Help Identifying Production Date

kokalyjp · #1 01-13-2018, 09:45 PM

I purchased a 38 Special Victory Model, refinished, with a polished finish on the hammer and trigger. It also has after market (Vintage?) Sambar grips. It is marked with a small Austrian Police shield on the left side of the frame.
The last piece of the puzzle is identifying when this was this manufactured.

My Standard Catalog of S&W gives me a range from 1942 - 1945. Can anyone help me narrow this down a little closer?

The Serial Number is V543XXX. Any help would be welcomed.

Muley Gil · #2 01-13-2018, 10:19 PM

Welcome to the Forum.

It appears your revolver has been refinished. Standard finish for these Victories was a type of Parkerizing. Does it say .38 S&W CTG on the other side of the barrel? Has the lanyard loop hole on the butt been plugged?

Someone with more knowledge than I will be along soon to pin down a date for you.

Absalom · #3 01-13-2018, 10:43 PM

It does indeed appear to be an ex-British Service model of the Victory. The serial puts it in spring 1944, maybe May/June or so.

It was definitely refinished and equipped with new grips after being retired from service.

Originally, it would have looked like the gun in the attached picture. This one is just a few months younger, V 604454; shipped early August 1944.

JP@AK · #4 01-13-2018, 10:52 PM

Yes, a refinished BSR - not too exciting. But I wonder about those stocks. They certainly didn't come on this gun, but are they antler? I rather think they have the look of being real (he says "Sambar," so maybe) but the sheen on the stock circle might mean plastic. Curious minds want to know . . .

kokalyjp · #5 01-13-2018, 11:11 PM

The grips are definitely Antler and I've had them checked out and they are from an Elk/Deer species indigenous to India.

It does say .38 S&W CTG on the barrel but will chamber a .38 Special cartridge.

Interestingly the lanyard loop is missing but the hole is not plugged.

It may not be collectable but for $300 that I paid, it will be an interesting addition to my budding collection.
Thank you all for your help.

kokalyjp · #6 01-13-2018, 11:14 PM

The grips are definitely Antler and I've had them checked out and they are from an Elk/Deer species indigenous to India.

It does say .38 S&W CTG on the barrel but will chamber a .38 Special cartridge.

Interestingly the lanyard loop is missing but the hole is not plugged.

It may not be collectable but for $300 that I paid, it will be an interesting addition to my budding collection.
Thank you all for your help.

DWalt · #7 01-13-2018, 11:42 PM

V543xxx

On my list bracketing yours are V5371xx shipped 4/44 and V5492xx shipped 3/44. Yours should be around there.

Your BSR has reamed chambers to use .38 Special ammo. Very common, also removes any collector value. You have a $300 shooter, not terrible especially with those grips (if Sambar). You can find lanyard loops easily. Check eBay.

Muley Gil · #8 01-13-2018, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokalyjp

The grips are definitely Antler and I've had them checked out and they are from an Elk/Deer species indigenous to India.

It does say .38 S&W CTG on the barrel but will chamber a .38 Special cartridge.

Interestingly the lanyard loop is missing but the hole is not plugged.

It may not be collectable but for $300 that I paid, it will be an interesting addition to my budding collection.
Thank you all for your help.

Fired .38 special rounds may swell or split. Lanyard loops can be found on Numrich Gun Parts site.

Wiregrassguy · #9 01-14-2018, 01:00 PM

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass!

shouldazagged · #10 01-14-2018, 06:33 PM

Welcome aboard. Stick around, this is the best gun forum I've ever found.