I’m new to the forum and was wondering if you all could help me out. My father passed away recently and while cleaning out his house, I found a S&W revolver. I thought it was just a simple old revolver from maybe the 70s. But after I took it to my local gunsmith, he told me it was a Victory model that was produced during WW1/2. He told me the barrel had been chopped and a new front sight was added. He also said that whoever did the job did a pretty remarkable job. He said during the war the US had a loan/lease program with the British and a few other countries and that he believes it was a gun that was sent over there because there’s a stamp of a crown on the cylinder.
It’s not in great shape, has some rust pitting, but works like a charm. Any info I could possibly get on narrowing the manufacture date and value would greatly be appreciated.
Some more pics
Last edited by s&wchad; 10-20-2017 at 08:40 PM.
Reason: photos merged
Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! That is a Victory model British Service Revolver from about 1943. Someone who tracks these can give you a better date. It has been modified in England to a shorter barrel (was 5", now 3") and reamed to accept .38 Special cartridges. All those stampings on the barrel are proof stamps for when it was tested for .38 Special. It will also chamber .38 S&W which is what it was originally designed to shoot. The way the barrel was cut down is good because we often see these with the front locking lug cut off leaving the extractor rod unsupported. It appears to be in good condition except for the rust. Soak it in auto transmission fluid for a few days and rub the rust off with a copper chore boy pad or some brass wool. It probably also needs the action to be flushed with some brake/parts/carb aersol cleaner. Just spray it into the action through the hammer opening and let the debris flush out the trigger opening before you soak it in ATF.
Oh, your post will be moved from the Antiques over to the 1896 to 1961 Hand Ejector forum.
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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629
Last edited by Wiregrassguy; 10-20-2017 at 05:25 PM.
Your gunsmith is right, it is a converted Victory model, shortened barrel, lanyard removed and hole filled. The two caliber markings on the barrel lead me to believe that it was rechambered to .38 special. The serial number on the cylinder indicates that it is original.. When this is rechambered you will experience case swelling at the base of specials. Not an ideal situation. You could use .38 S&W without issues. Lots of threads on this subject as many were modified for resale in the US.
Be interesting to know who modified this one. These look like Birmingham nitro proofs, and it's not very common to see a British conversion proofed for .38 Special at Birmingham; the majority are C&H jobs, and they always proofed at the London proofhouse. Parker-Hale was located in Birmingham, but they usually put their trade-marked front sights on the conversions, and this doesn't look like one.
S&W Victory .38 special
Linear Mode
