Learn how your comment data is processed. Add to cart. and issued production contracts directly to Smith & Wesson. By signing up you agree to Guns.com's The M15 itself is a good, proven design that Smith & Wesson originally introduced in 1949 as the K-38 Combat Masterpiece. revolvers for stateside Navy and Coast Guard personnel. Here we present a C&R Smith & Wesson .38 Double Action Safety Hammerless Revolver, made circa 1902 through 1909 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Smith & Wesson M&P 340. They later evolved into the "hammerless" Centennial which actually still has a hidden, internal hammer and the Bodyguard line which has the same profile as the Chief's Special but incorporates a shroud over the sides hammer. Smith & Wesson U.S. Navy .38 Spl. document Project Supporting Paper; Miscellaneous Pistols and Revolvers: In addition to the M1917 revolvers sizeable numbers of various other revolvers and pistols were procured by Ordnance. Victory Model. Near excellent condition with small spot of wear on the sideplate. Often the exact model is not mentioned, but, based on the numbers made and wide issuance, the odds are that most were the S&W .38 Spl. Manufacturer model #: 103039. By mid-1944, the Navy reversed its original policy and began to issue M1911A1 .45 pistols to some non-combatant personnel, such as guards aboard merchant vessels so that the .38 revolvers they would ordinarily be armed with could be available to flight crews. This weapon was almost identical to the U.S. Navys Caliber .38 Special Revolver except for caliber and barrel length. Smith & Wesson J-Frame revolvers have had your back since 1950. However, the Model 64 by Smith & Wesson may be the greatest incarnation of the .38 caliber police revolver. Arriving on the scene in the mid-1980s, the carbon steel Model 586 and stainless steel Model 686 took the previous L-frame designs and improved upon them, with the biggest change being to added adjustable sights and expanded barrel length options. After the war, thousands of the revolvers remained in the U.S. Army inventory as a regularly stocked item, but again, not for general U.S. issue. jacketed bullet. Spend your time enjoying the gun you want, not getting frustrated with a complex website that makes gun buying hard. Smith & Wesson 640 - .38 Spl. Original examples of these revolvers are quite uncommon today. Please try a new zip code and search again. It was one of the first revolvers with a cylinder that swung out when a latch . jacketed bullets, was made by Remington for issue with Victory Model revolvers. Omaha Outdoors stocks Smith and Wesson revolvers in every model, from the smallest 22LR 43C and 38 Special Bodyguard to the most powerful handgun in the world, the S&W 500. Smith & Wesson Model 642 38 Special Revolver with Crimson Trace Lasergrip $769.00; After rebate: $719.00; Notify Me When Available; Brand: Smith & Wesson; Item Number: 163811 Need Help?service@guns.comCall (866)582-4867, PO Box 1131 13800 Nicollet Blvd Burnsville, MN 55337 2023Guns.com. The cartridges had 158-gr. The only martial marking typically applied was a small flaming bomb insignia on the top of the frame. By signing up you agree to Guns.com's Revolver development and sophistication was at a break-neck pace during the last third of the 19th century. So, the U.S. loading was (and still is) a 146- or 148-grain round-nose lead bullet at a nominal 650 fps. Smith & Wesson Model 642 .38 Special Performance Center J-Frame Revolver with Synthetic/Wood Grips $609.00; After rebate: $559.00; In Stock . One group in particular I have to keep as a bragging group: Five shots, 25 yards, over sandbags, all into a one-hole group. All rights reserved. Results of the test showed the Hammer Block to be unsatisfactory. This attention did not slip by other manufacturers. The Luger gets the glory. This revolver remains in a wonderful Smith & Wesson 442-1 PC . But for some reason, buying a gun online can Approximately 65,000 Victory Model revolvers were purchased by the Navy directly from Smith & Wesson. of energy. Excellent Smith & Wesson Model 37 Airweight Chiefs Special Revolver serial #J996491, 38 Special, 1 7/8 barrel with a pristine bore. The origins of the .38 S&W date back to 1877, and since that time, the loadings here in the U.S. had been kept mild in deference to the original black powder revolvers and the later top-break bulldog-type revolvers. You won't be winning any long distance sharpshooting challenges with it, but you will feel safe carrying one. J-frames with a more "snagless" profile lacking an exposed hammer, include the standard steel-framed Model 40 in .38 Special, the stainless Model 640, the alloy-framed Airweight Model 42 and 442, the alloy/stainless Model 642, and the Models 342 and 340 (.357 Mag) which use Scandium alloy frames (with a Titanium cylinder on the 342) and have adjustable rear sights. A SMITH WESSON 38 pistol is currently worth an average price of $514.83 new and $443.91 used . BRE2381. As discussed in Charles W. Pates excellent book, U.S. Handguns of World War IIThe Secondary Pistols And Revolvers: It is not a generally known fact, but the U.S. Army also used these arms (S&W .38-200 revolvers), though on a very limited basis. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators generally carried their Victory Model .38 revolvers in a leather shoulder holster, often with web loops sewn onto the strap to hold extra cartridges. The included factory letter lists this revolver as having a six inch barrel with Patridge front sight, blue finish, and walnut square butt grips when shipped to E.K. Get the 76th edition of the World's Greatest Gun Book. Related products. Smith & Wesson 442 Airweight 38 Special Revolver with Burnt Bronze Finish - $549.99 (Free S/H on Firearms . But this Victory model might well have ridden in a holster across the Pacific, dodging kamikazes, assaulting islands, or riding in aircraft. SIGN IN. The Model 19 lists for about $700 to $1,000, while the Model 29 sells for slightly more, around $1,200. Once the switch to smokeless took hold, the cartridge and groove diameter were matched to the internal diameter of the cartridge case. Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard Revolver - The M&P BODYGUARD 38 delivers the optimal combination of accuracy and simplicity for personal protection needs. GI#: 102229275. This Smith & Wesson advertisement touts its Victory models and promotes the guns for plant defense by guards. K/L - .38 Special and .357 Magnum. But the revolvers association with the OSS was primarily in that organizations role in supplying resistance forces. (Im sure the next time we have a big war, well have the exact same problem.) Save my name and email to use for future comments. Many of these revolvers filtered down to British Commonwealth countries over the years. Many online gun sales actually take away from your local Customer experience was, and still is, the primary focus, a key to the firms longevity and success. The improved Hammer Blocks are vastly superior to the old type, samples tested having withstood 90-foot lbs. Suitable for concealed carry, the Model 642 is lightweight and dependable. The company made its humble start in 1963in Gussago, Italywhen Giuseppe Pietta made a commitment to produce guns as authentic and true-to-original as possible. Over 6 million K-frames have been produced. The K-38 Target Masterpiece was manufactured from 1947 until 1981 with the 8 3/8" barrel being introduced in 1959. We're here to cover the more popular models both in current production and those passed on to the realm of collectors. It is crafted with a stainless steel slide and barrel, aggressively textured polymer grips, and an integrated picatinny rail. The M&P Shield is also available in variants chambered in 40 S&W and 45 ACP. of energy from a 5" barrel. By 1917, it had evolved into the Model 1917, the first revolver chambered in .45 ACP. It was ultimately supplied to every branch of the American armed forces as well as British Commonwealth countries during WWII and continued in . Well, that, and S&W had hit the million-number-mark in serial numbers early in the war, and they had to do something. Smith & Wesson M442 13222 38 1 7/8 DON'T Tread ON ME Revolver. The name of the cartridge was also changed by some of these knock-off producers. Part of the reason for this policy was to mitigate the logistical problems inherent to having handguns chambered for two different cartridges in oversea theaters. The Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless models were produced from 1887 (1888 for the 32) to just before World War II. IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR SMITH & WESSON . 38 S&W SPECIAL $569. This year, H&R announced an expansion of its AR-15 lineup, bringing additional "retro" models to the market, including a 9 mm Luger-chambered Colt SMG clone, an M16A2-styled rifle and the carbine-size 723. Made to withstand heavy use, the frame, cylinder, and barrel of this revolver are crafted from stainless steel. Under Navy contracts, no inspector was stationed at the plant, and quality of revolvers suffered as a result. Smith & Wessons M&P EZ Shield is going 9mm with the company announcing a new model in the series centered around the popular handgun cartridge. Chambered in 9mm with a 17+1 capacity, the Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 is an updated version of the original M&P9. Some will have both U.S. and British markings. This is the smallest frame. double-actionbegan nudging the older ones out. Earning its name from its commanding 500 S&W Magnum caliber, this five-shot revolver has been manufactured with 4-, 6.5- and 8.4-inch barrels. There have always been Luger collectors. Early models may have a square butt or a round butt but all later models have round butts. your community AND if they have it in stock, you can pick your gun up Today, S&W has expanded to include a wide range of pistols and rifles but remains a leader in the world of wheelguns. ? Below that, theres the FTR/MA 54. We will notify you when the product arrives back in stock. Best .38 Special Snub-Nose Revolver: Smith and Wesson Bodyguard. Today it's still one of the best you can get. organized, dont tell you a lot about what youre buying, and leave you on your U.S.-purchased guns have US Government Property roll-marked on the topstrap. While it's a phenomenal handgun and loved by many of its owners, it's also prone to a few problems. Product Name Price. Smith & Wesson guns fall into three main frame categories: J - .38 Special and 9 mm. Colt named the cartridge as the .38 Colt New Police; some bastardized the name as the .38 S&W (or Colt) Short; the Brits called it the .380 Revolver and the Belgians called it the 9 mm Revolver. This revolver was designed specifically for the .38 Special cartridge (CTG) and was initially released for sale in 1899. CA Compliant (97) DA/SA (1) Double Action (6) Small (7) Snub Nose (4) 10 (1) 17 (1) 25 (1) 27 (2) The Gun Parlor Inc. is here to serve you and we look forward to helping you find just what you are looking for. The 1911 got IPSC. The hip holsters were used more often by security personnel, but period photos show some flyers with their Victory Model revolvers in hip holsters. They expect the same mild recoil of an old S&W Model 10 out of the alloy-framed 442. They have a V prefix in the serial number. The "Centennial" name for the series comes from the fact that the Model 40 was released on S&W's 100th anniversary as a company. This is a pre-owned Smith & Wesson with the model "511126" on the frame. 731 at Brownells. Rubber grip for superior shock absorption. We get the FFL from your store others make you find it, copy it, and fax it. ), 8 On-Target Concealed Carry Insurance Options (2022), 10 Affordable Double-Barrel Shotgun Options (2022), Best AR-15 Options For Any Budget And Buyers Guide (2022), Best Concealed Carry Handguns For Women (2022). The .38 S&W isnt an obsolete cartridge technically, but it is no longer nearly as common as it once was. The Smith & Wesson 442 Airweight is a J-Frame series revolver featuring compact size and extremely light weight. Regardless of which model you pick, it is hard to make a bad revolver choice when going with a Smith. There was also a limited quantity of .38 Spl. The Japanese tore loose and rushed on. Or not. Show Only Non-Guns. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. The S&W allows for both single and double-action. The S&W 38 comes in stainless steel, scandium alloy, or carbon steel with wood or ergonomic synthetic grips for unrivaled durability and shooting comfort, making these guns ideal for virtually any shooter. While the vast majority of the S&W .38 Spl. How To Know It's A S&W Victory Model: They have a "V" prefix in the serial number. This 640 is in good condition with some minor frame scratches. It continued to be issued to some Navy and Marine Corps aircrews during the Korean and Vietnam wars and beyond. The new cartridge launched that bullet at a lumbering 620 f.p.s. Shop online for top quality .38 Smith & Wesson Centerfire Handgun Ammo for sale! The Model 15 served a long and storied career with the USAF up until the very last ones were recently replaced by the SIG Sauer M18 pistol. F.M. Smith & Wesson Model 642 .38 Special Performance Center J-Frame Revolver with Synthetic/Wood Grips $609.00; After rebate: $559.00; In Stock . This sharp looking revolver retains all of its matt black frame finish save a couple of very minor scu Smith & Wesson 442 Centennial Airweight Revolver .38 Spl. Smith & Wesson ~ Model 14-4 K38 Target Masterpiece ~ .38 S&W Special Ctg. Heck, even if it spent the entire war just guarding supplies, thats honest service, and thats enough to make it collectible. Because the .38 S&W Special was such a much better round than the .38 S&W, it pretty much replaced it. Search by dot size, magnification, finish, price range, and more, or browse by manufacturers like Bushnell, Burris, Vortex, Leupold, Trijicon, and many others. A descendant of the .38 Hand Ejector Military & Police Model of 1899, Smith & Wesson's first swing-out-cylinder revolver to chamber the then-new .38 Special cartridge, the Victory model, was an updated wartime production version introduced in 1942. Smith & Wesson Model 642 Pink Grip .38 S&W Special +P Revolver 549 $50 Mail-In Rebate. We have a Even more impressively, after the events that played out in the 1950s, the respected company started producing more variants of this beloved revolver for law enforcement and civilian personal protection. So, enterprising hacks would pop a .38 Special reamer into the chambers and lengthen them enough to accept .38 Special ammo. As the tried-and-true S&W K-frame was initially introduced in 1899, Smith moved to add some more beef to their medium-sized wheelguns to better handle extended abuse from full-house .357 Magnum loads. Rather, it indicates that the arms were inspected by Ordnance personnel operating under Col. Drewrys authority. Sales of both revolvers and cartridges were brisk. Since the original .38 Colt was smaller in diameter than .38 Smith and Wesson (.357" vs. .362"), the .38 Long Colt and the .38 S&W Special are also smaller in diameter. The U.S.-purchased ones will have US Government Property roll-marked on the topstrap, along with the flaming bomb ordnance mark and the inspectors initials. $50 PREPAID CARD. Powerful with manageable recoil, this line of revolvers has been used for decades by law enforcement and civilians for personal protection and home defense. Relentless Tactical The Ultimate Suede Leather IWB Holster - Made in USA - Fits Most J Frame Revolvers - Ruger LCR - Smith and Wesson Body Guard - Taurus - Charter & Most .38 Special Type Guns 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (3,140) Its contributions to the war effort should not be overlooked. Especially from folks who've shot bigger .38 special revolvers or level-action rifles in the past. The Navy initially bypassed the standard procurement procedure of ordering its small arms under the auspices of the U.S. Army Ordnance Dept. This test was confirmed by a more carefully conducted test at Springfield Armory, authorized by Office, Chief of Ordnance. Check to compare This Satin Nickel finished revolver has the appearance of being unfired or tes Smith & Wesson Model 60 Double Action Revolver serial #ADZ6508, 38 Special, 1 7/8 barrel with an excellent bore. Stay in the know. This is not John Waynes revolver it is a modern work of art! BTW, it was the only armament on the aircraft! Get Guns.com offers and news!! revolvers being used in combat during World War II by American troops. revolver with a 4" barrel. Omaha Outdoors has a broad selection of Smith and Wesson 38 Special models with barrel lengths of 1.875 inches to 7 inches, and some models also chamber 357 Magnum for any scenario you encounter. See Details. Smith & Wesson Model 642 38 Special Revolver with Crimson Trace Lasergrip $764.00 $729.99; After rebate: $679.99; Notify Me When Available; Brand: Smith & Wesson; I still havent found the answer to why, when they switched from 200-grain lead bullets to FMJ bullets, the British and their allies dropped the weight down to 178 grains. The most common early L-frames are in this branch from the family tree, containing the carbon steel-framed Model 581 and stainless steel Model 681, both six-shot .357s with fixed sights. So, in 1954, it got pulled out of whatever depot it was in, inspected, rebuilt, parkerized and sent back into inventory. Scarce Smith & Wesson 38 M&P Airweight Double Action Revolver serial #C232831, 38 Special, 2 barrel with an excellent bore. Smith & Wesson 38 Special Revolvers (24) Refine By: Price Sort by: PER PAGE: 1 2 Compare Rebate! Smith & Wesson 12-3 38 Special Revolver - Used in Good Condition with Box. Serial # is 499016. Add to Cart I#0817703 SEM, WARNING! It was relatively common back in the 1950s and 1960s to find the Commonwealth Victory Models with reamed chambers. 5-shot, +P rated steel cylinder Aluminum cylinder frame Stainless steel barrel Polymer grip frame Concealed hammer 12pm-6pm CST Mon Now, a brief aside here: If you do find any actual, real, .38-200 ammunition, or the later FMJ version of it, do notunder any circumstancesfire it in a clanky old Iver Johnson or other top-break revolver even a S&W top-break. It is sometimes believed that such initials represent the person who actually inspected the guns, but that was not the case. Notice: Our inventory is constantly changing. I dont know why they used a lighter bullet. Victory Model revolvers was manufactured by the Remington Arms Co. Smith & Wesson 642 38 Special +P Revolver with LaserMax Laser $ 490.00. lead bullet. Smith & Wesson Model 586: Reviewing A .357 Revolver With Class. with an excellent bore. When I dress Western, nothing beats the classic good looks of my Smith & Wesson (S&W) 586 .357 revolver. Volberg, Small Arms Branch, Chief of Ordnance:[W]e have received advice from Smith & Wesson, Incorporated that they are prepared to produce a limited number of 2" barrel .38 caliber Special revolvers without impairing their production schedule.The War Production Board, under the date May 8, 1944, has given approval for the production by Smith & Wesson of 500 .38 caliber Special 2" barrel revolvers in order to supply essential non-military users. Gift Cards. Pre K-38 Target model. Add to wishlist. tracer cartridges produced during the war intended for signaling purposes. The manufacturer had no complete set of drawings for the revolver so Ordnance inspection consisted of a visual and manual examination, function, proof and target firing. There are a few documented cases of U.S. Army issue in the continental United States, primarily for guard purposes, and more substantial numbers were used in combat theaters. The .38 Special is the chosen cartridge of a number of interesting contemporary revolvers. This led to the L-frame in 1980. For sale is a Smith & Wesson 640 in .38 Spl. At the start of WWII, we had a problem. Rangemasters are here to answer all your questions about our products or process. A leather hip holster was also made for these revolvers, but the shoulder holster was generally preferred by pilots due to space constraints in the cramped cockpits. The original .38 S&W is held to a paltry 13,000 psi, out of deference to the old top-breaks. Most components still in production were diverted to use in the .38 Special Victory Model, and surplus components in a finished state that were not interchangeable with the .38 Special, such as cylinders and barrels, were shipped to field service depots. Smith & Wesson 640 Engraved SS 2.125" Revolver 5 RD 357 Ma Smith and Wesson 442 Engraved 1.875" Revolver 5 RD 38 Special, Tango Down Vickers Tactical Glock Base Plate Blue 5 Pack. While most of the S&W .38-200 revolvers did have 5" barrels, some were made in 4" and 6" lengths as well. The standard ammunition procured for issue with the .38 Spl. Out of stock View Details . According to Smith & Wesson this revolver was manufactured in the year 1937. The serial numbers on the frame, barrel and cylinder all match, as they should, on any prewar or wartime revolver, also known as the five-screw modelso-called because there are four screws holding the sideplate on and another on the front of the frame to tension the cylinder lock bolt spring. part of our network, we sell THEIR guns first whenever possible. Get 12 Issues a year of the country's best firearms writing. Victory Model revolvers, Ordnance records indicate that some of the guns were also purchased by the U.S. Army and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The 5" barrel was made standard after April 10, 1942. ), the British government also ordered large numbers of similar sixguns from Smith & Wesson chambered for another cartridge, the .38-200which was essentially the .38 S&W cartridge with a 200-gr. The company made its humble start in 1963in Gussago, Italywhen Giuseppe Pietta made a commitment to produce guns as authentic and true-to-original as possible. K & L Frames are interchangeable when it comes to grips. Then, theres the L-arrow-19 marking and another arrow next to it, which is more info. Serial number- GPZ2554. Tryon .Click for more info Seller: Alligood's Area Code: 478 $1,195.00 This proved to be highly successful, so much so that the multi caliber revolver remains as an extremely sought after firearm among American customers to this day. The .38 S&W case is larger in diameter than the Special, in order to accept the .360- to .361-inch diameter bullets. SMALL. Smith & Wesson Model 10-8 Double Action Revolver serial #19D0091, 38 Special, 4 heavy barrel with an excellent bore. Weekly Ad + Buying Guides Expert Advice. Comes with wood grips This indicates that it received a through factory inspection or overhaul, in 1954, at the Lithgow Arsenal. The revolver was originally known as the Smith & Wesson Model 38 Hand Ejector, but was renamed the Model 10 in 1957. The "Victory" name, of course was used as a WW-2 moniker. Barrel roll marks are 38 S&W special. The S&W Victory Model revolvers role in World War II is sometimes minimized or given little more than a cursory mention. Browse our large selection of magazines for great deals on replacement or spare mags for your Smith & Wesson handgun. Victory Model revolver under U.S. government contracts (DSC, Navy and Ordnance) between 1941 and 1945 totalled the not-insignificant sum of 352,315 guns. They included the six-shot Model 30 in .32 S&W Long, the five-shot Model 32, and the .22 LR Model 34 Kit Gun. Smith & Wesson didnt drop everything and begin making 1911s, machine guns and artillery pieces. Pre-war .22 Kit Gun made in 1940, with 4" barrel. Smith & Wesson Brings Flat Dark Earth to M&P M2.0 Compact Pistol. (2) Smith & Wesson Model 637 Airweight w/Crimson Trace Lasergrip 38 Special 1.88in Matte Silver/Black Revolver - 5 Rounds $769.99 Desirable Smith & Wesson Model 10-7 Double Action Revolver serial #ABR9310, 38 Special, 2 barrel with a bright excellent bore. 4"-barreled revolvers as made under U.S. Navy and U.S. Nonetheless, it didnt take long for the impracticality of this policy to become apparent. The M&P was Smith & Wessons K-frame Military & Police revolver which had proven to be popular in the civilian marketplace prior to the war. Due to the shroud, the Bodyguards don't have an adjustable sight option. As stated in R.G. SMITH & WESSON M&P BODYGUARD .38 SPECIAL +P REVOLVER W/O LASER, GRAY - 103039 PALMETTOSTATEARMORY.COM. The .38 S&W is some .0075" larger in diameter at its base than the .38 Special, meaning there is a fairly significant chance of a ruptured case and injury to the shooter or bystanders. These small revolvers are designed to fire a full power round and are as simple and easy to use as they are reliable. . And you might even find a Smith & Wesson Single Action or two. Born of a partnership that was established in 1852 between Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson, Smith & Wesson leads the industry with innovative ideas and designs. They were set up to make revolvers, and there were plenty of uses for firearms that didnt necessarily call for something chambered in .45 ACP. The early cap-and-ball revolvers were being replaced by those firing self-contained cartridges. They were typically chambered in either .32 S&W with a six shot cylinder or .38 S&W with . Federal Power-Shok Ammo 12 Gauge 3" Rifle ProMag FN Five-seveN 30 Round Polymer Mag HK VP9 Optics Plate #2 - Trijicon RMR / H Model 642 with Crimson Trace LG-305 Lasergrips, Smith & Wesson Model 642 No Internal Lock, M&P Bodyguard 38 Crimson Trace Gray and Black, Smith and Wesson 642 Performance Center Enhanced Action, Smith & Wesson 686 6" Revolver 6 RD 357 Magnum / 38 Special, Smith and Wesson 442 5 RD 38 Special 1.875" Revolver, Smith and Wesson M&P Bodyguard 38 Revolver 5 RD. 1 7/8 bbl with an excellent bore. Although the majority of S&W .38-200 revolvers were made under British contract and sent to Great Britain, some were also used by the U.S. military, chiefly for security purposes and for arming allies, such as resistance fighters.