*USA, WW2, c1942, .38 Smith & Wesson Victory CTG 6-Shot M&P Revolver, New Zealand Lend Lease Issue, Deactivated Old Spec*
.38″ Calibre. 4″/124mm Barrel Length
“V134361”: Serial number number marked on butt, chamber and under the barrel.
Marked on Barrel: “Smith & Wesson”, “Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass U.S.A, Patented Feb. 6. 06. Sept 14.09. Dec 29.14”, “38 S. &. W CTG”
Marked on top of receiver: “United States Property” and at the bottom “Made in U.S.A”, there is also a trademark stamp on the frame.
Marked on butt: “V134361”, “W.B. ordnance bomb. P” – The acceptance mark of Ordnance officer Waldemar Bromberg is located on the butt (to about serial number V1-V145000) dates the revolver to early-mid 1942. The “P” proof mark indicates this revolver has passed military proof testing.
Marked on top of the back strap: ” N. Arrow Z. 1548″
This revolver is a WW2 “Lend Lease” Smith & Wesson .38 M&P model, produced in early 1942. It bears the US flaming grenade ordnance and WB inspectors acceptance stamps, along with the V prefixed serial number “V134361”. Notably, it is marked “United States Property” on the top strap, a common indication of weapons allocated under the Lend Lease agreement between the UK and US governments. Specifically, this revolver is marked for New Zealand (NZ), with weapon number 1548. Given New Zealand’s relatively small army size during WW2, around 140,000 personnel, firearms with such markings are relatively rare.
Originally patented in 1899 as the Hand Ejector model, this firearm garnered attention from both the Army and Navy, eventually becoming known as the Military & Police (M&P). The WW2 iteration, produced from 1942 to 1944, was dubbed the Victory Model. Chambered in .38 with a 4″ barrel, this variant was manufactured under a WW2 U.S. Navy contract. During World War 2 590,305 of these revolvers were supplied to the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa under the Lend-Lease program, chambered in the British .38/200 caliber already in use in the Enfield No 2 Mk I Revolver and the Webley Mk IV Revolver. Most Victory Models sent to Britain were fitted with 4-inch or 5-inch barrels. The 5-inch barrel became standard production after 4 April 1942. These models typically had a Parkerized finish, with serial numbers bearing a “V” (Victory) prefix stamped on the butt. Additionally, a lanyard ring was attached to the butt.
*Condition*
Deactivated old spec. Cocks and dry fires. This revolver is an iconic piece of history and is in excellent condition. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
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