What 38 do I have

[usmcchet9296]

I have found thru researching the Smith and Wesson Victory model that it came in both 38 special and 38 S&W
how can I tell what mine is
its SN is 507876
it was used by the Austrian police
it was manufactured between 42 and 43
here are some pictures

[gunboat]

Simpilist way I know is to try to chamber a 38S&W - If if fits it is 38S&W - If the 38S&W is too large to chamber it is a 38spl -- Usually the barrel is marked - 38 S&W or 38 spl - European use would favor it being 38 S&W as that cartridge is generally the same as the Brit 380 --

[Tarn_Helm]

+1

I have found thru researching the Smith and Wesson Victory model that it came in both 38 special and 38 S&W
how can I tell what mine is
its SN is 507876
it was used by the Austrian police
it was manufactured between 42 and 43
here are some pictures . . .
. . .

The picture above says, in German, "Austrian Police."

I hope that helps.


Try clicking this if you cannot find the answer you are looking for.

[ojisan]

Looks like a early Lend-Lease era gun.
Forerunner of the Victory models.
Lots were chambered in the 38/200 British round.
Some were chambered in .38 special for US use.
.38/200 is slightly fatter and a bit shorter than .38 special.
Barrel bore ID of .38/200 will be .360" dia. .38 special is .357-8"
.38 Special Smiths were issued to German and Austrian police by the US after WW2.
Some 38/200 were rechambered to .38 special, there will be two "steps" (diameters) visible in the chambers if so.
Do not use elephant loads or +P in any of these guns, early steels were much softer than current ones.

[Spiggy]

does it have a V stamp? No V mark and it's either pre-war or post-war

Does it have US PROPERTY marks? US PROPERTY marks generally mean lend-lease

Note the barrel length, most .38S&W variations came in 5in

Also, did you know you can write a letter to S&W and request a history on your revolver? it's well worth the $25 if it's from family

Here's mine, i haven't seen it in a while because it floated under my desk

[ojisan]

Here's a Lend Lease 380/200 that was one of many returned to the US after WW2 ended. Lots of these were sold to surplus houses and distributors, who often recut the chambers to accept the .38 Special, as this one has. The lanyard loop was removed and the hole plugged. This particular one had the barrel cut down and sight remounted, along with a quick blue job. Fake stag grips were all the rage and cheap back then. I mention this due to the serial # on the OPs gun not having any prefix, suffix or V, and has the lanyard loop like a Victory. This caused some problems for me figuring out what the gun was as it is not on the usual S&W charts. Note also the pinned barrel but no recessed chambers.

[MikeH1]

does it have a V stamp? No V mark and it's either pre-war or post-war

Does it have US PROPERTY marks? US PROPERTY marks generally mean lend-lease

Note the barrel length, most .38S&W variations came in 5in

Also, did you know you can write a letter to S&W and request a history on your revolver? it's well worth the $25 if it's from family

Here's mine, i haven't seen it in a while because it floated under my desk

S&W letters are now $50, still a good deal, especially for that gun

[Spiggy]

yikes really?

glad I got the paper with my gun!

[EBR Works]

I have this pistol that my father acquired in the early 60's. The barrel has been chopped by a prior owner and it's still chambered in 38 S&W. The only weapon that I own that I have never fired.

[usmcchet9296]

Its a 38 S&W
I checked it out when I DROS'd it
I would have prefered a .38 special but this will do
maybe later on Ill try to get my hands on a Navy model in .38 special

[ojisan]

Its a 38 S&W
I checked it out when I DROS'd it
I would have prefered a .38 special but this will do
maybe later on Ill try to get my hands on a Navy model in .38 special

OK, now that's interesting. .38 Special as a "Navy" version? My Dad was in Naval Aviation, WW2 & Korea. He carried this gun in a shoulder rig with spare cartridge loops. Most of the rounds he carried then were government issued .38 Special tracers to use for a rescue signal if downed in the ocean. So are the .38 Special chambered guns called Navys because they could shoot the standard US issued tracer round? I know he purchased the gun near a Navy base somewhere in Florida.

[Saigon1965]

Oji and Impacto - You guys might be related -

[ojisan]

Oji and Impacto - You guys might be related -

That would be creepy.

[EBR Works]

We should breed our S&Ws, maybe we'll get a litter of stainless pistols.

[ojisan]

We should breed our S&Ws, maybe we'll get a litter of stainless pistols.

NOBODY knows what happens inside gun safes when the lights are off and the door is locked closed.