On the CMP forum there is a post about a 2 inch Victory model someone bought at the Houston Gun Show. The owner posted pictures (small) and it looks like the barrel has a ramp sight. My opinion is that the gun as re-barreled with a post 1952 barrel. The owner states that the s/n on the barrel matches that on the frame. Could the gun have been re-barreled by S&W and if so, would S&W install a 2" barrel at the owners request ? Also, would S&W stamp the receiver S/N on the barrel flat ? I have not seen this gun and do not know if there are any factory rebuild markings on it. The beginning of the post is in regards to a rebuilt 1911-A1 but if you read down a bit you will see the post regarding the Victory.
You can see this post at http://www.odcmp.org/new_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=50603

On the CMP forum there is a post about a 2 inch Victory model someone bought at the Houston Gun Show. The owner posted pictures (small) and it looks like the barrel has a ramp sight. My opinion is that the gun as re-barreled with a post 1952 barrel. The owner states that the s/n on the barrel matches that on the frame. Could the gun have been re-barreled by S&W and if so, would S&W install a 2" barrel at the owners request ? Also, would S&W stamp the receiver S/N on the barrel flat ? I have not seen this gun and do not know if there are any factory rebuild markings on it. The beginning of the post is in regards to a rebuilt 1911-A1 but if you read down a bit you will see the post regarding the Victory.
You can see this post at http://www.odcmp.org/new_forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=50603

Joe

I played around with the picture of that 2" gun, and I would say that
there is no extractor lug under the barrel. I think the longer original
existing barrel has been cut, removing the extractor lug. And then
a ramp sight, or whatever it is, was installed. If that is what happened,
then the original serial number would still be on the underside of the
barrel.

Later, Mike Priwer

Mike, Thanks for taking the time to "play around with the pictures", sounds like you know as much about the computer as you do S&W revolvers.I will pass your take on this on to the owner.
Joe

looks alot like my beater Lend Lease 38/200 cut down to 2" and rechambered to 38spec....., if I recall the # match on all the parts, with a bunch of british proof marks for the conversion



I wouldnt spend the $30 to letter it.....

LP

This 38/200 is strange. I put together this composite picture :



Notice the shoulder area on the barrels. Your gun here has a very extended shoulder. The
other gun is a US Navy Victory, currently being posted in a thread nearby. I have never
seen a shoulder that large.

Later, Mike Priwer

Mike, I never noticed that, interesting.....if I only knew what it ment

I have a pair of real unbutchered Victories in 38spec, will have to take a better look.

here was the post when I picked it up and was trying to figure out what it was(guess my memory is poor..its all mismatched)
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5401039...781063752#1781063752

I call this one "Ugly Betty"
1917 .45 has been Dick Tracied

Dear All
I am the one who posted on the CMP site and just learned about this one.I look forward to learning more from you all. The gun does look just like Landpimp's gun. Same style barrel and site. I have sent to be lettered just to see. Underside of the barrel has markings:

38" 767"

3 1/2 Tons

this is on top of the SN that matches the rest of the gun as well as a small crown with BNR under it to the front of the barrel and a small set of crossed swords on top of what looks like a P code twards the back of the barrel. The cylinder has the same crowns and HNP or ANP around it as well as England stamped in it. there is also what looks like a small anchor and HNP or ANP on the frame just in front of the trigger gaurd on the bottom and a P stamp on the frame just in front of the trigger. Could these have been British replacement barrels? I have now seen several on posts trying to learn about it. Just seems odd that a return rebarel would be stamped with all of this? Thanks for anything you can offer and look foward to learning from you all.

Ok, Trying to post photo

other side if it helps. Trying to get some close ups of the markings but hard to focus in.

Freightdog, Welcome to the Forum! You've started with some good pics of an interesting old snubby. Thanks to your photos, I believe some of the experts will be along soon to give you some insight into your S&W. I like the looks of it myself. Thanks for posting.

Regards, Jerry

Thanks for the improved pictures. Indeed, there is no extactor lug.
I do not believe that this barrel is factory. That shoulder is just
not right - whatever right means ! Some other firm, or company, made
that barrel up.

I might send a copy of this picture to Dave Chicoine, to see what he
thinks. I might also post a link on the S&WCA site, to see if anyone
there has seen something like this.

Later, Mike Priwer

This is probably a post war conversion performed by Cogswell & Harrison, LTD. Many were marked as such, just as many were not, but it typifies those conversions performed on surplus lend/lease revolvers following WWII. The Birmingham proofs are civilian. The shoulder on the barrel is really strange and perhaps it was a replacement, but I doubt it was S&W factory. Sporting magazines advertised these after the war and through the 50's and early 60's. In any event, a letter is a good idea and will probably tell it's tale. Good luck!

Thanks guys, just getting my pistol collecton started as the safe was too full of rifles. Oh how the wife is happy.....HA. I will post once the letter comes in and let all know what I have found out. If this turns out to be a replacement what is the norm, do I leave it alone or try to find a barrel that is correct? I know there are many trains of thought but want to learn what is considered more appropriate with these guns. (I know that question will open a can of worms, at least with the Garand Guys it does) Thanks again for all the help. Look forward to building the collection and learning more here.

Hi Joe,
2" Victory model revolvers are one of my favorites and one of the most difficult of the various victory models to find in original factory condition. Victory and Commando revolvers were often converted from their longer 4" (and 5" for S&W's) to 2" after the war. The British did this commercially and the US Military performed some conversions using post war factory barrels. Here is a picture of a factory 2" Victory.

Freightdog

your and my barrels are marked exactly the same, just took a look, many of the other markings are the same...but my eyes are not fully open yet this morning to say they are ALL the same

Very interesting but seems that VictoryLarry has the answer, we have aftermarket barrels. Now I am curious where it was done since we seem to be finding lots of them and then the old question, do you look for an original barrel or leave as is? I like the look and feel so if it shoots well I might just leave it alone and hunt another for orignality sake.

I am leaving mine alone, dont think it has any value other than utilty value.....well at least mine doesnt as it looks like it was drug behind a pickup for a week

will be curious how yours letters

Will let you know when it comes in. Also just found a guy with replacement barrels (blued and parked) for $15.00 so might get one and hold to see which way to go. As I said, I like the look but am very odd as I have to always try to bring things back to original. Drives me nuts to know it is not correct.

I sent Dave Chicoine the links to these pictures, and he noted that he
thought they were made by Cogswell & Harrison, and further that there were
lots of them for sale years and years ago. They are not S&W factory barrels.

Later, Mike Priwer

any relation to Cogswell Cogs?

FYI:

In addition to Cogswell & Harrison, LTD. these BSR/Victory model conversions were also performed by Parker Hale. There may have been additional firms doing much the same.

Is there any value to the conversion or would bringing it back with a proper barrel be an ok move?

Fd

There is no real value to either option. The gun is simply not
worth that much to start with. Leaving it like it is means that
the gun is worth about what it sold for. Replacing the barrel with
something more "proper" does not bring the gun back to original.
The barrel is still a replacement, and it would be very unlikely to
get in numbered to the frame.

Either way , the gun is a shooter. That's OK, but that is what it is.

Later, Mike Priwer

I agree entirely with Mike. I would add however, that these post war conversions are in and of themselves, an oddity. Though they are not rare, my speculation is that perhaps in years to come, they might hold some particular interest for pre war and early post war collectors. If nothing else, as a representative specimen of a post war surplus conversion.

Thanks guys, I think I will leave it alone for now. As you said not a lot of value change and what the heck - It looks cool with the short barrel! I was even thinking of sending a note to Cogswell and see if they can offer any more informaiton or if they did the barrels.

the mutt I have have kinda got me hooked on the 2" K frames, have a few 10's and 15's now(as well as 2.5" magnums)......got a few of those now.