I just picked up a Victory 38S&W revolver that was part of the Lend Lease program. There is a broad arrow where the barrel connects which I've seen on others before, but there are some markings I'm not familiar with. The cylinder is a replacement and has an asterisk or star at every flute and there is a similar mark on the barrel. There are also 2 triangles near the serial number on the butt, on each side of the V. Also, is there any historical significance to the black paint? I want to remove it if it doesn't matter. Any ideas? Thanks.

From what I see in the photos, this is a British Service Victory that ended up in the Indian subcontinent and was refinished in either India or Pakistan with black stove paint after 1948.

The British left a lot of these behind; not many make it back here, and usually in horrible condition. Some were re-worked at Ishapore for the Indian Army in the 1960s; they usually have a clear mark to that effect on the barrel.

The extra stamps you describe stem from that time; I’m not sure anyone has determined their meaning in detail. The broad arrow was used as a military property mark across the former empire.

The black paint and all of the stamping tell the story of this revolver, enjoy it for what it is.

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Thank you for the information. I really appreciate it. I think I will leave it as is.