Smith & Wesson Handguns Went to War

As one of the oldest firearm retailers in the region, Al Flaherty’s Outdoor Store opened as Al Flaherty’s Army Store in 1947. We specialized in Army surplus items, including rifles. We celebrate the noble past of our firearms, particularly Smith & Wesson, which played a major role in WWII.

The Smith & Wesson Company was founded in 1852 and has a long and storied history. In fact, at the beginning of World War II, a “V” for victory was added to the gun’s serial number, and these .38 caliber revolvers became known as the S&W Victory models.

The Victory models were used by guards stationed at defense installations and factories dedicated to making war products. They were also used by fighter and bomber pilots who kept them inside their shoulder holsters. Approximately 40,000 of the models were produced in the USA for U.S. troops. More than a half million more were provided to the Allied forces through the Lend-Lease program, an initiative meant to give material aid to the Allies.

Today, Al Flaherty’s Outdoor Store in Toronto carries a tremendous selection of Smith & Wesson handguns. You can find all the latest S&W handguns—from the Classic to the M&P Pro Series—among our collections. Visit us in person and let us walk you through our handgun inventory. View the full inventory of S&W handguns on our website and let us know if you have any questions.