Hello. I have a Victory revolver V7435xx, 5-1/2” barrel, with British proof marks and “Not English Made”. The barrel is stamped “38 S. & W. CTG”. The cylinder is longer than the one on my Webley MkIV and indeed .38 Special cartridges fit handily. I know the bullet diameter is different, .357” vs .361”.

Can mild .38 Special be safely fired through this Victory revolver. So far it has handled .38 S&W and .38/200 without incident.

Thanks.


- gonzo, SoCenPA. "Before all else, be armed." --Niccolo Machiavelli

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-gonzo, SoCenPA.

If .38 Special fits, the cylinder has been converted by reaming and yes, you can.

The K-frame cylinder and frame were originally dimensioned for the length of the .38 Special and .32-20. When the British wanted them in .38 S&W, all remained the same except the chambers and barrels were bored differently. But all external dimensions remained identical, so the cylinder is longer than needed for the .38 S&W and thus longer than those on .38 Webleys or Enfields (which therefore are not suited to conversion).

Thanks.

Could the cylinder have been .38 Special when it was manufactured and sent over?

I ask because the gun was apparently used by the Luneburg police department in the British Zone and I wonder if they would have stayed with the .38/200 British ammo or possible have obtained US .38 Special to use in it.


- gonzo, SoCenPA. "Before all else, be armed." --Niccolo Machiavelli

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-gonzo, SoCenPA.

That is highly unlikely. The German police BSR’s in the British zone were all issued (on loan only) by the British authorities out of their military stocks as .38 S&W, and returned that way to the British in the early 1950s.

Boring out the chambers, on the other hand, was the most common modification to tens of thousands of these after re-import to the US, to make them more sellable to US shooters where the .38 Special was much more widespread and easy to obtain.

Guns were parted out and cylinders from US Victorys were occasionally installed in British frames here; you can check the serial on the cylinder face against the butt serial; they should match.

Great information. Thank you very much. I’ll verify the cylinder serial but the original British proofs are present so I believe the cylinder is original.

What is a “BSR”?

- gonzo, SoCenPA. "Before all else, be armed." --Niccolo Machiavelli

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-gonzo, SoCenPA.

British Service Revolver.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Doh! I’m elderly, I have an excuse!

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-gonzo, SoCenPA.

2 Victory threads tonight , ZERO pictures.

Rats.

Mine was parkerized before I bought it. Well done, though. I saw the ‘before’ photos and it was rough. I’m not a big wheel gun guy but I do collect gun models used by German police forces, and this one was used by the Lüneburg, Lower Saxony department during the British Occupation.




- gonzo, SoCenPA. "Before all else, be armed." --Niccolo Machiavelli

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-gonzo, SoCenPA.

How likely is it that my Victory has a .361 bore? How will that lessen the effectiveness of .38 Special ammo shot through it?

As an aside, I traded some 9mm for .38 Special today. Part of the fellow’s hoard was some vintage Remington and Winchester in 18-round boxes. I guessed it was law enforcement load-out, revolver and two speed loafers. Was I right

And another museum piece.

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-gonzo, SoCenPA.

Does yours in fact chamber 38 Special? If it wasnt bored out, it wont/shouldnt.

If it was bored, chances are, the cases wont last real long, assuming you reload, as the 38 S&W cases are larger than the 38 Specials and they will fire form to the chambers and may cause splits. Not really a biggy if youre only shooting factory.

As far as 357 bullets shooting from a 361 bore, it will probably depend. Ive loaded lead SWC 357 bullets in 38 S&W cases and shot them, and at 10-15 yards they shot OK, but the POI was low for the sights.

If you do reload, Matts Bullets has more or less proper 200 grain bullets for the 38/200 load, and they do work well.