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Victory data base
- Thread starter zonker5
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DWalt
Member
It's not in the greatest condition and the grips are from a considerably earlier period than the likely shipping date of late 1942. Also, the holster is not military. Nonetheless, Navy-marked Victories are very desirable. I'd say $600.
Lend Lease
Thought I'd check mine in:
V165078
Flaming bomb; GHD; "P" V165078 on butt
United States Property on Left Top strap
38 S&W CTG
Matching SN's: barrel, cylinder, ejector, butt, crane (inside facing cylinder)
Stocks are checkered with S&W medallion as furnished on pre victories. SN on right stock is 727158.
Left stock has 7 notches carved into it. Not a good practice to do this in a combat theater...
The 88 year old Army Veteran that brought this back said that the stocks, as they are today, are exactly the way they were when he got the revolver. He found this revolver early May 1945 when going through German POW personal gear that was lefty behind after the prisoners were shipped out. He took it and brought it home.
I asked him about the notches and he said that his buddies told him to ditch it because if he was caught the Nazis would shoot him on the spot. He said he wasn't worried since all of the Germans he saw were heading west by the hundreds.
Still chambered in .38 S&W and no British proof marks.
What was the approximate ship date on this one?
Many Thanks!
Thought I'd check mine in:
V165078
Flaming bomb; GHD; "P" V165078 on butt
United States Property on Left Top strap
38 S&W CTG
Matching SN's: barrel, cylinder, ejector, butt, crane (inside facing cylinder)
Stocks are checkered with S&W medallion as furnished on pre victories. SN on right stock is 727158.
Left stock has 7 notches carved into it. Not a good practice to do this in a combat theater...
The 88 year old Army Veteran that brought this back said that the stocks, as they are today, are exactly the way they were when he got the revolver. He found this revolver early May 1945 when going through German POW personal gear that was lefty behind after the prisoners were shipped out. He took it and brought it home.
I asked him about the notches and he said that his buddies told him to ditch it because if he was caught the Nazis would shoot him on the spot. He said he wasn't worried since all of the Germans he saw were heading west by the hundreds.
Still chambered in .38 S&W and no British proof marks.
What was the approximate ship date on this one?
Many Thanks!
roundels
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That holster is one of the infamous clamshells that came out around mid-century. The hinge was spring loaded so that the holster would snap open at the press of a button for a lightning fast draw, and the swivel was so that the officer could tip the muzzle up and out of the way when getting into vehicles. Stories circulated that kids were sneaking up behind officers and pressing the button to watch the weapon fall out, but a more likely scenario was that officers were accidentally pressing the buttons themselves. In any event, a collector might pay good money for yours.
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DWalt,
Thank you for your assessment, this revolver was handed down to my father by his father in 1969 and now it is mine. should the grips have the same serial number on the inside of the grips because there are no numbers there at all. I am adding a few more photos.
Thank you for your assessment, this revolver was handed down to my father by his father in 1969 and now it is mine. should the grips have the same serial number on the inside of the grips because there are no numbers there at all. I am adding a few more photos.
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Roundels,
thanks for that info on the holster, I would never sell it as it will go to one of my grandsons someday. it is cool however and with the exception of a few too many mars and an open wear spot near the top it works well. it allows the revolver to be pulled straight up into the firing position without pulling up and then extending it.
thanks for that info on the holster, I would never sell it as it will go to one of my grandsons someday. it is cool however and with the exception of a few too many mars and an open wear spot near the top it works well. it allows the revolver to be pulled straight up into the firing position without pulling up and then extending it.
Navy Victory Letter
Just wanted to include my Victory I found earlier this year. The revolver is not a prestine example and shows use! But use that I feel is indicative of use in WWII. I have not made a copy of the Letter from S&W yet, but will this weekend. I do have a couple of photos of the revolver. The information provided by S&W is as follows:
"We have researched your Smith & Wesson .38 Victory Model, United States Navy Contract, caliber .38 S&W Special, revolver in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number V116134 was shipped from our factory on October 6, 1942, and delivered to United States Navy, Norfolk, Va. The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with a 4 inch barrel, military midnight black finish, butt swivel, and smooth walnut non- monogrammed grips."
Although the "midnight black finish" is well worn, she is still in excellent condition. This revolver was used, fired little, carried a lot , and clean! Here are some photos of the Victroy.
Just wanted to include my Victory I found earlier this year. The revolver is not a prestine example and shows use! But use that I feel is indicative of use in WWII. I have not made a copy of the Letter from S&W yet, but will this weekend. I do have a couple of photos of the revolver. The information provided by S&W is as follows:
"We have researched your Smith & Wesson .38 Victory Model, United States Navy Contract, caliber .38 S&W Special, revolver in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number V116134 was shipped from our factory on October 6, 1942, and delivered to United States Navy, Norfolk, Va. The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with a 4 inch barrel, military midnight black finish, butt swivel, and smooth walnut non- monogrammed grips."
Although the "midnight black finish" is well worn, she is still in excellent condition. This revolver was used, fired little, carried a lot , and clean! Here are some photos of the Victroy.
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Greetings,
Just joined this forum and this is my first post. Wanted to add my two Victory models to the database.
1. Serial# V147186. Black finish and inspector's initials of WB or WF near ordnance symbol.
2. Serial# V151350. Black finish with inspector's initials of WB near ordnance symbol.
Picked these up in 1997/1998. Forgot who had them for sale (SOG?) but I remember they were a pretty good deal. Would like to know if anyone knows when these may have been made. Thanks.
Greg
Just joined this forum and this is my first post. Wanted to add my two Victory models to the database.
1. Serial# V147186. Black finish and inspector's initials of WB or WF near ordnance symbol.
2. Serial# V151350. Black finish with inspector's initials of WB near ordnance symbol.
Picked these up in 1997/1998. Forgot who had them for sale (SOG?) but I remember they were a pretty good deal. Would like to know if anyone knows when these may have been made. Thanks.
Greg
DWalt
Member
As your finish is not so hot, I do not think re-Parkerizing it would hurt value (military midnight black is a phosphate finish similar to Parkerizing), and would certainly make it look like new. And you can do it yourself. There is a recent posting on this subject involving a Navy Victory. http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/341335-renewed-victory.html As you may know, Navy Victories are among the most desirable of the breed.
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Kfan
Member
Pre-Victory
Here is another contribution to your Victory list. It is serial # 985XXX , has parkerized finish , marked "US PROPERTY" , butt marked WB and flaming bomb stamped.I display it with a short "Tanker" holster ,issued to armoured vehicle crews.
Here is another contribution to your Victory list. It is serial # 985XXX , has parkerized finish , marked "US PROPERTY" , butt marked WB and flaming bomb stamped.I display it with a short "Tanker" holster ,issued to armoured vehicle crews.
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Kfan
Member
Correction to Pre-Victory. Stamped "UNITED STATES PROPERTY".
navy_chief
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New Navy Victory bought today at Gun Show
Hello,
I just picked up a Navy Victory missing Lanyard ring but is still very tight and the finish is missing from the gun and has some pitting.
The grips match the serial on the gun but they are not the smooth grips but rather they are checkered factory originals so this throws me off as all the ones I have seen are smooth?
I would like to refinish it but not sure what finish is correct for the serial number which matches thru out the gun V196311 I bought it for $216 with the tax and it has a 4" barrel was this a fair price for it?
Thanks
Hello,
I just picked up a Navy Victory missing Lanyard ring but is still very tight and the finish is missing from the gun and has some pitting.
The grips match the serial on the gun but they are not the smooth grips but rather they are checkered factory originals so this throws me off as all the ones I have seen are smooth?
I would like to refinish it but not sure what finish is correct for the serial number which matches thru out the gun V196311 I bought it for $216 with the tax and it has a 4" barrel was this a fair price for it?
Thanks
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DWalt
Member
Yours would have shipped in the late 1942-early 1943 period. I'm unaware of any of the Victories having original checkered grips as you describe. It's possible someone checkered the original smooth grips. There has been quite a bit said here about refinishing Victories by Parkerizing. See: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/341335-renewed-victory.html It's the finish used for most of the WWII revolvers, which S&W called "Military Midnight Black." It's not a difficult operation to perform yourself, and there are Parkerizing kits available from several sources if you want to try it. Google "Lauer Weaponry" for some information, but there are others. http://lauerweaponry.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=1036 Or Google "Brownell Parkerizing Chemicals." http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...zing/parkerizing-supplies-only-prod24778.aspx
You might provide a picture of what the grips look like. Navy Victories are very desirable, and if its cosmetic condition is already poor, refinishing using Parkerizing is a good way to go. Replacement smooth grips and lanyard rings are not difficult to find, and not very expensive. Look for them on eBay. You did well on the price.
You might provide a picture of what the grips look like. Navy Victories are very desirable, and if its cosmetic condition is already poor, refinishing using Parkerizing is a good way to go. Replacement smooth grips and lanyard rings are not difficult to find, and not very expensive. Look for them on eBay. You did well on the price.
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navy_chief
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navy_chief
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Last grip pic
As stated the serial number matches the pistol on the inside of the grip
As stated the serial number matches the pistol on the inside of the grip
DWalt
Member
The design pictured is very similar to the standard grips used by S&W during the 1920s, yet not quite identical. At least that's my impression. It's certainly not the commercial style used by S&W throughout the 1930s and early 1940s. I have to believe that, if the SN on the grip panel matches that of the gun, someone probably applied checkering to the original smooth grips.
You are right - the revolver's appearance would be greatly enhanced by Parkerizing.
You are right - the revolver's appearance would be greatly enhanced by Parkerizing.
coogan
Member
3 to add:
M&P 966792 - Australian D^D marked, FTR in 1955. Topstrap marked "United States Property" WB marked on butt. .38 S&W
Victory V389684 - US Property GHD on topstrap .38 Special
Victory V570313 - US Property GHD Osterreich Polizei Marked .38 S&W
M&P 966792 - Australian D^D marked, FTR in 1955. Topstrap marked "United States Property" WB marked on butt. .38 S&W
Victory V389684 - US Property GHD on topstrap .38 Special
Victory V570313 - US Property GHD Osterreich Polizei Marked .38 S&W
DWalt
Member
Those would have shipping dates from (approximately) 4/42, 9/43, and 4/44, respectively.
I have a Victory model. V 521962 on the butt, underneath the barrel, and rear of the cylinder. Barrel measured from the front of the cylinder is 2.5".
The cylinder chambers are larger than a 38 special case. I bought some 38S&W brass and some .360 or .361 dia (can't recall which) cast bullets from Missouri Bullet co. esp for 38S&W. Measuring a fired bullet reveals a base diameter of .356 to .357, so I'm assuming I can use regular 357 dia bullets in my barrel.
There is a P proof mark on the left side of the frame near the hammer, Several BNP stamps with a crown above, a G1 and the numbers 7-2-3-66 appear under the crane.
It has the cheap imitation stag grips I see on a lot of these, probably installed by the importer? The side plates etc show a lot of "polishing"-more like grinding and the rollmark is half the normal depth. Any enlightenment?
The cylinder chambers are larger than a 38 special case. I bought some 38S&W brass and some .360 or .361 dia (can't recall which) cast bullets from Missouri Bullet co. esp for 38S&W. Measuring a fired bullet reveals a base diameter of .356 to .357, so I'm assuming I can use regular 357 dia bullets in my barrel.
There is a P proof mark on the left side of the frame near the hammer, Several BNP stamps with a crown above, a G1 and the numbers 7-2-3-66 appear under the crane.
It has the cheap imitation stag grips I see on a lot of these, probably installed by the importer? The side plates etc show a lot of "polishing"-more like grinding and the rollmark is half the normal depth. Any enlightenment?
DWalt
Member
Yours was likely shipped in early 1944. As described it is highly likely a "Chopped and Bored" British .38/200 Victory. In the 1950s and 1960s, numerous surplus arms importers took .38/200s, had the barrels cut shorter and also had the .38 S&W chambers reamed to accept .38 S&W Special ammunition. Refinishing and replacement grips are also common. You should see if your chambers will completely accept .38 Special ammunition.
These have no collector value, but would be OK as shooters. Surprisingly, a couple of weeks ago, I personally saw one sold for $300, and the purchaser actually knew what he was buying. I wouldn't be interested in one at any price, but some people evidently do see value.
These have no collector value, but would be OK as shooters. Surprisingly, a couple of weeks ago, I personally saw one sold for $300, and the purchaser actually knew what he was buying. I wouldn't be interested in one at any price, but some people evidently do see value.
