Odd-Ball "Victory" Model (???) for ID + Valuation

Valentiner · #1 09-20-2020, 04:36 AM

I say Victory Model ONLY because I DID see somewhere if the Ser. # begins with a V, it is. This one is V179XXX.

But, it doe NOT have a lanyard loop on the square butt, or, no stamp for United States Property or anything else.

This odd-ball revolver IS a K 5-screw K frame w/Strain Screw. Fixed sights with 5" barrel (4 7/8") chambered in the 38/200, Right side barrel marked 'K 38 S&W CTGR' (not just CTG). But, get this: It is NOT a re-worked gun for .38 spl, but it is stamped on the Left side frame 'CAL 38 SPECIAL' ~!!! (???).

Left side of barrel written like this: 38 . 767'
3 1/2 TONS

A total of 8 crown symbols over BNP; 2 + 6 on the cylinder.

And, some other symbol on Left side above trigger guard/front.

Also, it is the only V model I have yet seen with a shiny black finish; not flat black, other than under the grips.

And, speaking of, I doubt these plastic white/black streaked grips are OEM/stock, and hopefully someone stumbling across this thread can advise me on how to shop for more legit grips.

Finally, I have convinced myself thus far it IS 38 S&W (and not spl) because the .38 spl _+P loads sitting in the cylinder from the previous owner are loose by circa .5 mm +, whereas these same cartridges fit snuggly in the cylinder of my 64-1. (thank goodness this gun was not re-chambered OR ever fired with .38 spl or +P).

Any information appreciated; I don't know if I really want to sell this piece or not, but if so, what it would be worth. The finish looks pretty nice overall minus the shiny holster wear on the cylinder and end of barrel. Inner bores look smooth/shiny.

Thanks for the look~!

Wiregrassguy · #2 09-20-2020, 10:47 AM

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! That is a British Service revolver. The caliber stamp on the barrel is .38 S&W CTG. The characters before and after that are not K's but are called dingbats. They are decorative. The gun was refinished after it was released from service and modified to accept .38 Special. Ergo, the .38 Special stamp on the left side frame. At the time of refinish, the lanyard ring was removed and the hole filled before it was blued. The other stamps are British proof and other markings to allow it to be released to civilians. There are probably other things that experts here can tell you. Hope that helps.

Edit: The grips are jigged bone or faux jigged bone. Can't tell from the picture. Original grips are plain, round top walnut. There are many pictures here in the Victory thread.

Art Doc · #3 09-20-2020, 10:56 AM

Not sure why you think it isn't reworked when it is clearly stamped that it is reworked. It was reamed for the longer and smaller diameter 38 Special and was stamped on the frame to note this fact. The 38 Special is .357" bore and the 38 S&W is .360" hence the looseness of 38 Specials in the chambers. The bullets are equally loose in barrel. You can still shoot proper 38 S&W ammo and that's what I would do.

Absalom · #4 09-20-2020, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valentiner

.....But, get this: It is NOT a re-worked gun for .38 spl, but it is stamped on the Left side frame 'CAL 38 SPECIAL' ~!!! (???).

..... I don't know if I really want to sell this piece or not, but if so, what it would be worth.....

Guy has pretty much covered it. The gun was originally manufactured in late 1942 and would have left the factory looking like the one in the attached picture.

To emphasize again, it IS indeed a re-worked gun, or those .38 Specials wouldn‘t go all the way into the chambers. The marking on the left frame for .38 Special is encountered occasionally, and we don‘t know who applied that; the thinking is that it was only one specific converter/importer, because most converted guns are not marked.

As for value, somebody knowledgeable won‘t put more than a price in the 200s on it, since the modiification and refinish have removed all collector value. You can find these on auction sites with much higher asking prices.

two-bit cowboy · #5 09-20-2020, 12:05 PM

Welcome aboard from ol' Wyo.

Here are a few photos to depict Guy and Absalom's words.

Hope this helps, too.

Scharfschuetzer · #6 09-20-2020, 12:21 PM

My welcome to you too.

A whole bunch of Commonwealth Victory Models were brought back to the State in the early 90s as I recall. Most were in the 38/200 chambering.

Perhaps your revolver was from that bunch and was then modified. At the time, you could walk away with one for about a hundred dollars if memory serves.

Two-Bit Cowboy: Nice example photos of the difference in the two 38s. Where in Wyoming do you hail from? Let 'er buck!

DWalt · #7 09-20-2020, 01:14 PM

Grips are Franzite, made of plastic. Popular cheap replacement grips during the 50s-60s. There is no question that it is a rechambered BSR. I would imagine that the U. S. Property stamp may have been buffed off. Strange that there would not be at least a hole in the butt for a lanyard swivel. Value? Whatever you can get for it. It has no collectible value whatsoever.