Thought I'd share a couple pics of one of my Victory Models. Just dug this out of a case to photograph it for an upcoming article. It's serial #SV8272x, and U.S. Navy marked. I suspect it was refurbished for use in the Vietnam war - re-parked. I think it's a pretty nice specimen.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PALADIN85020,

WOW!!! Nice Victory!! Mines not that pretty, but she sure shoots good.

Very nice looking Victory!

The finish looks pretty good, especially the case-hardening on the hammer. Think it might be the original finish?

Is the letter "S" stamped on the right side of the frame/plate?

The photos, particularly the second one, illustrate one of the big differences
between Victories, and the pre-war guns. Notice the roughness on the top of the
frame, in the rear sight, and on other areas of the frame. Those are all
tool marks of one kind or another. Significant finishing operations were
required, on the pre-war guns, to remove all those marks. Clearly, a lot of
time was saved by simply leaving the frames in a rather rough state, for the
WW2 production. That was a very good decision on the part of the factory.

Later, Mike Priwer

Digi-shots,

Yes, there is an "S" stamped on the upper part of the sideplate. If you will notice, it also appears that the ejector rod was replaced with one not featuring the earlier "knob." This leads me to believe, with the re-parkerizing, that this one was refurbished, again, probably in the Vietnam era. Does the "S" stamp indicate the sideplate was grooved for the hammer block?

Hello P:

Are you certain about that serial number? If it is indeed SV8272XX then it would be the highest serial number Victory with an SV-prefix I have ever heard of.

Another oddity is the US Navy top strap marking on a Victory in the SV8272XX range. The highest serial number we have recorded in the Victory Database for a US Navy marked Victory is in the V261000 range, a March, 1943 shipped gun. If your serial is correct it would have been shipped in 1945.

Perhaps you could double check that serial number for us. Also, if you would care to do so perhaps you could post here or email me the complete serial number so that we can include it in the Victory Model Database.

Thanks.

Regards,
Charlie Flick
S&WCA #729
NRA Life

ordnanceguy,

You're right! I made a boo-boo. The correct number is SV 8272x - that's what happens when you scribble things down illegibly and read too quickly. I corrected that on my original post just now. Sharp eye! I believe I have already sent you the serial numbers of the 2 Victories I have, including this one. This is just the first opportunity I've had to post pictures.

Hello P:

Thanks for clearing that up. The new number makes a lot more sense. Yes, we do have your Victory's number in our Database.

Your Victory may actually have been through two rebuilds. The first was during or shortly after the War when the safety hammer block was installed with the new side plate. At that time the serial number would have had the "S" added to the prefix. The second rebuild may have occurred when the new ejector rod was installed, as that type of knurled end rod was not available until several years post-war.

Thanks for the post and the pics.

Regards,
Charlie Flick

PALADIN85020,

Congrats, that's a really nice piece!

MOONDAWG

ordnanceguy,

On the butt, the "S" on the serial number is on the left of the lanyard ring, and the rest of the serial number is on the right side; certainly indicating a refitting with the new sideplate and hammer block, right? Again, I assume the "S" on the sideplate indicates it was grooved for the hammer block.

P:

Yes, the S prefix serial number and the "s" on the side plate are indicative of the installation of the safety hammer block.

Charlie Flick