U.S. Property Surplus Revolver ID

[ramblin84]

My first post on the S&W forum. Would like to know more about this revolver I got from my dad. I attempted to trace the pedigree a few months back and came up with it being issued to the USMC during Korea but I'm not sure I got it right. Pretty sure the grips are not original and it hasn't been taken care of. One area of pitting and scratches on LH side. Last 3 digits of SN have been obscured. Thanks for any info.

 

[Absalom]

One detail question for clarification since the photo is a bit out of focus: Is the serial number on the butt defaced on the gun, or did you manipulate the picture? If it's on the gun, that's a problem.

 

[DCWilson]

[Original erroneous comments deleted based on subsequent posts.]

I now understand the serial number is C268xxx. I have seen a reference to a 38 M&P with the US Property marking and nearby serial number. It was shipped in late 1953.

The stocks may be original to that gun. If you take them off , you should see a stamped number on the right panel that matches the serial number, but without the "C."

And welcome to the forum. I should have said that first.

 

[jonny13sb]

Looks like the photo has been purposely manipulated, the rest of the serial number is actually a photo overlay of the grip/frame area in the same photo.

 

[murphydog]

Welcome also! This appears to be a military contract postwar .38 Military & Police. There are nearby serial numbered revolvers documented to have shipped to the USMC, but a factory letter would be the only way to verify this. As you noted, the stocks are later replacements. It was called a "Victory Officer's Model" in at least one official publication (see reference in post 1 of this search):

http://smith-wessonforum.com/search...D:10&ie=UTF-8&q=Victory+Officer's+model&sa=Go

And here is the link to ordering a letter; expect a 4-6 month delay.

Firearm History Request - Smith & Wesson

Other military collector types should be along shortly to comment. Hope this is helpful.

 

[Watchdog]

Well, I can see a partial view of the serial number on the underside flat of the barrel. So if the OP will post that number, that ought to go a long way in answering his questions. Shouldn't be any big secret about the number on a gun that old.

 

[ramblin84]

One detail question for clarification since the photo is a bit out of focus: Is the serial number on the butt defaced on the gun, or did you manipulate the picture? If it's on the gun, that's a problem.

The SN has been modifed in the photos. It's in perfect shape on the firearm.

 

[ramblin84]

Well, I can see a partial view of the serial number on the underside flat of the barrel. So if the OP will post that number, that ought to go a long way in answering his questions. Shouldn't be any big secret about the number on a gun that old.

Sure... the SN is 268596.

 

[ramblin84]

Regarding the original grips, if someone could share a photo & description of what they likely were, that would be appreciated.

 

[ramblin84]

Welcome also! This appears to be a military contract postwar .38 Military & Police. There are nearby serial numbered revolvers documented to have shipped to the USMC, but a factory letter would be the only way to verify this. As you noted, the stocks are later replacements. It was called a "Victory Officer's Model" in at least one official publication (see reference in post 1 of this search):

http://smith-wessonforum.com/search...D:10&ie=UTF-8&q=Victory+Officer's+model&sa=Go

And here is the link to ordering a letter; expect a 4-6 month delay.

Firearm History Request - Smith & Wesson

Other military collector types should be along shortly to comment. Hope this is helpful.

Many thanks!

 

[Jaymo]

All I know is I'd shoot the piss out of it and enjoy it.

 

[murphydog]

Regarding the original grips, if someone could share a photo & description of what they likely were, that would be appreciated.

If you click on the search result link and look at the first post, the similar revolver to yours pictured there has the correct stocks - they look very similar to the ones on it now, but has an uncheckered diamond around the stock screw and flat bottoms.

 

[ramblin84]

One question I forgot to pose: is this revolver OK to shoot +P or should i stick with standard loads only?

 

[Absalom]

One question I forgot to pose: is this revolver OK to shoot +P or should i stick with standard loads only?

Yes, +P loads would be perfectly fine to shoot, but as I always point out when this question is asked about older guns, unless there is a compelling need, I wouldn't.

 

[ramblin84]

Good advice, thx.

 

[kwill1911]

Neat gun. Shipped in 1953/4 to the USMC, either Camp Lejeune or Barstow, CA. You'll have to get a letter to know specifics. Thanks for posting.

 

[Absalom]

I wonder who back then saw a necessity to put the quotation marks around the "U.S. Property".

Leads me to believe that in the 1950s quotations marks were not yet commonly used to express doubt about the authenticity or appropriateness of a term (as in: She had a "headache" ).

 

[kwill1911]

The M1917s were the same way. I think someone read the PO, saw the quotation marks and took it literally.

 

[Watchdog]

That's a neat old gun. Wouldn't mind having it, especially if it was shown to have shipped to Camp Lejeune.

 

[ramblin84]

The question I'm considering, is it worth $50 and waiting 5 months to find out from S&W? It looks like earlier posts verify that it was shipped to the Corps which confirms my initial info.