US Property stamping, although it doesn't show in the two photos. Most guns with that stamping were shipped to the Allies. Close serial numbers in my data base all went to various US war plants as civilian guard guns, or to US Police Dep'ts and had no markings. Ed.

 

[Waidmann]

I'm head scratching. Would not an early Victory and prior be WB on the butt and GHD begin around V300000, re: Pate p. 135.

Wonder if this one was recalled from the Maritime Commission of was a DSC recycle.

S modified?

 

[Yellow Dog]

I had the camera out today and took some more pictures of my gun. On the third picture there is a P stamped on the frame. Any idea what that stands for?

 

[Scary Gary]

Nice neighbor!

 

[Snakeshift]

That Victory looks almost like it rolled out of S&W last week. Cherish it!

 

[BUFF]

The P is a U.S. military proof, inspection or acceptance mark.

Nice Victory!

 

[toddimusnimski]

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood
A beautiful day for a neighbor
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?

We've never even gotten a plate of cookies from our neighbors...Let me know if the place on his other side ever goes up for sale.