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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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Old 05-01-2017, 10:02 PM
automan71 automan71 is offline
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Default 38 Victory model

I have a buddy with an old victory model 38. He was interested in finding out year of mfg. Serial # is in pic. I think it's been refinished as well. Still a cool old piece. Thanks in advance!
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Old 05-01-2017, 10:12 PM
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I can't make out much from the photo of the whole gun, as it is too small a file size.

But the butt is a strange one. The digit between the V and the 2, I guess an odd-shaped 1, looks squeezed in after the fact. I'm also not sure whether there are any digits washed out to the right of the 5. And the W, which is known but not yet AFAIK fully explained, is much smaller than usual, plus the guy who struck the flaming bomb almost missed the metal.

But if it is a four-digit number after the V, the gun is from summer 1942. What serial is stamped on the cylinder and the underside of the barrel? That would clear up the butt number, as it should match.

Last edited by Absalom; 05-01-2017 at 10:13 PM.
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Old 05-01-2017, 10:26 PM
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Barrel and cylinder stamped V. 12658.

Cylinder also has England stamped on it.

I apologize for the back and forth, but gun is not in my possession. He is relaying info and pics by text message.

Last edited by automan71; 05-01-2017 at 10:29 PM.
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Old 05-01-2017, 11:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by automan71 View Post
Barrel and cylinder stamped V. 12658.

Cylinder also has England stamped on it.
.......
Aha. So the 1 is legit, but I was right about an additional digit .

This number still places the gun in 1942, just a few months later.

Now the ENGLAND stamp is significant. This would normally indicate a British Service model. These had 5" barrels, which is longer than what the gun looks like in your first picture. Find out whether the barrel is stamped 38 S&W CTG or 38 S&W SPECIAL CTG.
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Old 05-01-2017, 11:18 PM
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Yep. You were right! Lol

Barrel it marked 38 S&W Special.

Also, I had him check cylinder throats, and he said they are more toward the front end of the cylinder. Which should indicate 38spl as well

Yes, it appears to be a 4" barrel in pic. Will measure it to verify.

Last edited by automan71; 05-01-2017 at 11:19 PM.
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Old 05-01-2017, 11:30 PM
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Barrel measures at 4"
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Old 05-01-2017, 11:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by automan71 View Post
Barrel and cylinder stamped V. 12658.

Cylinder also has England stamped on it.

I apologize for the back and forth, but gun is not in my possession. He is relaying info and pics by text message.
That number is from Aug 1942.
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Old 05-01-2017, 11:56 PM
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Too bad they filled in the swivel hole but still looks to be a keeper.
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Old 05-02-2017, 12:06 AM
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I'm still learning about these older model revolvers. I know a refinish takes away from the value., but what would something like this be worth?
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Old 05-02-2017, 01:05 AM
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Quote:
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I'm still learning about these older model revolvers. I know a refinish takes away from the value., but what would something like this be worth?
A .38 Special US Victory that went to Britain (if that's what it turns out to be) has a certain curiosity bonus because there weren't a lot of those; most were 5" British models in .38 S&W. But refinished it still won't over-excite collectors, so even if it is tight and in good condition as a shooter, you're probably looking at the 300s range at most.
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Old 05-02-2017, 08:59 AM
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As always, I appreciate everyone's input. This place is definitely a treasure trove of useful information. I seem to learn something new every time I visit the site.

I will be on the look out for an unfinished model of the Victory for my own collection.

Thanks again guys!
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Old 05-03-2017, 11:41 AM
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Another question on this...What was the original finish on these revolvers? Parkerized, matte blue, some other finish?
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Old 05-03-2017, 12:21 PM
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By the summer of 1942, the finish would have been a phosphate type called Military Midnight Black. It would strongly resemble Parkerizing, but it wasn't the same.
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Old 05-03-2017, 01:26 PM
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In the next issue of the S&WCA Journal (I think), Roy plans to publish a report from S&W to the Ordnance Dept. that makes it clear what finishes were used on Victory Models. It will surprise a lot of folks. There is a lot of confusion on this issue and I hope the official documentation settles it.
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Old 05-03-2017, 03:48 PM
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I was asking because, i thought, what if this gun, that my friend thought might be refinished, actually isn't? I haven't been able to look at it in person. I've only seen a few pics he's sent.
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Old 05-03-2017, 04:05 PM
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From your pictures, it has been refinished by polishing and bluing.
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Old 05-03-2017, 04:15 PM
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That's what I figured. I don't now much about these older revolvers, but I'm learning.
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Old 05-03-2017, 04:23 PM
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Quote:
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From your pictures, it has been refinished by polishing and bluing.
I most certainly second that. The reflection of the light especially in the third picture is much too shiny for any of the utility finishes, including the "brush blue" etc., and that serial is definitely much too late for a commercial polished blue.
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