Quick question.
I am looking at a US NAVY marked victory. Serial number he gave is V119xxx (he wouldn't give last three numbers of the serial). The gun is cosmetically challenged with little to no finish left, but not pitted or rusted. No lanyard. Standard wood stocks. No proof marks so it never left stateside.
Is the Navy marked victory worth more than the standard victory?
Without pictures, what should a fair price be?
Thanks,
Hank

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Hank
SWCA 2945

You're mixing two things up here. This would be a .38 Special US version (it better be if it's NAVY marked), and there would not be any of the British commercial proofs seen on BSR's. It could still have gone anywhere in the world with US forces.

To most collectors, yes, at least more than the US PROPERTY GHD marked guns. But beware, Navy markings are the most popularly faked, probably because shortest. I don't have a genuine Navy Victory, but I believe it still should have the flaming bomb and other standard proof marks.

Difficult to say without pictures. How familiar are you with the wartime phosphate finish? Based on your description, less than $300, but I've rarely seen a Victory with "very little finish left"; people usually mistake the original finish for patina or wear (it was pretty ugly when new) and think the blue has worn off; unless your description is based on having held the gun in your hands, it may be in better condition than described.

Most likely shipped Sep/Oct 1942. Without seeing the gun it is extremely difficult to assess value. The fact the finish is so bad, the lanyard ring is missing is a pretty common condition with these guns. They were used. The fact the lanyard ring is missing may indicate it was removed to install some other type of frame covering stock. That makes me wonder if the stocks that are on it are original to the gun, another determining factor for value. All other things being in good condition, bore, no bulges, no excessive wear, end shake, lockup or push off, the gun as described is probably a $350 to $400. Generally the U.S. NAVY marked guns command a higher value, but not always.........

My demilitarized US NAVY


And, no, the grips are not original to this gun.

" No proof marks so it never left stateside."
How did you reach that conclusion?

Even though Navy-marked revolvers are not particularly uncommon, they can command a little premium if in top condition. Seems that this one is far from that condition. At least it is in the right SN range to be a Navy-marked gun.

Sorry, we just don't know enough about this Victory to make anything but a wild guess as to a typical value. Maybe $250-$400. I don't think I'd fall in love with it.

I checked Pate's book about the markings on the U.S. NAVY marked guns. Apparently, until the last batches of those in early 1943 (after March 1943 the Navy continued to get Victorys, but through the Army Supply Program with US PROPERTY mark), those guns with the U.S. NAVY topstrap mark did not receive any other ordnance markings or military proofs.
As I mentioned, you want to be careful with a Navy marking. In your particular serial region, the low 100,000's, from late 1942 and early 1943, were a lot of DSC and US Maritime Commission guns that shipped without any topstrap markings, although they usually had the flaming bomb on the butt. Now the gun you're looking at is not a high-value collector item in any case, but you should find yourself some pictures of genuine Navy stamped topstraps (search the forum or Gunbroker) so you have a chance to recognize a fake.

Here is my US Navy marked Victory model serial # 2298XX that shows
the original rather black finish and the standard case finished hammer
and trigger. The extractor rod had the traditional blued finish. The
finish, called "Black Magic" I think, was a bit thin originally. It is
simply marked "US Navy" on the top strap and doesn't have any other
military markings or proofmarks. The grips are not original but the gun
is in good shooter grade with some very light freckling of the finish
overall.

Attached Images

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This one is V30617 - shipped July 1942

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Ash

Here is the best pics he could supply..I will have hands on it this morning...What do you think? Original or not?
Hank

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Hank
SWCA 2945

Looks original to me. The U.S. NAVY stamp is good to go. I'm amazed how much of the wartime finish has worn off. That stuff usually lasted forever. Its still a good example of an as issued wartime weapon.

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Ash

From the appearance of the topstrap stamping, its condition, and the serial number, it's likely original. Who would bother doing forgery for a revolver in such low cosmetic condition? I might consider re-phosphating it. DIY kits are available, and it's not that difficult to do. It won't hurt the value any.

I got this one, also Navy stamped, in about the same condition as the one you are looking at. This is after I bead blasted and restored the phosphate finish.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

My feeling exactly. The guy wasn't exaggerating when he said little to no finish left. One doesn't see one like this very often. But the stamp looks good.

You never mentioned how much the asking price is, but it should definitely be below $300. Any more, and there are simply too many other Victory models out there to be had with much more retained original finish; the Navy stamp isn't THAT special to compensate value for the condition.

I met with the owner today and had the gun in my hand. Nothing spectacular about it other than US NAVY stamped. He was asking $400. I offered $280, which I felt was fair. He countered with $300, but I let it go. There are too many out there and I can put that money towards the next one I come cross.
Hank

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Hank
SWCA 2945

If the mechanics were good and the stocks numbered to the gun, I think I woulda paid $300, but it's not like you let a Registered Magnum walk . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I think $300 is a fair price, and I would probably have taken him up on it, with refinishing in mind. It would be an excellent project gun at that price.

I'm not versed as to the serial numbers and manfacturing dates of the
Victory models. Does anyone know when my Victory model pictured
above, #V2298XX, was most likely made? Thanks in advance.

Most likely Jan/Feb 1943 time frame.

The closest SN on my list to yours is V2274xx which shipped in 1/43. Manufacture could have occurred perhaps a month or so earlier. Guns didn't spend much time in factory inventory during WWII.