Hi guys. Got a cool revolver with quite a recent story. We'll talk about the gun in a second. My bro-in-law inherited this from his step-father (who was in the navy in WWII) last year. Last Saturday, my bro-in-law managed to shoot himself in the knee with it. He's ok. It went in shallow above the knee and just glanced off his kneecap. Broke the kneecap but they put it back together. He'll be fine.

Because of that accident, I just became the owner of a very nice old 5-screw Smith Victory. Not perfect but nice. I'm here asking for help with ID, history, value, anything you can tell me. Many thanks in advance.

So here's what I have. SN: V148226. Frame, barrel, and cylinder sn's all match. US Navy on frame above cylinder. Cylinder yoke marked with 84201 and an S. Frame yoke marked with 84201 and an A. Back of the cylinder is marked with the SN, a V, and an S.

Has a cool old holster with it but not Navy marked. It is marked Brauer Bros Mfg, St. Louis, MO. I'm assuming that's not original to the pistol.

So please have a look at the pics and let me know what my new beauty can tell us.

Pics forthcoming in a minute.

Some people shouldn't handle firearms . It probably dates to early 1943. Looking forward to the photos.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Here are some pics. I'll try to get a good pic of the navy stamp but I have very good reason to believe it real.

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It appears correct for the US Navy issued Victory Model, except it has later (1945-'67) era Magna stocks. It would have had smaller, smooth walnut service stocks from the factory; these are easy to find to complete the look. The holster is also post-war, others here can probably tell its age.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Not a great picture, but as I say, I believe it to be real.

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A nice Navy-stamped Victory. As noted, the stocks are from somewhat later. Those of the correct smooth wood style can be had fairly easily if you so desire. Your SN dates its shipment from around November 1942. And you are correct in assuming the holster is not original. One important function of these revolvers was for naval aviators to use as emergency distress signalling devices through the use of tracer bullets.

My Navy VM is V77420 and shipped August of 1942. Gives an idea of how fast they were turning these out. About 71,000 units in 3 months.

I'm still trying to figure out how one shoots oneself with a DA revolver. How many safety rules must be violated to make that happen?

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No life story has happy end.