Price check on a pre-victory w/Australian markings

kdave21 · Oct 1, 2015

What is a fair retail for this gun?

I see that it has import marks. I believe serial range is 88X,XXX. Based on things I read in this forum, it seems that this would be after they started using the phosphate, but before they started bead blasting. Is that correct? Seller told me it was a "pre-victory." Is the terminology correct? Not familiar with these at all...

Absalom · Oct 1, 2015

This is indeed a pre-Victory, but it looks heavily refinished to me, with much more modern stocks. The hammer, trigger and ejector rod have been polished to in-the-white status. It's hard to say whether the phosphate finish is original from the photos, but at least to me the Smith & Wesson stamping on the barrel looks somewhat washed/buffed out. So does the S&W crest on the right side plate.

So it would have no collector value. It's hard to put a price on it since I simply wouldn't be interested, but it should definitely be south of $300 somewhere.

DWalt · Oct 1, 2015

If the SN is as you state, 88xxxx, that would date its shipment to late 1941, quite a while prior to the factory's use of a phosphate finish. The Australian military re-finished many of their Victories and pre-Victories in the 1950s. This may be one of them, and if so would probably have a "FTR" (Factory Thorough Repair) stamp on it, plus a 2-digit date. The grips are definitely not original. It might be a good shooter, but that's about all. No serious collectors would be interested, so it's worth whatever it would bring as a shooter. I'd guess $250-$350, depending on the buyer's interest and knowledge of what he is really buying. If you are considering its purchase, really lowball an offer and walk away if it's not accepted.

Jack Flash · Oct 1, 2015

If you are buying it as a shooter, be advised that the barrel markings indicate that it fires .38 S&W, which can be hard to find. (This is not the same as .38 S&W Special).

It may have been converted to fire .38 Special, but that is not always problem-free.

kdave21 · Oct 1, 2015

Thank you all for the welcome advice. The seller wanted $500 OBO so I didnt even bother making an offer. I appreciate the guidance!

DWalt · Oct 1, 2015

A wise decision. Someone else deserves it.

Price check on a pre-victory w/Australian markings

kdave21

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