I have an opportunity to purchase a female friend's Victory with Holster, SN V 393312. The gun was her WWII Marine Father's who is now deceased. She does not want to retain for sentimental value. Gun is in good-excellent shape, Has inscription " Fray Mershom for LA Cal Suregrip" at grip. I am not looking for a collectible, just an occasional working piece. What would be a reasonable price for this weapon without ripping her off??? Thank You.

If you can not estimate the percent finish remaining, then post a couple of
pictures. Good-excellent shape is not really quantifiable.

Was she, in any way, related to Mershom ? He was a grip-maker, and its
very unusual to see his name on the gun. Did her father know Mershom,
for example ?

If she is a friend, and you want to deal fairly with her, I would first
get a letter. The value of the gun depends on where it was shipped.
If it went to the Navy, for example, that adds value. The connection
to Mershom is, in itself, very interesting, although it may have more
curiosity than collector value.

Does the gun have the standard WW2 smooth walnut grips, or are they
something else ?

Later, Mike Priwer

Mike,
The story from her on the gun is that her uncle, also a deceased Marine, gave it to her father during the war. She is not related to Mershom, and the grips are the smooth walnut. Not being a collector and with no reference to grade it to live, I would put the finish, which is the original Parkerized, close the the photos posted by robbt on May 18. There are no noticable pits or rubbing present. She also has two full boxes of US issue 130 grain rounds of ammo with the lot #'s on the box, plus the US engraved snap cover holster. I actually went to see the gun(s) last evening, mostly to look at Remington 742 Woodmaster to buy for my son for deer hunting.She told me she had a rifle, a shotgun, and her dad's pistol. She wants to sell that rifle, a Stevens shotgun, and the pistol as a lot. I was going to give her 7-800 for all three, which is what her neighbor told her they were worth. Thanks mfor your quick reply... I'll probably pick them up this afternoon, then get the letter and post pics.

Craig

Craig

All three are worth at least that much - probably closer to $1000.

Later, Mike Priwer

Ok... I finally got back into town and purchased this Victory. Now I'm trying to post the pics via Photobucket... hope it works. Sorry for any poor quality... it's my first rodeo. Got all three guns previously mentioned for $750. She didn't want to sell them individually and felt her pops would've wanted them to go to someone that would use/appreciate them.

Very nice acquisition, the gun is in great shape. You might want to remove the grips and see if the same serial number from the butt is on the inside of the right side grip panel. That would indicate the grips are original to the gun.
Some of the more knowledgeable members here keep databases of Victory model S&W's and may chime in and give you an approximate shipping date.

John,
Thanks for the suggestion... grip serial # matches # on butt. Any other markings I should look for???

Craig

Craig

The gun is very nice. The Mershom is just a grip adapter, that someone
put on it. It snaps off and on - I'd probably take it off.

Later, Mike Priwer

Regarding the Stevens shotgun, I assume it's a sporting gun--not a trench, or a military riot gun, which would go for big bucks. Still, look for "U.S." markings on it, which bring a premium price.

Nice going!

GB

Is it just the picture or my imagination, but the second picture looks like the barrel has a slight bulge. That is a nice looking rig. Definitely send off for a letter

quote:

Originally posted by mikepriwer:
Craig

The gun is very nice. The Mershom is just a grip adapter, that someone
put on it. It snaps off and on - I'd probably take it off.

Later, Mike Priwer

I agree with Mike except I would be hesitant to remove the Mershom grip adapter. If that is how the original owner carried it in combat, I would leave it as is.In addiitiona to the letter from S&W, I would attempt to get one from the seller to establish as much provinence as possible. But then, I like guns with a story.

Bill

Gary

I noticed the same thing - forward of the shoulder on the barrel. Craig
could run a cleaning jag through the barrel, with a clean patch, and see
if it feels like it hits a hole ! If there is a bulge , and I'm not
sure one way or the other, when the patch hits the bulge region, it moves
a lot easier. Then, as it passes through, it runs into resistance again.

Later, Mike Priwer

quote:

Originally posted by 10-12:
If that is how the original owner carried it in combat, I would leave it as is.

IMHO, I doubt very seriously that the revolver was carried in combat with a grip adaptor. Government issue weapons are not allowed to be customized.

GB

quote:

Originally posted by gunbarrel:

quote:

Originally posted by 10-12:
If that is how the original owner carried it in combat, I would leave it as is.

IMHO, I doubt very seriously that the revolver was carried in combat with a grip adaptor. Government issue weapons are not allowed to be customized.

GB

I retired with over 20 years service and I can assure you issue weapons get modified all of the time, especially a modification such as this that can be easily changed back. Mine did. In WW II some GIs put a penny behind the buffer on their Browning MGs to increase the firing rate and the Army put out a training poster saying" you would not sell your machine gun for a penny, why ruin it with one" or words to that effect.

Bill

Bill,

I'm talking about customizing, not modifying equipment. I mean, like this grip adaptor, or installing a set of stag grips, or having it nickle-plated, for example. Unless it was George Patton , I just can't see it. Just my 2¢ worth.

GB