S&W Model 10 Victory?

[415yeti]

I recently inherited a bunch of guns and this one was included. I originally thought it was a S&W Police Special, but the serial no is V18xxx. According to the few databases I found, this is a 1942-44 issue?

Numbers all match and it came with old police issue ammo pouches full of what appear to be period correct .38 rounds.

Anyone know more about these?

[bruceflinch]

If it was a Victory model it would have a US Property Stamp.
Nice looking wheelgun, BTW.

[415yeti]

The seial begins with V, but there are no US Property stamps. From what I gather from various sites, not all were stamped?

[TRAP55]

http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/victory_model_smith_and_wesson.htm

[Milsurp Collector]

As mentioned in the link above, Victory revolvers that were not marked US Property were probably used by guards at factories making war materiel.



Most Victory revolvers used by the US military were marked "US PROPERTY G.H.D.", G.H.D. for Brig. Gen Guy H. Drewry, including those used by USN and USMC aviators who carried them in rigs like this.



Victory revolvers marked "U.S. NAVY" are less common.



Victory revolvers were used by aviators through the Vietnam War.

On my first carrier cruise to Vietnam (1965), I carried a beatup issue .38sp S&W Victory Model. Before each flight, I'd pull a tacky shoulder holster containing the revolver from a locker in the ready room. After the flight, I'd dump the rig back into that locker. So far as I know, no one ever did anything to them until the cruise was over.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/83056-aircrew-pistols-viet-nam.html#post969133

George H. W. Bush carried one during World War II.



After he was shot down he was rescued by a submarine. He gave his Victory revolver to one of the submarine's officers in gratitude. In the 1980's the submarine officer realized who gave him the revolver and in 2007 the officer's family returned it to Bush.

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/19873440/#.UlrJ3lNRink

[SVT-40]

Does your revolver have the hole in the bottom of the butt for the lanyard loop? If not it's probably not a "Victory" model.....

[gun toting monkeyboy]

The serial number starts with a V. It is a Victory model. That is what defines the Victory model. There were a lot of variations during the war. Different barrel lengths, different markings. The absence of the lanyard ring or the hole where it attaches doesn't mean it isn't a Victory model.

OP: They are good revolvers. They are the (then) updated version of the M&P revolver line Smith and Wesson had been making and improving since the begining of the 20th century. After WWII, they made a few more minor changes, and it became the S&W Model 10. While these are good, solid revolvers, you should remember that they were made with pre-WWII metals and heat treatments. With proper care, it will get handed down to your kids someday. However, the metal and heat treatment are NOT up to a steady diet of +P ammunition. I would stick to standard pressure loads. If you get the urge to use it for home defense, look at some of the Hornady standard pressure Critical Defense loads. They are loaded for these older revolvers, and still offer decent performance.

-Mb

[415yeti]

Thanks all. It'll be a Sunday shooter with light loads and a cozy spot in the safe.