history and info of .38 s and w victory model

Question
i have recently aquired a smith and wesson .38 special revolver ctg. it has a five inch barrel. is single and double action. permanent sights. on the top of the barrel it says "smith and wesson springfield, mass.u.s.a.- patentd feb.6.06- sept.14.09 - dec.29.14. on the right hand side of the barrel it says "38 s. & w.ctg.. in between the chamber and the grip is the s and w trade mark stamp. on the sight rail it says united states property. chamber rotates counter clockwise. serial numbers all match (v180964. has a metal loop on underside of handle. six round ejection pin. i hope thats enough info for a ballpark answer. thank you alot. its very appreciated. zach

Answer
Hello Zach. I do appreciate the lengths you went to to describe your revolver to me. In your subject line you call it a 'Victory' model. In your description you state that on the barrel it reads '38 S&W ctg..'.On top of the barrel you describe the stamping as 'Smith and Wesson Springfield,Mass.U.S.A.-patentd Feb.6.06-Sept.14.09-Dec.29.14.'on the sight rail is stamped 'United States Property'. The metal loop on the grip was used extensively, not only for the U.S.Government, but also for Law Enforcement and Pinkerton agents. First I am going to tell you what I feel it is not. The Smith&Wesson 'VICTORY' model was only manufactured from 1942-1944. If your revolver is a 'Victory' model in .38 S&W ctg., it would have been manufactured as part of a 'lend-lease' agreement to arm Allied Forces. If it were to read '.38 S&W Spl.ctg.' it would have been issued for U.S.Government Military use only. In either case, it would have hall marks or stampings to show military issue. Post WWII Victory models,went through the Defense Supply Commission, and had no U.S. markings as they were sold to the public. Therefore, with the information provided, I must rule out the 'VICTORY' model.
Now,Zach, I will tell you what I 'think' it is. According to your description, Fjestad's Blue Book of Gun Values, as well as an extensive Internet search,I say it is the .38 MILITARY & POLICE MODEL OF 1905-3RD CHANGE, described as .38 S&W Special cal.,6 shot fluted cylinder,4,5,or 6 in. barrel with blue or nickel finish,"S&W" monogram checkered hard rubber(round butt)or checkered walnut(square butt)grips. There were 94,803 manufactured from 1909-1915. Serial range 146,900-241,703. Your SN falls in this group. If you could send a photo, I could tell you exactly what model it is.I am still looking for the 'v' prefix of your SN. If I find it, I will do a follow-up with you. I hope this has helped in some small way and thank you for asking for me. Charles Gage