Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this double/single-action revolver today for a penny-start auction, this is the Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police "Victory" Model.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model: .38 Military & Police "Victory" Model
Serial: V676667
Date of Manufacture: 1942-1945
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Black Magic
Barrel Length: 4" Pinned Barrel
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front with Integral Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Double/Single-Action
Markings: Standard / The top strap is marked "U.S. PROPERTY / G.H.D". The G.H.D marking stands for Colonel Guy H. Drewry (head of the Springfield Ordnance District). The left side of the barrel is marked "SMITH & WESSON". The top of the barrel is marked "SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD, MASS, U.S.A. PATENTED FEB. 6.06. SEPT. 14.09. DEC.29.14." The right side of the barrel is marked ".38 S&W SPECIAL CTG." The right side of the frame is marked with a large S&W logo and "MADE IN U.S.A." The butt is marked with the serial number "V676667".
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police "Victory" Model is a quintessential World War II K-frame revolver, distinguished by the "V" serial prefix introduced to symbolize the fight against the Axis powers. Built on a 5-screw square-butt frame with a 6-shot fluted cylinder, this sidearm was initially ordered directly by the U.S. Navy. However, because the Navy bypassed standard procurement procedures and lacked on-site inspectors, drawings, or gauges, early factory production suffered from a staggering 30% rejection rate. This quality-control crisis forced the U.S. Army Ordnance Department to assume control of procurement in early 1942 under Army Service Forces (ASF). Under strict Ordnance oversight, quality drastically improved, and production was standardized with a 4-inch round pinned barrel, a lanyard ring anchored to the butt, and a non-reflective matte finish known as sandblast blue or "Black Magic" (similar to Parkerizing). As production evolved, so did the revolver's markings and safety features. Early U.S. Navy guns lacked factory stamps and were later marked "Property of U.S. Navy" on the left side of the frame, which eventually transitioned to a factory-applied top-strap stamping. Once Army Ordnance took over, the markings changed to "U.S. Property" accompanied by the inspection stamp "G.H.D." for Colonel Guy H. Drewry (head of the Springfield Ordnance District), a mark typically found from serial range V85000 to the end of production. Other verified wartime inspection stamps include "W.B." (Waldemar Broberg) and "J.S.B." (John S. Begley) on 1945 factory-reconditioned models. A critical turning point occurred when a Victory Model was accidentally dropped on the deck of a U.S. Navy ship, shearing the hammer pivot and fatally discharging into a sailor.
Model: .38 Military & Police "Victory" Model
Serial: V676667
Date of Manufacture: 1942-1945
Caliber: .38 Special
Finish: Black Magic
Barrel Length: 4" Pinned Barrel
Optics/Sights: Fixed Blade Front with Integral Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Double/Single-Action
Markings: Standard / The top strap is marked "U.S. PROPERTY / G.H.D". The G.H.D marking stands for Colonel Guy H. Drewry (head of the Springfield Ordnance District). The left side of the barrel is marked "SMITH & WESSON". The top of the barrel is marked "SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD, MASS, U.S.A. PATENTED FEB. 6.06. SEPT. 14.09. DEC.29.14." The right side of the barrel is marked ".38 S&W SPECIAL CTG." The right side of the frame is marked with a large S&W logo and "MADE IN U.S.A." The butt is marked with the serial number "V676667".
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police "Victory" Model is a quintessential World War II K-frame revolver, distinguished by the "V" serial prefix introduced to symbolize the fight against the Axis powers. Built on a 5-screw square-butt frame with a 6-shot fluted cylinder, this sidearm was initially ordered directly by the U.S. Navy. However, because the Navy bypassed standard procurement procedures and lacked on-site inspectors, drawings, or gauges, early factory production suffered from a staggering 30% rejection rate. This quality-control crisis forced the U.S. Army Ordnance Department to assume control of procurement in early 1942 under Army Service Forces (ASF). Under strict Ordnance oversight, quality drastically improved, and production was standardized with a 4-inch round pinned barrel, a lanyard ring anchored to the butt, and a non-reflective matte finish known as sandblast blue or "Black Magic" (similar to Parkerizing). As production evolved, so did the revolver's markings and safety features. Early U.S. Navy guns lacked factory stamps and were later marked "Property of U.S. Navy" on the left side of the frame, which eventually transitioned to a factory-applied top-strap stamping. Once Army Ordnance took over, the markings changed to "U.S. Property" accompanied by the inspection stamp "G.H.D." for Colonel Guy H. Drewry (head of the Springfield Ordnance District), a mark typically found from serial range V85000 to the end of production. Other verified wartime inspection stamps include "W.B." (Waldemar Broberg) and "J.S.B." (John S. Begley) on 1945 factory-reconditioned models. A critical turning point occurred when a Victory Model was accidentally dropped on the deck of a U.S. Navy ship, shearing the hammer pivot and fatally discharging into a sailor.
This tragedy prompted an urgent investigation by the Navy and Springfield Armory, forcing Smith & Wesson to develop the "slide action hammer block" safety in September 1944. This life-saving mechanism placed a physical steel bar between the hammer face and the frame. Guns manufactured with this upgrade from the factory received an "SV" prefix (starting at SV 769,001), while approximately 40,000 older revolvers returned to the factory for retrofitting were stamped with a small "s" near the rear sideplate screw and an "S" on the butt. Out of 1.1 million total wartime K-frames produced (the majority of which were 5-inch barrel .38/200 models shipped to British Commonwealth forces via Lend-Lease), exactly 242,291 of these specific 4-inch .38 Special U.S. contract variants were manufactured between 1942 and 1945, cementing their status as a highly prized prize among modern military firearms collectors.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3-day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1181488398 |
BidPrice: |
0.01 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-06-28 21:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
257 |
