Navy Dan Posted March 29, 2017 Share #1 Posted March 29, 2017 Hello everyone, I just picked this up and wanted to share and ask for opinions and maybe a date on this pistol ? serial number 982xxx on butt electric pencil on frame 7243 frame stamped 25353 L crane 25353 cylinder matches butt grips un marked frame marked L other side marked F5 ,G,DS, E5 It came with the lanyard ( don't think its real rope is nylon ) clip is stamped USA 18 Holster is a USN boyt 43 with rigger ammo belt. ( dont think it was with the gun originally ) Thanks Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Dan Posted March 29, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted March 29, 2017 more pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted March 30, 2017 Share #3 Posted March 30, 2017 Navy Dan: Is the serial number 982250? If so, I can give you the following info. If not, please PM me with the complete serial number. Your pre-Victory was likely shipped from the factory in the May, 1942 time frame. It most likely would letter as having shipped to a DSC authorized destination or to the US Maritime Commission. In this instance only a factory letter will be able to give you the precise destination with certainty. The stocks are replacements. The electro-pencil marking can be anything from a rack or inventory number to a police evidence number. During WW2 the military generally did not employ electro-pencil markings on small arms. Such numbers are often seen in post-war applications with Civil Defense guns being frequent targets of the electro-pencil. The crane and frame numbers are assembly numbers that are of little significance unless they are not matching. The grip frame numbers are those of assemblers and inspectors and are of no significance either. The holster is genuine although the ammo slide has been added to it. The lanyard is not WW2 USGI. Don't know where that came from. I hope that information is helpful to you. Regards, Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dagda Posted March 30, 2017 Share #4 Posted March 30, 2017 Nice old S&W! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Dan Posted March 30, 2017 Author Share #5 Posted March 30, 2017 Thanks Charlie, I have been reading on the forum and the internet and just wanted to confirm what I have learned. I know the piece was in police custody at one point in its life and I think the holster was added for a display. The ammo slide is made of what feels like sail canvas and looks like it has been with the holster awhile. The lanyard and swivel I thought was bad. Am i right in thinking that this one has not had the hammer safety done because there is no S stamped on the frame ? Thanks Dagda ! Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted March 30, 2017 Share #6 Posted March 30, 2017 Am i right in thinking that this one has not had the hammer safety done because there is no S stamped on the frame ? Hi Dan: Yes, correct. The two groups of guns that got the safety hammer block were those military guns that underwent rebuild at the S&W factory and were so marked with the S serial prefix to indicate the modification, and those that had it installed when newly manufactured after about January 1945. Those latter guns would have an SV serial prefix. Since your example was likely not military issue it would not have gone through the Navy's mid-1945 S&W factory rebuild program. Again, is the serial number on your revolver 982250? HTH. Regards, Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Dan Posted March 31, 2017 Author Share #7 Posted March 31, 2017 Hi Charlie, Sorry, Yes the serial number is 982250. Is there a book out specifically about the Victory model ? I'm becoming a fan of these pistols . Thanks Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Flick Posted March 31, 2017 Share #8 Posted March 31, 2017 Is there a book out specifically about the Victory model ? Hi Dan: There is no single book out specifically on the S&W Victory Model, but Charlie Pate's excellent work, U.S. Handguns of WWII, covers the Victory Model in great detail. No other published reference comes even close. Highly recommended. Regards, Charlie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navy Dan Posted April 1, 2017 Author Share #9 Posted April 1, 2017 Thanks Charlie, The help and info i will add the book to my library ! Regards Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northcoastaero Posted April 1, 2017 Share #10 Posted April 1, 2017 The book titled: Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica has some basic information on the<br />Victory Model revolvers. Hope this helps.<br /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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