WW II 38 Special

[NRAFORLIFE]

I just got my hands on my father in laws old service revolver. It is pretty well holster worn, looks parkarized not blue. The serial number under the landard is 259876. There are NO government marksings anywhere BUT this was his duty piece while with the Marines in the Pacific.

Any ideas on where I can get information on this besides S&W?

 

[NRAFORLIFE]

I just got my hands on my father in laws old service revolver. It is pretty well holster worn, looks parkarized not blue. The serial number under the landard is 259876. There are NO government marksings anywhere BUT this was his duty piece while with the Marines in the Pacific.

Any ideas on where I can get information on this besides S&W?

 

[smith17]

Is there a prefix of 'V'?

 

[Kamerer]

like Smith17 said, if it was made during the war, it should have a "V" before the numbers - several spaces away, not immediately in front of the first one. If it has a lanyard ring that is a strong sign it was a "V" model/serial run.

 

[NRAFORLIFE]

Yes it does have a V but no government issue markings.

 

[LWCmdr45]

It may interest you to know that your SN V259876 was, based on the information in the database maintained by my friend Charlie (ordnanceguy) and me, shipped from the S&W factory circa March of 1943. I presume it's a 4" barreled version in caliber .38 S&W Special? If you examine it closely, you may find an Ordnance Dept. "flaming bomb" marking on the butt. If the stocks are the original smooth type with which it left the factory, you'll see the SN marked on the inside of the right panel of ths stocks.

Steve

 

[PZ93C]

Unmarked Navy revolvers exist in the wild.

It could very well letter shipped to the Navy in Oakland CA.

 

[walnutred]

Based on the old stories there was a lot of swapping of firearms going on in the Islands. My dad mentioned swapping severial before he came up with a combination that he felt fit his needs.

 

[NRAFORLIFE]

If you examine it closely, you may find an Ordnance Dept. "flaming bomb" marking on the butt. If the stocks are the original smooth type with which it left the factory, you'll see the SN marked on the inside of the right panel of ths stocks.

No "Flaming Bomb" but the SN checks out. Thanks

 

[p51f4f]

just aquired model 10 V 38 need info

I just aquired a V model 38 special SN# 990995 looking for MFG and any other info I can find. Has correct SN# on ejector, but and barrel. also has United States property
but has a different # when you move the cylinder out to load which is 40124 with a big 8 or 3 above it. Grips are correct with 995 stamped and to other stamps I cannot make out.
Also there is no S for the improve safety and stamped 38 special on the side. It appears to be a 5 inch barrel and the lanyard rig is round and not typical of others I have seen.

 

[JP@AK]

Something is very goofy here. First, the V serial numbers did not go that high. By the time they got to 990xxx, they were all S prefix guns and these were shipping in the Spring of 1948.
Moreover, the swivel on your gun is not correct for a Victory Model (you did note this difference in your post).
Given the other markings on the gun, this could be a so-called "pre-Victory" and that would put it in an entirely different numbering sequence. But it would not have a V prefix under those circumstances. I see something under the swivel on your first photo, but I cannot tell what it is. Perhaps you can post another picture with the swivel flopped over the other way so we can see what is there. While you are at it, please post a photo showing the whole of the gun's right side.
Also, what is that on the frame, below the thumb piece? That picture is far off and blurry, but something seems to be stamped there.