I recently inherited what I believe to be a Victory model S&W. Serial # is V139XX. 38 cal. What is confusing me is barrel length is 2 1/4 inches and no markings on the barrel. Also it doesn't have a lanyard loop. I hope the pics uploaded. New to the forum and working from an outdated tablet. Thanks in advance for your help!

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Welcome! After WW II many thousands of British surplus .38/200 revolvers were modified like this one. With the barrel shortened the front locking point for the extractor rod and the barrel markings were lost.

In addition some were nickel plated, had plastic-stag like stocks and had the chambers lengthened to fit .38 Special. Since the original .38 S & W case is wider, fired .38 Special brass will usually swell and may crack.

A very few original 2" barrel .38 Special Victory Models were made.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Please copy any markings on the revolver. Look inside the crane and on the butt of the gun near the serial number.
Geoff
Who got that in before the real collectors...

Given that the gun sports the post-1947 knurled ejector rod, somebody MAY actually have switched out the cylinder assembly for a .38 Special. If you take a photo showing the inside of the chambers well-lighted, we could tell.

Inside crane is an U and the #s 60645 on the frame. 5790 9 on cylinder swing arm. No other markings on pistol that I can ��

Chamber picture, if you need a different angle or something let me know

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I think you can see where the original border of the .38 S & W case ends (about mid-way through each charge hole) and the extra distance for the .38 Special farther in. Since the serial number on the rear cylinder face matches the frame (I presume) the original part was modified.

Good call on the extractor rod; it is a post-war part (after about 1946-'47), not original.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

So what I am gathering is I do have a Victory model. Its been modified " losing any real value" so I should not loose any sleep over shooting it, correct?

The assembly numbers don‘t match, but the cylinder number does, so just the yoke and ejector rod were replaced.

Yes. Originally from mid-1942. You may get some bulged cases since the original caliber was just slightly fatter in circumference, but it‘s not a safety issue. Use standard loads. You can actually shoot both .38 S&W and Special.

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! Yes, it has been extensively modified and has 0 collector value. They are often characterized like Saturday Night Specials. OTOH, these guns, unmodified, generally have very low collector value because they made so many of them. Nevertheless, they do have shooter value and have something of a notorious history. It is reported that Oswald used a likewise modified Victory to kill officer Tibbets in Dallas. So, it could serve as a concealed carry handgun. So, shoot and enjoy it!

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

Thanks to everyone! You guys have really impressed me with your knowledge. I was hoping for a unicorn but got a dud. I can place it next to the worst revolver ever made that I also inherited...lol

Here’s my dad’s butchered victory. He carried it as his off duty and plain clothes gun throughout his LE career. I took the phony stags off and now I can’t find em.

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213th FBINA

Found this along with some trigger parts in the bottom of box that contain the pistol

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No, that looks like the base pin from a single action revolver or maybe one of the inexpensive pull-pin H&Rs. No application in a S&W.

Your revolver has been reblued and the stocks are not original. Could still be a great shooter and carry gun.

Well, don't feel too badly about it, more than one of us here paid good money to learn the same lesson (don't ask me how I know).

Shoot it, you can't hurt it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

So, you didn't get a valuable collectors model. What you did get is a serviceable short barrel revolver. As long as you didn't pay collectors prices and you are happy with the price you did pay, I'd say you got a good truck/garage/bug out bag gun. Shoot it and enjoy! Or sell it (telling the buyer about the mods of course) and look for a collector grade gun. Half the enjoyment is the search. Cheers! And welcome to the forum!
Edit: Didn't see the inheritance part. Old man disease! My condolences on your loss. That might change my plans somewhat. I'm pretty protective of family guns.

Rushman -

In the future , if you are looking at a revolver and wondering about originality - finish in particular ... take a look at the side plate seam on your gun and compare it to a known original. See how rounded the edges are on your revolver , how open that seam is. That is the result of aggressive buffing done in preparation for re-bluing. The original edges are very sharp , the seam tight.

The other characteristic , previously mentioned , is the absence of the ejector rod locking lug.

Shoot and enjoy.