Just curious : Does it have any Proof Markings on the side of the barrel close to the frame ???, Or does the serial# start with a "V" ???.......

IMHO S&W would probably do the best job of anyone.......They may have Packages to refurbish old pistols by making any small repairs like changing out springs, etc., Re-Bluing, And then a test fire before returning it to you.......Their prices may be comparable to what a local 'Smith would charge - Wouldn't hurt to give them a call, Unlike a local 'Smith this is something they do in volume everyday.

Just curious about that 40's Vintage........Around 1940 and after almost all weapons production went for the war effort even before we became involved in WW2.........During that first year France fell and Britian needed every gun it could get it's hands on, We shipped boatloads of weapons like S&W "I" frame revolvers otherwise known as : "The Hand Ejector" and then later called the "Victory Model" to them and other allies, But they were chambered in .38S&W or as the Brits called it the .38-200........

Well as the rest of the story goes a great number of these came back to the U.S. after the war either reamed out or the cylinder swapped to the .38 SPL Cartridge and sold on the commercial market......I've seen Victory models for sale late as the 90's - Isn't that Great !!! weapons we LOANED to our allies in their darkest hour of need gets sold back to us on the commercial market(Per a conversation FOX and I had) LOL.

Anyway "Proofs" on the barrel like : "3.5 T" , "NP" means 3.5 Ton and Nitro-Proofed by the Brits.