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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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  #2351  
Old 12-28-2020, 05:00 PM
triaxle triaxle is offline
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Default Victory 38 spl 4 in ??????

I have a real nice 4 inch ,38 spl ,has a round fact looking butt swivel, grips are smooth guns number is 9862xx on the butt and cyl face and barrel flat , good case color hammer and trigger , gun is not beat , rounded front sight blade ,top of barrel has smith Wesson Springfield patented feb,sept dec29,14 ,its in two line fine print . nice smooth parked finish and looks legit . what is it ? I had it for a good while never fired it , nice gun .
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Old 12-28-2020, 05:33 PM
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It sounds like a .38 M&P made in 1942 before the V series serials began. US butt swivels were semi-rectangular. It could have a British swivel on it. Pictures please.
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  #2353  
Old 12-28-2020, 05:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by triaxle View Post
I have a real nice 4 inch ,38 spl ,has a round fact looking butt swivel, grips are smooth guns number is 9862xx on the butt and cyl face and barrel flat , good case color hammer and trigger , gun is not beat , rounded front sight blade ,top of barrel has smith Wesson Springfield patented feb,sept dec29,14 ,its in two line fine print . nice smooth parked finish and looks legit . what is it ? I had it for a good while never fired it , nice gun .
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It sounds like a .38 M&P made in 1942 before the V series serials began. US butt swivels were semi-rectangular. It could have a British swivel on it. Pictures please.
Like he said "Pictures please". Pictures or it didn't happen..........
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Old 12-28-2020, 07:31 PM
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I have no clue how to post a photo ,I tried to give as much info on it ,38 spl S.W. special CTG on right side of barrel knurled ejector rod end . the lanyard ring looks right with the rest of the gun but its kind of heavy duty looking ???????????????? and does not look redone but its real clean shape .
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Old 12-28-2020, 08:10 PM
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i also have a victory and don't know how to add pictures, i feel your pain triaxel........
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  #2356  
Old 12-28-2020, 08:24 PM
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Pictures are uploaded to the site as attachments. To do this, copy the pictures to your computer into a folder you can navigate to. Size them to no larger than 1920x1080 pixels or you'll experience problems. When you are ready to post up to 5 pictures per post, scroll down below the text box and click on Go Advanced. On the upper row of icons, click on the paper clip icon. Then, select up to 5 pictures and upload them to your post.


This is what a .38 Special Victory revolver looks like.


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Last edited by Wiregrassguy; 12-28-2020 at 08:26 PM.
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Old 12-28-2020, 09:47 PM
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The gun is a perfect copy of the one in that photo but has a nice round lanyard that spins around ,it just a tadd smaller than a penny around , looks like it went with the gun from day one .all number match but no GHD . or Navy Prop or US anywhere .
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Old 12-28-2020, 09:49 PM
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It also has the same ejector rod but looks blackish blue maybe comparied to the park color of the gun .the hammer and trigger still have the case colors not worn to a silver dull look yet .had this gun maybe 8to 9 yr .
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Old 12-31-2020, 01:18 PM
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It looks like a dead end on this one right now , One of you guys could send my e mail your cell , I can get my daughter to photo and send to you to post . I still use a old flip phone ????????????? [email protected]
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Old 01-03-2021, 03:13 PM
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I just checked and the grips had mating number faint stamped in but you could still see , also C on grip frame and a number 1 up high on frame strap this is on the left, right frame had J & H kind of off a little also two small fact looking punch marks side by side up high on grip strap edge . with grips on you can see none of this ???????
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Old 01-03-2021, 04:12 PM
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triaxle, those stamps on the grip frame are probably fitters marks or inspector stamps.
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Old 01-03-2021, 07:44 PM
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I just happen to look at the gun with the grips off , and could see them and wanted to add more info .
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  #2363  
Old 01-03-2021, 11:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by triaxle View Post
It also has the same ejector rod but looks blackish blue maybe comparied to the park color of the gun .the hammer and trigger still have the case colors not worn to a silver dull look yet .had this gun maybe 8to 9 yr .
Do keep in mind that the one in Guy’s picture is refinished. On originals, the ejector rod is standard black-blue, the difference to the barrel above it clearly discernible.
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Old 01-04-2021, 07:56 PM
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My ejector rod is just like , Absalom `s 38
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  #2365  
Old 01-05-2021, 11:18 AM
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Here are Triaxle's pictures.



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Old 01-05-2021, 11:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy View Post
Here are Triaxle's pictures.
Thanks for getting the pictures up, Guy!

I‘m not putting money on anything, but my opinion favors a very nice overall restoration and refinish, especially since the serial makes it an early-war gun. It could be the light, but the yellowish hue of the parkerizing does not look like the sandblast Black Magic. The grip panels look completely pristine, not even storage dings we usually see on unissued guns. And the lanyard ring is indeed a standard British ring, not the original.

PS: I just looked at your previous posts and you said that all numbers match. Does this include the stocks?

Last edited by Absalom; 01-05-2021 at 11:41 AM.
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  #2367  
Old 01-05-2021, 07:12 PM
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Yes they do , barrel flat, cylinder , all the ones I found did, there are a few dings on the grips nothing major , check out the ejector rod it looks right .I do not see any type tint to the finish . I think the right stock had the numbers , they were on there for a while by the way they looked
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Old 01-05-2021, 07:15 PM
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I think I had this maybe 9 or 10 years , maybe I should get the other lanyard ring . Thanks for posting .
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Old 01-05-2021, 07:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by triaxle View Post
Yes they do , barrel flat, cylinder , all the ones I found did, there are a few dings on the grips nothing major , check out the ejector rod it looks right .I do not see any type tint to the finish . I think the right stock had the numbers , they were on there for a while by the way they looked
Stock numbers never look good as long as they match. If in normal daylight the gun looks gray-black like the one in the picture I posted, the yellow-green tint in your pictures is just the result of the lighting. Then it just leaves the question how an early gun survived the war looking brand-new but ending up with a British lanyard loop.
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Old 01-05-2021, 08:16 PM
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I was thinking the same thing , maybe it was removed and some place along the line this one was put on ??? The grips do not look refinished and are not rounded from sanding or any thing . I have a old but nice tan victory 38 shoulder rig dated Boyt MRT 1962 that I hang it in .from time to time .
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Old 01-06-2021, 05:56 AM
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Wire Grass thanks for the posting the photos ,
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Old 01-06-2021, 10:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by triaxle View Post
I think I had this maybe 9 or 10 years , maybe I should get the other lanyard ring . Thanks for posting .
It is possible the British lanyard loop has a larger diameter shank and the butt has had the hole drilled out. Luckily, original lanyard loops are inexpensive, so if it doesn't fit, you could resell it here.
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Old 01-06-2021, 03:28 PM
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Can you just change the loop ? I will look at this , when I looked at the grips there was a pin folded on a piece of real old brown tape stored under the grips . maybe I should get the right loop or just get the whole stud and loop combo .
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Old 01-06-2021, 04:20 PM
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triaxle, go here and buy the butt swivel.
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Old 01-07-2021, 03:30 PM
G.A. Rempel G.A. Rempel is offline
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Good morning,
Another Victory Model for the database, serial number V705505 in .38 S&W. All matching numbers, 5" barrel, also stamped US PROPERTY GHD on top strap. Very good plus condition. Located in Canada. Thanks, Gerry
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Old 01-12-2021, 10:16 PM
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Default Smith & Wesson Victory Model .38 S&W

I recently purchased a Smith & Wesson Victory Model that can be added to the data base. This is a .38/200 British Service Revolver made for the Lend Lease Program, matching serial numbers #V136764 on the bottom of the gun butt, rear face of cylinder, rear face of yoke and bottom of barrel. I cannot locate a serial number on the backside of the extractor star. The stocks appear to be period correct but the serial number (380298) does not match to this gun.
-Top Left Strap: "United States Property".
-Left Side of barrel: "SMITH & WESSON".
-Left Side of frame: Under cylinder (importer) "VEGA SAC CA.", back strap under grip "V".
-Right Side of barrel: ".38 S&W CTG".
-Right Side of frame:
"D (arrow) D"
"MADE IN U.S.A."
"FTR/MA 53"
"(arrow) underlined "M"?
"23"
"L"
Yoke: "87878"
Frame Inside Yoke: "87878" with a "4" above it.
-Bottom of grip frame: SN "V136764", "WB", "8", small "P".

Barrel is 5" and bore appears to be in "like new" condition. I have confirmed that the cylinder will take .38 S&W cartridges but will NOT accept .38 S&W Special cartridges, so it appears that no one attempted to convert it to .38 S&W Special.

It is my understanding that the markings indicate this gun went to Australia and a "Factory Thorough Repair" was done at the Australian arsenal in 1953. If anyone can provide more information about this gun, like the manufacturing date, confirmation and or corrections of my understanding or other information, I would greatly appreciate your feedback.
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File Type: jpg S&W Victory (16).jpg (176.6 KB, 43 views)
File Type: jpg S&W Victory (4).jpg (77.1 KB, 41 views)
File Type: jpg S&W Victory (9).jpg (76.1 KB, 41 views)
File Type: jpg S&W Victory (17).jpg (167.6 KB, 38 views)
File Type: jpg S&W Victory (7).jpg (77.5 KB, 41 views)
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Old 01-12-2021, 10:52 PM
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Triaxle ,

If I were in your shoes I would not be in a hurry to swap out the lanyard ring assembly , especially if it is of the same vintage as the revolver , albeit British. While it is probably not original to the gun , the replacement you buy will not be either.

Any and all speculation about who installed that ring , and why he did it , will end with the upgrade.

At the very least I would hold out for an original rather than repro. (if such an item is available...?)

That's my $.02. It's your gun.
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Old 01-12-2021, 11:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G.A. Rempel View Post
Good morning,
Another Victory Model for the database, serial number V705505 in .38 S&W. All matching numbers, 5" barrel, also stamped US PROPERTY GHD on top strap. Very good plus condition. Located in Canada. Thanks, Gerry
Thank you, Gerry. This one is now in the Database.
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  #2379  
Old 01-12-2021, 11:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R61414 View Post
....
It is my understanding that the markings indicate this gun went to Australia and a "Factory Thorough Repair" was done at the Australian arsenal in 1953. If anyone can provide more information about this gun, like the manufacturing date, confirmation and or corrections of my understanding or other information, I would greatly appreciate your feedback.
Thank you, very thorough write-up.

You do indeed have a Lend-Lease Victory that ended up in Australian hands. V 136764 would have most likely originally shipped in later 1942, October or November.

The FTR occurred at Lithgow Small Arms Factory (MA) in 1953. The gun was re-imported to the US by Vega Arms in the late 1980s; these were generally not converted and are found in their original .38 S&W.

I do believe that your gun was re-refinished once more after the FTR. The finish it has now, while actually closer in appearance to the original Victory finish, does not match the texture of the Lithgow job. Also the trigger and hammer appear to have been polished. Finally, your close-up of the FTR markings shows them clearly UNDER the finish; the Lithgow stamps went on top of their finish and always show white through; see my attached example.


Victory data base-cf625142-d40d-4c36-8d8e-d14a6028c8af-jpg

Victory data base-e6fabf83-ab9a-4143-9d21-fcfdb1e72b43-jpg
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File Type: jpg CF625142-D40D-4C36-8D8E-D14A6028C8AF.jpg (40.8 KB, 316 views)
File Type: jpg E6FABF83-AB9A-4143-9D21-FCFDB1E72B43.jpg (83.8 KB, 319 views)

Last edited by Absalom; 01-12-2021 at 11:28 PM.
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Old 01-12-2021, 11:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by R61414 View Post
It is my understanding that the markings indicate this gun went to Australia and a "Factory Thorough Repair" was done at the Australian arsenal in 1953. If anyone can provide more information about this gun, like the manufacturing date, confirmation and or corrections of my understanding or other information, I would greatly appreciate your feedback.
I think you already have a very good handle on your revolver. It is indeed an Australian example that was brought back to the USA in the 1990s by the importer Vega Arms of Sacramento, CA. From the Database I can estimate for you that your revolver likely shipped from the factory in the October-November, 1942 time frame.

HTH.
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Old 01-13-2021, 04:56 PM
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Default S&W Victory Model

Absalom & Ordnance Guy,

Thank you for your prompt responses and insight. I think Absalom is probably correct about the gun being refinished sometime after FTR. Both of you really know your S&W's and have a keen eye for details the many of us would miss. I greatly appreciate you sharing your knowledge and perspective.

While my gun is not a U.S. Military Victory Model, which I knew when I bought it, and has probably been refinished twice since WWII, I am still proud to own it. I am happy to add it to my collection of WWII firearms Remington manufactured 1903 Springfield, Springfield manufactured M1 Garand, Inland manufactured M1 Carbine, Union Switch & Signal manufactured 1911 A1 and Ithaca manufactured 1911 A1 that I pick up at my LGS this evening.
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Old 01-13-2021, 07:23 PM
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I was not really thinking on changing it out, I have found a few through . That's how the gun was when I got it just like the photo Wire Grass was nice enough to post .
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Old 01-13-2021, 07:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tphilly88 View Post
Thank you both. I was aware the British gun was refinished, but at least its a tasteful refinish. Any idea on the "W" on the butt of the victory?
You may want to have this gun lettered. I had a Victory model once with that same sideways W and was told it could possibly be an O.S.S. gun. I had it lettered and it was an O.S.S. gun. Shipped to United States Strategic Service (O.S.S.) in Aug of 1944.
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Old 01-19-2021, 03:34 PM
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Default New User, New Revolver

Just picked up .38 S&W Victory Model. Serial number is V 386263. Would love to know the year of this if you don't mind.

Last edited by sfrye5853; 01-19-2021 at 04:29 PM.
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Old 01-19-2021, 06:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sfrye5853 View Post
Just picked up .38 S&W Victory Model. Serial number is V 386263. Would love to know the year of this if you don't mind.
It shipped most likely around September 1943.
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Old 01-19-2021, 09:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KEN L View Post
You may want to have this gun lettered. I had a Victory model once with that same sideways W and was told it could possibly be an O.S.S. gun. I had it lettered and it was an O.S.S. gun. Shipped to United States Strategic Service (O.S.S.) in Aug of 1944.

Nice! Just might do that and see what turns up.
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Old 01-25-2021, 10:51 PM
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Default Victory land lease but runs .38 Special

Came across this one with Serial number: V144369. Has the G.H.D. and P marking. There are some marking on the barrel that look to be British Crown.
Question:
1.Year of this revolver?
2.If most if not all the British land lease ones are .38-200, has this one been refinished to .38 Special?
3. Following on the logic above, does this look like it has been reblued or modified in other ways?
Thank you for your time and counsel.
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Old 01-26-2021, 12:18 AM
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I took your quote apart; answers below each question.

Came across this one with Serial number: V144369.

1.Year of this revolver?

Produced in late fall 1942. The post war Birmingham proofs on the barrel mean it was surplused in Britain before 1955.

2.If most if not all the British land lease ones are .38-200, has this one been refinished to .38 Special?

You‘ll have to check the chamber by inserting a live .38 Special round. They didn‘t usually mark them after converting as that happened after service. The .38 S&W CTG is the .38/200, in case you‘re unclear on that; S&W did not mark these .38/200.

3. Following on the logic above, does this look like it has been reblued or modified in other ways?

Yes. The 5“ barrel has been cut, the front sight reattached, and the gun reblued. In the V-prefix series, there were no 4“ barreled guns made in .38 S&W. And the finish is much too polished and not the sandblast Victory finish.

Last edited by Absalom; 01-26-2021 at 12:23 AM.
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Old 01-26-2021, 01:34 AM
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Thank you Absalom!

I got to check the chamber, a .38 special round fits. This actually was part of the reason that prompted me to seek opinion on how heavily modified this one has been. Because I thought all British one would be .38-200. And a .38 special fitting it was odd.

On the rebluing, is there a chance that earlier models were blued instead of the more common sandblast finish? Or is it true that any production from Fall of 1942 would have been sandblast finish?

At the same time, since it was cut to 4" from 5", maybe that's why they reblued it after the cutting? For education, how do you decern the front sight is reattached? I would have never caught that one. Aside from thinking the 4" barrel on a Brisith model was a little odd.

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Old 01-26-2021, 03:05 AM
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On the rebluing, is there a chance that earlier models were blued instead of the more common sandblast finish?

None whatsoever. The rough sandblast surface finish was adopted in spring 1942, before the actual Victory V-series actually started, and remained the only finish used until the end.

For education, how do you decern the front sight is reattached? I would have never caught that one.....[/QUOTE]

I actually didn‘t catch that by itself, it was the inevitable deduction from the shortened barrel, which is clear not just from knowing that no 4“ barrels were used at that time in .38 S&W, but also that the position of the caliber stamping on the barrel corresponds to a 5“ barrel; it‘s further back on an original 4“ barrel.
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Old 01-26-2021, 06:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Absalom View Post
On the rebluing, is there a chance that earlier models were blued instead of the more common sandblast finish?

None whatsoever. The rough sandblast surface finish was adopted in spring 1942, before the actual Victory V-series actually started, and remained the only finish used until the end.

For education, how do you decern the front sight is reattached? I would have never caught that one.....
I actually didn‘t catch that by itself, it was the inevitable deduction from the shortened barrel, which is clear not just from knowing that no 4“ barrels were used at that time in .38 S&W, but also that the position of the caliber stamping on the barrel corresponds to a 5“ barrel; it‘s further back on an original 4“ barrel.[/QUOTE]

Thank you again, this is invaluable info. And appreciate you sharing the knowledge and time. Will keep looking for a different (less modified) revolver.
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Old 02-14-2021, 11:40 AM
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Neat post on the milsurps forum about a squadron Victory serial number log. Maybe one of our members has one from the log. I have linked the post here and attached the two photos of the log.

Gun Log Naval Squadron Navy Victory .38




Last edited by joz; 02-14-2021 at 11:42 AM.
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Old 02-14-2021, 08:53 PM
samoyed samoyed is offline
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Wow. If only we could find gun logs for all the USN squadrons
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Old 02-15-2021, 03:05 PM
Artyldr01 Artyldr01 is offline
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I just acquired (well, still on layaway) this beautiful Lend-Lease Australian Victory model.

SN: V196042 (cylinder matches)
Assembly number: 19433 (also matching arm/frame)
G.H.D. on butt.
D/|\D FTR MA/53
Vega import.
38S&W caliber

I believe it is early 1942 but any better dating and potential unit affiliation, if possible, is appreciated.

I posted more photos on the Ejector model main page titled "Australian Victory Model pawn shop find"

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
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Old 02-18-2021, 01:50 PM
Alan00711 Alan00711 is offline
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Hi I just picked one up it’s serial number 863,281 with checkered grips with a silver medallion it has a 5 inch barrel and is in 38 special it has no us or any other country markings on it
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Old 02-22-2021, 06:53 PM
dsparker10000 dsparker10000 is offline
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I have two M&Ps from this period.


1) V96974, 4" barrel, 38 S&W Spl, Parkerized, "U.S.Navy" on top strap. My dad picked this up in 1967 but I don't have any other information.


2) 973313, 4" barrel, 38 S&W Spl, Parkerized. Seems to have been produced just prior to the victory series so not sure it belongs here. Given to my dad from his father in 1957. My grandfather was a sheriff around for some time before that, so maybe he used it as a service revolver? My dad's inventory lists this gun as "Civilian Victory Model".


David
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Old 02-22-2021, 10:04 PM
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.....
1) V96974, 4" barrel, 38 S&W Spl, Parkerized, "U.S.Navy" on top strap. My dad picked this up in 1967 but I don't have any other information.


2) 973313, 4" barrel, 38 S&W Spl, Parkerized. Seems to have been produced just prior to the victory series so not sure it belongs here. Given to my dad from his father in 1957. My grandfather was a sheriff around for some time before that, so maybe he used it as a service revolver? My dad's inventory lists this gun as "Civilian Victory Model".
Nice ones. The Victory finish isn't "parkerized", although it looks similar unless you spend a lot of time with utility finishes. The term is Sandblast Black Magic.

There is a remote possibility that the pre-Victory 973313 was actually parkerized, one of the 2187 guns so finished as a trial "around serial 980,000". But there is no way to really tell.

That gun could well have been a service gun. These were supplied to police agencies during the war as well as afterwards as surplus, and also bought surplus by frugal officers required to provide their own sidearms.
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Old 02-22-2021, 10:26 PM
KY1911 KY1911 is offline
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Just picked this up and I'm hoping someone could share a bit of info and history. Six inch barrel in 38S&W; bluing appears to be original. Not sure if grips are original, but they are fit to the frame perfectly. S/N 740765 - matching on frame, cylinder and barrel. "P" on the butt with serial #. Variety of British proofs (BV, BP, NP) as well as "Not English Made" stamped twice - once on barrel and once on frame. C with an up arrow proof on the frame. Crossed swords with an "E", "B" and "1" on the frame. Any thoughts? Thanks much.
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Old 02-22-2021, 10:50 PM
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....
Six inch barrel in 38S&W; bluing appears to be original. Not sure if grips are original, but they are fit to the frame perfectly. S/N 740765 - matching on frame, cylinder and barrel. "P" on the butt with serial #. Variety of British proofs (BV, BP, NP) as well as "Not English Made" stamped twice - once on barrel and once on frame. C with an up arrow proof on the frame. Crossed swords with an "E", "B" and "1" on the frame. Any thoughts? Thanks much.
Interesting gun.

It’s originally from spring 1941, likely March/April, and was deliverd to Canada likely on a direct-purchase contract, but possibly through the British Purchasing Commission. That’s where it got the Canadian military property stamp arrow/C. But it ended its career in Britain or at least in the hands of a British surplus dealer who had it commercially proofed at Birmingham for sale in 1954; those are the proofs on the barrel and frame, including the crossed-sceptres viewmark (E=1954).

The stocks are earlier, 1920s non-medallion M&P stocks.
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Old 02-22-2021, 10:55 PM
KY1911 KY1911 is offline
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Thanks very much for the quick reply and info. Fascinating.
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