After much reading of your posts, I am ready to add a S&W Victory model to my collection. I have more questions than answers right now, but after looking on Gunbroker, I have made a few decisions about what I want:

Caliber: I want to be able to shoot this, I don't believe in Safe-queens, and 38 Special would seem to be a much better choice since I don't reload.

Barrel: standard 4 inch

Aside from that, what can you suggest that I look for? I have found some that have the V mark, but serial number has been removed, some with lanyard rings, some without, some parkerized, some blued, and many with mostly worn metal. Some have posted there were no Victory 38 specials made, and as such they are worthless aside from being shooters...but I dont want a 38 S&W cartridge that I cannot afford to shoot!
Any suggestions for a first-time purchase would be appreciated!

Not true, I have a Victory in .38 Special. Read Hellstrom's notes. Victory Model wartime changes

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Dick

Victory model pistols are fairly easy to check for originality. Markings vary, but serial numbers on barrel, cylinder, under ejector star and left grip (sometimes left blank) should match. Even the wartime S&W's, matching grips were almost all flush and fit well.

The standard 4" 38 special is the way to go if you plan to shoot. Also check the finish, the 38/200 Britich commonwealth guns for the most part were either reparked by arsenal (FTR-factory through repair) or re-done by the importer. Most 38 specials you will find made for the US army/navy will have their original finish. Markings should be clear, ejector rod should be blued, and trigger/hammer case hardened.

Charile Pate's "Secondary Handguns of WWII" has the most thourough description of victory models.

Good luck!

Personally, I'd want one that was not only had all matching parts, but one that showed a lot of character as well. Victories had a hard and glorious purpose and they just shouldn't be safe queens. One of my grail guns would be a 4" Victory with a provenance to the U.S.9th Infantry Division in the WW2 ETO. Say...one inscribed: "Remagen: March 7, 1945", or something. Not that they were typically marked like that, but hey; I can dream, can't I? -S2

The 4" .38 Special guns aren't just more costly because of perceived demand, they are also less common. The scarcity factor adds to the price on top of the demand.

- they were made in much smaller numbers than the .38 S&W models
- More of them stayed in military service vs. UK models and not flooded back onto the civilian market, I believe.

I really like the 4" US models. I have two early Navy ones and both are very satisfying guns. One of this is amazingly accurate, as good as any S&W I have or have seen.

I think your thought process is correct - it's what I decided years ago when going after some. The .38 models are a little more costly but are more satisfying in my opinion.

Gday, I will go along with all the above, I presently own two Victory model revolvers in 38spl 4inch barrel. They are well worn and show hard use, but not abuse. Both shoot extremely well and are an absolute joy to do so. Over 15yds one will if I do my part well enough cut a ragged hole for 5 shots the other not quite as good, but more than enough for what they were designed for. Both were shipped in late summer 1943. These revolvers are a joy.

Hello

I have a .380" Calibre (aka .38" S&W) British Victory Model that I really love. It is really fun to fire and I think it is the most accurate of all of my entire three revolvers LOL.

After getting over the "sticker shock" of buying my first (and last) box of commercial .38" S&W cartridges, I found out that investing in a Lee Hnad Press and a set of .38" S&W dies, this little cartridge could be real fun to shoot for. Buying this revolver (actually the .380" Cal. Webley & Scott Mk.IV came before the Victory Model) introduced me to reloading (still an extreme novice), so finding a British Victory Model in the original chambering can be a "shootable" revolver as well as the U.S. Victory Model. Then again I am 3rd generation English-American and I reenact WWII British Army, so that might have something to do with my choice as well. I'd love to find out that my Victory Model was used by a member of the 4th Bn. Somerset Light Infantry Regiment, of the 129th Brigade, in the 43rd "Wessex" Division at Hill 112...but I'll just be grateful for that I just own the revolver and not be too picky where and with who with it Served LOL.

What I am looking for when I can dream about finding a US .38" Special Victory Model? Keep in mind that cash is tight for me now, so I am not looking for a pristine collectors piece. I can't really be too picky. But if I had a choice...it would be a US Navy issued revolver, and issued to VT-34 (Torpedo Squadron 34) and carried by...my Dad LOL....Good luck LOL!
I'm almost certain that will never happen, so I'd be happy with any run of the mill .38" Special Victory Model.

As the mention of the 9th Inf. Div. at Remagen, Germany on 7 MAR 45. I had an Uncle who was at Remagen with the U.S. 9th. Armoured Div., I think he crossed on that same day 7 MAR 45., have to ask Dad for more details.
Thanks
Mark

Mine's an original late model 38 special. Victory's are nice guns. All Smith collectors should have one, good luck in your search.

Ballrat, you mentioned your guns are 38 Spl. Are these converted 38 sw or were they imported to Australia post-war? I thought the war-time Australian guns were 38 sw with 5" barrels.

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John. SWCA #1586

From what I've read, some of that war's greatest heroes crossed that bridge on that day. I would very much appreciate reading some your Uncle's memories from it. My father was there also; he earned a silver star a few days later, I believe as an artillery observer in fighting off some of the German counterattacks. He never talked about it much. Anyways, like you, that's why such a Victory would truly be a grail gun for me. I'll let you know if I ever see one marked "VT-34". -S2

Hello

I met my Uncle, but he died in 1974 and I was three at that time, so technically I "met" him, but never got to talk to him. I'm not sure which Company, Bn., Regt., he was with. I will ask my Dad the next time I see him. Now my Dad is 86 now, so I'm not certain he would know the details off the top of his head without checking old letters, etc.

One thing I do know is that one of his 9th Armoured Div. insignias got to return to Remagen in Jan. 1997. After I got out of US Navy Active Duty I Served a few years with a local U.S. Army Nat. Guard unit which spent three weeks in Kaiserslaultern, Germany. One Sat. we had off, I took Deutsch Bahn for a ride North up the River Rhein to Remagen. I took one of my Uncle's 9th Armd. Div. insignia along and took a photo at the bridge (East Bank of the Rhein).

OK, now that I went way off topic, back to Victory Models. I have no idea if the Victory Models issued in my Dad's squadron (VT-34) had squadron property markings on them? I'm certain my Dad would not recall a detail like that after 60-plus years, but I'll ask him anyway. A big fear of mine is finding out about a Victory Model that was documented to VT-34 and not having the cash to buy it at that time. For me right now, working part-time and going to school, there is just not much cash left over. When I bought my British Victory last year, I had to put it on lay away for a while, and it was not that spendy compared to the prices I have been hearing about LOL. The odds of finding a revolver marked/documented to his squadron are nil, but I'm sure that anything is possible LOL. I think I'd be happy with any shooter grade U.S. .38" Special revolver at this point LOL.
Thanks
Mark

The history you gentlemen are discussing is exactly why one should have at least one Victory in their collection.

Regards,

Jerry

Are the British Lend/Lease Victory's as desirable/ valuable as the U.S. Victories?

In my experience, the US military Victory models in 38 special are the most desirable. An original British Service Revolver is also desirable if it has not been altered. A large number of the British Service Revolvers were reamed out to fit a 38 Special and many had the barrel cut. These are the least desirable and in many cases are not even suitable as shooters.

An all matching numbered gun with a very high percentage of original finish is the key to a collectible firearm. In my opinion a "like new" British Service Revolver would be more valuable than a worn and non-matching US Military Victory.

I hope this helps.

Steve

Thank you very much, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with me. I never deleved into the Victories, but have always wanted one.

Does anyone know where I can get a holster for a British Lend/Lease? Either leather or canvas. I guess the British mainly used canvas? Also would very much like to find a Lanyard, Thanks very much

Hello

This is the standard WWII British holster, along with other odds and sods (Belt, Braces, Brace Adapters, Revolver Cartridge Pouch, and Compass Pouch). All of these items are from the Pattern-1937 Web Equipment. If I have it correct, I think the actual "official correct" term for the WWII British (and British Commonwealth) Holster for all of the .380" Calibre (aka .38" S&W) revolvers (No.2 Mk.I (and Mk.I* version), Webley & Scott Mk.IV, and S&W Revolvers) is "Pistol Case". Type in something like "Pattern-1937 Holster" or "P-37 Holster" etc. and you might find more info. Hope that helped a bit.
Thanks
Mark

Hello

This is another version of a British (and British Commonwealth) Pattern-1937 Holster. This version was made for tank crew members. This is the second variation of the this style of holster, the first version was made to hang much lower on the wearer's leg and had a strap that secured around the wearer's leg. The holster in the photo is a 1950's made example.
Thanks
Mark

Hello

If this link to What Price Glory Militaria works, here is a British (Australian-made version) Pattern-1937 Holster. I have bought a few things from this company and they are good to deal with.
Thanks
Mark

What Price Glory - UK P-37 Medium Revolver Holster (Original)

TomcatPC,Awesome pictures, Thanks and Thanks for the info.

Oh darn, now you've gone a done it. Now I have to find me a holster to go with my Victory.

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Dick

hsguy, both my Victory models are original 38spl 4 inch, sometime after the war both guns were sent back into the USA and carry the re-import markings of CAI St. Alb VT, thats Century arms international. From there they found their way to Australia, no idea how though. But glad they did.