Smith & Wesson .38 S&W CTG
 Victory 38/200 British Service Revolver
"United States Property"
Date Shipped: May, 1943
S/N V315691
The Victory model was so named for the "V" prefix which was placed before the serial number and represented "Victory" against the Axis powers in World War II. The revolver shown here was manufactured in early 1943 (May) and accepts the .38 S&W cartridge. The acceptance mark of Ordnance officer Guy H. Drewry was on the left top strap from about V300000 to end of production, prior to the period of July 1942 to about May 1943 it was found on the butt. The property mark was shortened to "U.S. Property" at about serial number V300000 to make room for the acceptance mark that was relocated. Just to the left of the property mark is a ordnance bomb mark. There were over 571,629 of these models produced between October 1941 and May 1945 for the British Common wealth countries. All stamps and markings other then the two on the grip bottoms are identical to the V404631 also documented on this site. There are no British proof marks on this revolver. The finish on this gun is original and is what is referred to as Sandblast "Black Magic"  parkerized.

This revolver was shipped on May 10th, 1943 and delivered to the Hartford Ordnance Depot, 95 State St., Springfield MA, the local processing center for the lend lease contract revolvers being delivered to the allied forces. They were then shipped to Britain for final distribution.

Left Profile
Right Profile
S&W Letter regarding
this revolver - PG 1

S&W Letter regarding
this revolver - PG 2
Ordnance mark, U.S. property mark and Guy H. Drewry acceptance mark
Right Angle

Cylinder serial number
Grip with T and L stamping
"P" proof mark on top of image

Cylinder latch/release
Color Case Hardened Trigger
S&W legend
 
Yoke and frame recess serial numbers
and cylinder rod.
Color Case Hardened Hammer
 
  • GHD is the U.S. military inspection mark of Guy H. Drewry. Found on top straps from V300000 to end of production, prior on butt from 7/42 until moved in 1943.
  • T and L stamped on bottom of the grips. I have seen T marks like this on British WWII manufactured revolvers.
  • "U.S. Property" started on top strap at about V300000 (May 1943), prior to that it was "United States Property".
  • This revolver has a 5 inch barrel. (5 inch was standard after April 1942)
  • Serial numbers are correct and matching. These are located on Inside right grip, frame butt, Cylinder, extractor star, and bottom of barrel. Crane and crane recess are also serial numbered to each other, but this is a different number then the revolvers serial number as is standard on most manufacturers revolvers.
  • P proof mark located forward on the bottom frame butt (bottom of grip strap).
  • From the T. Moore collection

Click on images for larger image
 Return to Main Revolver Page

All revolvers on the page are from the Moore collection