I found what I was looking for , an early Smith and Wesson M&P Victory model ,but I have a question or two...
First off , I was glad to find a 5" barrel as they are not so common as the 4.
I was surprised at the checkered grips ; I have since read that these were used on the early Victories - pre 1942.
I noted that there is no "V"prefix to the serial # ; also a characteristic of the early production , so I read.
The revolver was converted to .38 Special from .38 S&W , fairly common. The proofs on the right side of the barrel offer some info on the conversion ... "3.5 tons" --- pressure tested? There is a .38 special stamp on the left side of the frame , different font , no doubt stamped at the time of conversion , which took place when and where?
The ejector rod and knurled end look sort of blued (all else Parkerized), but again the star #matches the frame & barrel.
I am baffled by the ramp front sight. The serial number of the barrel matches the # on the frame butt , also matching the cylinder and ejector star. This would indicate to me that the piece was not re-barrelled , but the ramp sight was not introduced until sometime later - how do I come to have a ramp on a 5 screw M&P ?
The numbers on the crane and on the frame near the crane match , but are different from the barrel and butt , cylinder and star. The frame at the crane is the same piece of steel as the frame butt ; what do these crane numbers signify?
All in all I am fascinated by this Lend-Lease relic. If anyone can shed light on these questions and help me further understand the history of the well traveled revolver I will be extremely grateful.
'Ski
First off , I was glad to find a 5" barrel as they are not so common as the 4.
I was surprised at the checkered grips ; I have since read that these were used on the early Victories - pre 1942.
I noted that there is no "V"prefix to the serial # ; also a characteristic of the early production , so I read.
The revolver was converted to .38 Special from .38 S&W , fairly common. The proofs on the right side of the barrel offer some info on the conversion ... "3.5 tons" --- pressure tested? There is a .38 special stamp on the left side of the frame , different font , no doubt stamped at the time of conversion , which took place when and where?
The ejector rod and knurled end look sort of blued (all else Parkerized), but again the star #matches the frame & barrel.
I am baffled by the ramp front sight. The serial number of the barrel matches the # on the frame butt , also matching the cylinder and ejector star. This would indicate to me that the piece was not re-barrelled , but the ramp sight was not introduced until sometime later - how do I come to have a ramp on a 5 screw M&P ?
The numbers on the crane and on the frame near the crane match , but are different from the barrel and butt , cylinder and star. The frame at the crane is the same piece of steel as the frame butt ; what do these crane numbers signify?
All in all I am fascinated by this Lend-Lease relic. If anyone can shed light on these questions and help me further understand the history of the well traveled revolver I will be extremely grateful.
'Ski
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