peashooter85:The Lend Lease Smith and Wesson Model 10 “Victory Model”The Smith and Wesson Model 10,
peashooter85:The Lend Lease Smith and Wesson Model 10 “Victory Model”The Smith and Wesson Model 10, also known as the Smith and Wesson “Military and Police”, is perhaps the most popular American made revolver of the 20th century with over 6 million produced. Originally the Model 10 was produced for the military around the turn of the century, and also served as a common sidearm during World War I. After World War I the Model 10 was popular as a police revolver, since it was chambered .38 special, then the most popular law enforcement caliber in the country.Even though the Colt 1911 semi-automatic pistol was the standard sidearm of the US Military, during World War II thousands of Model 10 revolvers were contracted to supplement the Colt 1911. Smith and Wesson Model 10’s produced between 1942 and 1944 were called “Victory Models”, and sported a “V” in the serial number. Many were exported to the United Kingdom as part of the Lend Lease Program. Lend Lease models were chambered in the .38/200 cartridge, a .38 caliber cartridge similar to the .38 special that was the standard sidearm caliber of the British Army during World War II. Most models featured a 4 or 5 inch barrel. A special snub nosed model was also produced for the Royal Air Force, which won the hearts of British pilots due to its small compact size compared to the Enfield and Webley revolver.During World War II, over 560,000 Model 1910 revolvers were exported to the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Nations such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa. In comparison the British only produced 270,000 Enfield revolvers, the official sidearm of the British Army during World War II. Often British servicemen preferred the Smith and Wesson revolver, as its swing out cylinder was sturdier and more reliable than the break top cylinder of the Enfield and Webley. After World War II, many Smith and Wesson Model 10’s were sent back to the United States, where they were converted .38 special. -- source link