Both pre and wartime "sister" pistols

[Denny347]

I just bought this Victory model from a friend for $350. It is a fair price for this model and it is in near perfect shape. It very close to the pre-war I already had. Both are 5", both are still .38 S&W. My pre-war has British proofs all over it so it was obvious where it came from. Not so sure where the Victory came from but likely England as well I suppose. I need to find the correct grips for the pre-war and a replacement lanyard loop. The pre-war shows the obvious signs of wear, the Victory shows very little. I paid a couple of hundred for the pre-war several years ago so I cannot complain. These are my only older revolvers. I think I have an urge to buy more. They are very neat.

My new Victory

My pre-war

 

[mg357]

Nice set of "Sister" pistols.

 

[1blindref]

very nice!
I bet they have great stories to tell.

 

[JP@AK]

I need to find the correct grips for the pre-war

Hi Denny
Thanks for sharing these pictures with us and for telling your story. This is a great place to start a collection. Collecting war time revolvers can become a full time interest that will never stop revealing new and interesting treasures.
I have a kind of selfish question for you - and hope I can be forgiven for asking it, if I ask amiss. If you are planning to put smooth stocks on the pre-war gun, will you be interested in selling the convex service stocks that are currently on it? I actually need a pair like that for a .38 HE that letters to 1926. The degree of wear on yours would fit my revolver quite well.
Let me know if you have an interest in a deal.
Regards,
JP

 

[johnsonl]

Oh, boy. He's doomed.

 

[Denny347]

Hi Denny
Thanks for sharing these pictures with us and for telling your story. This is a great place to start a collection. Collecting war time revolvers can become a full time interest that will never stop revealing new and interesting treasures.
I have a kind of selfish question for you - and hope I can be forgiven for asking it, if I ask amiss. If you are planning to put smooth stocks on the pre-war gun, will you be interested in selling the convex service stocks that are currently on it? I actually need a pair like that for a .38 HE that letters to 1926. The degree of wear on yours would fit my revolver quite well.
Let me know if you have an interest in a deal.
Regards,
JP

Would smooth be correct? I was thinking it need the grips similar to these but has the medallions at the top. Hell of a time finding those. I assume my pre-victory is actually the model 1905. Oh, an if I find the correct grips...they are yours

 

[JP@AK]

Nope. You're right. It's a Model of 1905, 4th Change and needs flush medallions on the service stocks from about 1930 up to the war. I just misunderstood. I thought you wanted it to look like a Victory - your reference to a lanyard loop just threw me off track. Guess I wasn't thinking clearly.
Sorry.
JP

 

[bananaman]

Denny, your new Victory, is one of the nicest I've seen posted! Would like to have one like that myself. I have a 1905 4th. change shipped from Smith in June of 1919. I enjoy shooting my Smith revolvers. Bob

 

[Ballarat]

Mate, pull the grips off your pre Victory revolver and see what number the right grip carries, it maybe correct to that gun it may not. Usually the grips were very similar to yours but with the medallion. In any event do not put smooth grips on it, they are totally incorrect for that gun. She would have had the lanyard ring fitted originally.

Regarding your Victory, what markings does she carry on the top strap left if any, should be US property mark with GHD. From the pics cannot see any other Brit or Commonwealth markings. Do all the serial numbers match, they should be on the barrel under the ejector rod and on the rear of the cylinder. The right grip should also be stamped with the serial number, so remove it and have a look.

 

[Denny347]

Mate, pull the grips off your pre Victory revolver and see what number the right grip carries, it maybe correct to that gun it may not. Usually the grips were very similar to yours but with the medallion. In any event do not put smooth grips on it, they are totally incorrect for that gun. She would have had the lanyard ring fitted originally.

Regarding your Victory, what markings does she carry on the top strap left if any, should be US property mark with GHD. From the pics cannot see any other Brit or Commonwealth markings. Do all the serial numbers match, they should be on the barrel under the ejector rod and on the rear of the cylinder. The right grip should also be stamped with the serial number, so remove it and have a look.

Sorry, the grips on the early pistol I put on there to replace some crappy aftermarket grips that came with it when I bought it. Yes, the Victory has "GHD" after the property mark on the top strap. ALL serial number match and there is really not any wear on it to speak of. I will have to look under the grip for the SN.

 

[Denny347]

The right grip should also be stamped with the serial number, so remove it and have a look.

Grips on the Victory match the gun...sweet.

 

[JP@AK]

Grips on the Victory match the gun.

VERY GOOD!
Congrats.
JP