Serial number 771578 - clearly marked on cylinder, base of barrel and the base of the butt. .38"Calibre, barrel length 5".
On the barrel is engraved 38 S&W. CTG, on the other side "Smith & Wesson" and along the top "Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass, USA, Patented Feb 6.06.Sept.14.09.Dec.29.14." There is a slightly faded trademark stamp on the frame and " Made in the USA". Various British proof marks on the frame, cylinder and barrel supporting that this was a Lend Lease Revolver. Under the forcing cone is the number 5055. The revolver has a lanyard loop on the butt and cross hatched walnut grip.
The S&W M&P military revolvers produced from 1942 to 1944 had serial numbers with a "V" prefix, and were known as the Smith & Wesson Victory Model. Early Victory Models did not always have the V prefix. During World War II 590,305 of these revolvers were supplied to the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa under the Lend-Lease program, chambered in the British .38/200 caliber already in use in the Enfield No 2 Mk I Revolver and the Webley Mk IV Revolver. Most Victory Models sent to Britain were fitted with 4-inch or 5-inch barrels. The 5-inch barrel was standard production after 4 April 1942. The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) supplied thousands of these revolvers to resistance forces. The finish on Victory Models was typically a sandblasted and parkerized finish. Other distinguishing features of the Victory Model revolver are the lanyard loop at the bottom of the grip frame, and the use of smooth (rather than checkered) walnut grip panels. However, some early models did use a checkered grip, most notably the pre-1942 manufacture.
Smith & Wesson used overlapping serial number ranges until the 1950’s and 1960’s, when serial numbers started to include letters. It wasn’t until the 1980’s that serial numbers became unique across the entire company.
*Condition*
Clear markings, good condition. A fantastic collectors item. Please see photographs as part of the condition report. Deactivation certificate included.
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