Hi All!
New member here, so forgive me if I doing something wrong. Just picked up a nice Victory today. Smooth trigger, no finish, but bore is bright and shiney. Hoping I can get date the manufacture, serial # SV797998. I'm sure it's fairly late. US Property and GHD markings. Thanks in advance.

This will work. Welcome to the forum.

You do indeed have a fairly late one, likely shipped around Feb/March 1945 and most probably to the Navy, on account of the property stamp.

The S before the V denotes a new hammer block safety which was installed in Victorys starting around V 769,000 in January.

Absalom:

I'd say that SV 797988 likely shipped months later than Feb-March, 1945. My analysis would be that it shipped in June-July, 1945, based upon the Victory Model Database.

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Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

Charlie, you’re right. I didn’t take into account the 1945 slowdown. I recall Jack mentioning that the highest military SV shipped to the Navy in August was just over 800xxx.

Thank you, Guys! Great to know!

Just purchased a S&W Victory revolver with serial number V341582. Would appreciate any information on the gun including approximate date of manufacturing.
Thanks

V341582 would date its shipment at approximately July 1943. Can't say much else without more characteristics - caliber, barrel length, and topstrap stamping or lack thereof. You might learn something from this: http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/v...and_wesson.htm

Thanks DWalt for the information. The weapon is a S&W Model 10, 4 inch barrel, 38 special. U.S Property, GHD. I checked out your link and did find some good information, appreciate the help.

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Welcome to the Forum.

"The weapon is a S&W Model 10..."

This is incorrect. Model numbers weren't assigned by S&W until 1957 and the revolvers that were model stamped had a short action, as opposed to the long action that is standard on pre WW II and WW II Victory K and N frames.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Thanks for information, learning all the time. Based on the photos provided is there any other information you can give me on the weapon? Trying to find out as much as I can.
Thanks

V 341582 is a standard US military-shipped Victory. All markings are standard. The S indicates those parts needed some service dept. attention before passing inspection. Pretty much all of these went to the Navy at that time, so a history letter would likely show a large Navy yard as initial destination.

Where it went from there is impossible to say. These were carried on missions by Navy and Marine aviators, in shipboard gun lockers, but also by guards at stateside Navy facilities.

Absalom,
Thanks for the information, between you and DWalt I'm getting a better picture to when it was made and possibly where it may have gone. I splurged and completed a "Letter of Authenticity" request to the S&W Historical Foundation to get info from them as well. I always like to have the history of the weapon with my collection, well worth the fee. I appreciate all the great feedback I'm getting from different collectors on this forum.

The letter may be a little disappointing as it won't tell you anything beyond exactly when it shipped and to where, which will be more than likely some Navy supply depot. There is a very slim possibility it might be an OSS gun if it shipped to a Navy facility in Rosslyn VA. There will be nothing provided about whether it saw any action or not. Please post the letter here when you receive it.

Received Smith and Wesson Historical Foundation documents and posted for additional information.

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DeWalt, Posted update with copies of documents received from Smith and Wesson Historical foundation per your request...thanks

Posted documents from S&W Historical foundation.

Hello everyone,

Im a new member, and a proud new owner of a S&W Victory model which I just purchased today.

It is a 5" barrel and chambered in 38 S&W. It has a parkerized finish, and smooth wood grips. It has no import marks, nor any foreign proof marks (that I can find). It is marked along the top strap "US Property GHD", and has a serial number of "V424754".

If I have read elsewhere correctly, I believe it to have been sent to England under the Lend Lease program. It appears to be numbers matching, and doesn't appear to have been re-chambered to 38 Special. Unfortunately it is missing the lanyard ring (hopefully I can find an original replacement).

Is there any way of finding out a date of manufacture or shipping on this particular pistol?

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Welcome to the forum.

You have your gun correctly diagnosed in all aspects. The serial places it around October 1943. We have no manufacture dates, but for an exact ship date you‘d need to buy a history letter from the S&W Historical Foundation.

Your gun does indeed look all original, and the absence of any post-war British proofs or importer marks enhances its collector appeal. Original and reproduction swivels can be found on auction sites such as e-bay, Gunbroker, or ordered from Numrich.

Hey Absalom, do you have any idea what the typical daily production was during this period (mid-late '43)? Or at least the monthly averages?

I don‘t know if there are actual records about that, but extrapolating from the numbers produced in the two final years of regular full production, 1943 and 1944, you‘re looking at a number in the 20-thousands per month.

Thanks! Now I have to kick myself even harder for letting one get away that was <1,000 off the S/N of the one I have. Had been sitting on GB for a while, thought it was overpriced, then one day it disappeared.

I'd agree with that. My figures indicate that during 1943 and 1944, average monthly production would likely have been very close to 20,000, or +/- 4500 per week.

I have a Victory model- serial number V622958. Smooth wood grips, US Property GHD on top left strap. Non-glare / matte finish. Any info on date of manufacture, final destination? Any info would be appreciated. Thx.

It was made in mid-1944.

We need to know the barrel length and/or caliber stamped on the barrel (SPECIAL or not) to determine whether it was a US version shipped most likely to the Navy or a Lend-Lease British Service model. Those are the two possibilities.

Hello, i have a victory model serial number V31576. Smooth wood grips, lanyard loop hole on the butt, but its missing the loop itself, US NAVY stamped on the top left strap and CD stamped on both sides. 4in barrel in .38 special.

It was my fathers gun that went to me when he passed, and I pretty much know nothing about it. Its been sitting in my safe for close to 10 years now so i finally decided to look into it a little bit. Its special to me and will be passed to my son eventually, so i am just trying to see what i can find out about it.

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Welcome to the forum. Go through this thread and you will learn a ton about the Victory and pick up many tips on your Victory. With that s/n you have a very early Victory. It would have shipped in 1942.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Indeed, as Mike says, mid-1942, and a direct US Navy purchase. These were used primarily for Naval and Marine aviators, but also ship-side guard duty, shore facilities etc.

The CD almost certainly stands for Civil Defense and is a relic of the Cold War. Military surplus revolvers were transfered to CD organizations after WW II, and since there was no marking standard, these tend to be haphazard and often impossible to attribute to a specific place.

The missing swivel is easy to replace; look for an original or replica on e-bay, Gunbroker, or at Numrich/Gun Parts Corp.

Awesome, thank you guys for the info. I will definitely be looking for a replacement swivel.

Hello. I just bought a Smith Wesson Victory revolver from a member on this forum. The revolver is still at my FFL but I was hoping someone might have info as to when it was made or shipped. I'm going to the the letter as well... It's a standard 4 inch .38 Special US Property GHD marked gun. The serial number is V 52119X.

Hello Phillies:

I can help you with that. Your Victory likely shipped from the factory in the January-March, 1944 time frame. That is based upon the information contained in the Victory Model Database.

Regards,
Charlie

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Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

Ok thanks ! When I get my letter in 10 to 14 weeks I'll post what the exact dates are here.

Hi all! Recently picked up my first ever Victory model and I had a few questions, along with the standard query on generally when it might have been made? It is SN # V123572:



Standard 4" bbl in 38 special but it lacks the US Property or GHD etc stamps on the top strap, which is entirely bare instead. It does have those poorly stamped mark on the back of the grip however:



(full resolution here: https://i.imgur.com/4QZxtb7.jpg) It's hard to tell but it looks like it says B BRINKS or something like that?

It also has what looks like maybe a rack # above the rearmost screw on the right side of the frame:



and these very amusing grips, whose authenticity I have no idea about. (What's an M. SQT.?)





Full album here: S&W Victory Model - Album on Imgur

I think it was made in 1942 and M. SGT stands for Master Sargent.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

That's what I thought at first but its a Q not a G lol - it could be a simple typographic error tho since the last S in LEWIS is backwards, so who knows whats going on exactly!

Sorry for the delay, but I got my letter back from Smith and Wesson. It was shipped from the factory on 2-9-44 and delivered to the US Navy at Norfolk, VA. The pistol is marked US Property but not US Navy. Is that something typical ?

Yes. Early Navy-shipped Victorys (until mid-1943) were stamped US NAVY, but since ultimately the Army Supply Program took over handling all revolver contracts, including for the Navy, all military-shipped guns were stamped US PROPERTY by the time of yours.

With my pistol having been sent to an East Coast Naval base, as supposed to a West Cost base can I possibly guess my pistol went on a naval ship going to the ETO ?

Serial number V113466 and still in functional use. One of my home defense guns. What year was it made?

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Ronald Carl Bloom II

It likely shipped in 1942.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Thank you for your help

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Ronald Carl Bloom II

US Navy Marked on top strap V166313 ?

Yes, US Navy marked.

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Ronald Carl Bloom II

You cannot assume anything and there is no way to find out what happened to it after it left the factory, beyond to where it was first shipped.

Hello DKM:

Your revolver likely shipped from the factory in the November-December, 1942 time frame.

Hope that helps you.

Regards,
Charlie

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Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

I celebrated a Birthday this last week. My son gifted me what appears to be a Smith & Wesson puzzle...errrr...I mean Victory!

I'm not real savvy with these older revolvers, but I've performed my due diligence with a few hours of research, and I'm just not making sense of the serial number and date.

It is a parkerized revolver, smooth grips, 4" bbl. Marked "38 S&W SPECIAL CTG" on the left side of the barrel, "SMITH & WESSON" on the rigjt side of the bbl. It has the patent info on top of the barrel.

The left side of top strap is marked "US PROPERTY GHD"

The SN# is SV 795838 on the butt of gun. The underside of the barrel, cylinder, and inside of the smooth walnut grip bear this number as well.

The side plate bears an "S" mark. The other side of the frame has a "P" at the top of the frame near the cylinder window.

The ejector rod appears to be blued, and there is a tiny dark spot above the grips that look like it may have been blued?

Any thoughts or assistance y'all could lend on the matter would sure be appreciated!

Edited after reading this thread again. It all makes much more sense after a short nap and letting the information soak in a bit. Apparently, it would been later...June...July in 1945? Like...one of the last to go to the miltary?

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Hello Shrek:

Yes, your date of shipment would most likely have been in the June-July, 1945 time frame. Not very far from the end of Victory production. Your Victory likely shipped to the US Navy. The blued ejector rod is correct.


From the excellent pics and description you provided it appears to be in excellent condition. Your son has given you a wonderful gift. Enjoy it.

Regards,
Charlie

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Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

Hi S&W Experts, I have read this entire post and some of the additional links, and have learned a lot. Thanks for the detailed responses. I am considering this Victory to add to my "Aussie Collection" but can't inspect in person and would appreciate any observations. V378957 serial number so I guess late 1943/1944? 38S&W with no indication it was rechambered - I have seen other Aussie versions with clear stamps where rechambered to 38SP. "US Property GHD" on top strap which seems appropriate given serial number. I can't see Flaming Bomb on butt - could it be on top strap? It was FTR in Australia in 1954, and has the broad arrow stamps. I can't find the three "P" proof stamps from the photos. Matching serial numbers. It is import marked by Vega. It also appears to have a heavier-than-normal parkerized finish - is this factory, Aussie FTR, or bubba? Thanks so much.

Hello Naglo68:

The Victory you are considering appears to be typical of the large lot of Australian guns that were brought back to the USA in the 1990's.

The flaming bomb (called the "Shell and Flame" insignia by the Ordnance Department) was applied on the left top strap. It sometimes is difficult to detect after a refinish.

The finish is indeed a refinish. The original was Black Magic. The FTR process employed by the Aussies appears to have resulted in most of them getting a new type of finish that is similar to parkerizing, but seems a bit darker, almost charcoal in color. The finish appears to be correct for the Australian FTR process.

The stocks are probably not numbered to the gun based upon the way they fit in the photo you supplied.

I hope that information is helpful to you.

Regards,
Charlie

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Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

Hi Charlie, Thanks for review and the history lesson on Aussie finishes. I also noticed the grips seemed to sit high, but didn’t know. It is nice to have a visual baseline. Cheers,
Geoff

I received my 5 inch Victory model today in .38 S&W. Left top strap is stamped *UNITED STATES PROPERTY*
On the front of the bottom of the Butt is a very small P a flaming bomb and what looks like a B the long straight portion of the B is parallel to the left side of the grip frame. The serial Number is V127026 and is on the back end of the Cylinder and on the bottom of the barrel between the cylinder pin lock and the frame when the cylinder is open. I do not see any other marking other than the import stamp S&W Crest Made in USA and the standard Barrel marking. Are any other proof marks or acceptance stamps likely to be under the grips?