Getting history on new victory model

Psiska · #1 05-13-2022, 08:17 PM

I just picked up a victory model revolver and I would like to try and confirm all the markings are legit and possibly find out the history on this specific revolver.

It has a blues finish with checkered walnut grips. I can’t find any military acceptance marks but I believe the early variants did not come with any. Considering the S/N I think it’s manufactured in early 1942.

The ”V”on the butt of the frame for the S/N is faint, would that be something that would be forged later on the gain value in the revolver? the V does show up in all other S/N locations except the rear of the crane that’s hidden by the cylinder

The threads for the lanyard loop have been plugged, is this something that was done post war?

Would love to hear any input on this revolver and it’s marking, and possibly find out where it may have been.

Thank you in advance.

Psiska · #2 05-13-2022, 08:22 PM

More pictures

Baxter6551 · #3 05-13-2022, 09:07 PM

I’m sure others will be along more knowledgeable than me but to me based on exam of mine it’s not correct - but it’s only based at looking at mine serial V2970xx. I’m no expert Maybe as you said it’s an early one but it’s a later number than mine. Is it marked US Property on the top frame?
The letter V should be on the other side of the lanyard hole and it is not stamped the same as the numbers. Mine doesn’t have the letter V in front of the serial number anywhere else. There is a V on the cylinder but it is not directly in front of the number - it’s the same place as your cylinder photo.

Psiska · #4 05-13-2022, 09:40 PM

Unfortunately, It does not have any U.S. property markings

kfields · #5 05-13-2022, 10:22 PM

I am far from an expert but I have V82095 made about a month or so after yours. It's in original worn condition (Aug 42-ish) and the "V" in the serial numbers appear to be in the same digit locations as shown on yours. Mine has the proper war time stamps elsewhere.
I'm wondering if your revolver was reblued somewhere along the way and some of the markings polished out? As you can tell, my revolver has a wartime finish on it.
Here are some pics:

Psiska · #6 05-13-2022, 11:16 PM

Thank you, it’s nice to see one with a S/N that close to mine to compare. I have read that they converted some to the commercial market but as far as I know those were the later manufactured ones. Would it be possible to show the war time stamps?

kfields · #7 05-14-2022, 07:06 AM

Sure. Here is the US markings up top.
The second picture shows the markings on the butt, on the other side of the swivel. Inspectors initials, Ordnance bomb and "P" proof. The grip is numbered to the gun too.
This is the only Victory Model I have. I found it at a local antique show about 18 months ago and figured $350 was a good enough price for an S&W revolver in working condition. Bore is perfect and it is in its' original chambering of 38 S&W.
From what I've read, many thousands of these WW2 era revolvers were later sold into the commercial market and many ended up being reworked, refinished and even rechambered (38s&w -> 38 special). So whether it was an early or late WW2 revolver, I don't think that was a consideration as to whether it was reworked/refinished.

murphydog · #8 05-14-2022, 07:36 AM

Welcome! This appears to be a standard .38 Special VM from mid-late 1942 that has been refinished, and the butt swivel removed with the frame hole plugged. It almost certainly had a military destination but only a letter of authenticity from the SWHF would give you its ship date and where it went.

Psiska · #9 05-14-2022, 01:36 PM

That’s good to know thank you. It would be cool to get a letter of authentication, and know this guns story.

Would it be possible to drill out the plug and get the butt swivel installed again?

Retired W4 · #10 05-14-2022, 02:20 PM

You might be able to remove the plug with a punch, starting with the pin on the side which holds the plug/ butt swivel. Butt swivels are available on the secondary market.

Muley Gil · #11 05-14-2022, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retired W4

You might be able to remove the plug with a punch, starting with the pin on the side which holds the plug/ butt swivel. Butt swivels are available on the secondary market.

If it doesn't turn, it may be soldered. The plug in my 2nd Model .44 was soldered.

Absalom · #12 05-15-2022, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psiska

Unfortunately, It does not have any U.S. property markings

At the time of your serial in mid-1942, the US property marking was not used on 4“ .38 Special Victorys. They were either stamped US NAVY or unmarked. Kfields‘ revolver shown above is different, a 5“ Lend-Lease British Service model in .38 S&W.

The year 1942 is a bit unpredictable, and there are unmarked specimen that shipped to the Navy, but usually the absence of a topstrap marking indicates that the gun shipped to the DSC or Maritime Commission, not a military destination.

Of course, that presumes it was not scrubbed during the refinish, a possibility since for a time folks were worried about owning guns with government property markings, and the topstrap stamping was quite shallow and easily buffed out and traces covered with a reblue.