Victory data base

[Absalom]

I inherited this Victory model #V143663 from my father, who served in Army Ordinance in the Pacific during WWII. No idea whether this revolver is connected to his service, or for that matter, its origins at all. Because it has no service-related markings, I would guess it to be DSC.
.......

I have not requested a letter, at least not yet, but would certainly appreciate advice as to whether a letter would be worthwhile and comments on history and value estimate (for insurance only-NFS). Thank you for your help.

That is a nice one. A lot of non-military guns shipped from that general serial number range, both DSC and US Maritime Commission. It should fall into late 1942, although I had V 121432 which didn't ship until April 1943, to the Maritime Commission, so there are irregularities in the sequence.

A direct connection to your dad's WW II service is unlikely, but since it's still a family heirloom, I'd letter it since you're probably going to keep it, and on an unmarked gun you're much more likely to get the end user in the letter.

Except for the blemishes on the topstrap, condition appears almost pristine, maybe unissued before your dad got it. Add the all-matching, including stocks, and value-wise I'd put this in the $600 range.

 

[bunkie12]

Thank you very much, Absalom. Your comments are very helpful and much appreciated. No question that I'll keep gun. Will post the relevant part of the letter when received.

 

[sigp220.45]

Let's add 974608 to the pile.

I only had time to take a quick picture, agree on a price, and throw the 40 bucks I had in my pocket on it to lay it away. I'll get it next week.




I guess its not even a true Victory Model - no V in the serial number, no U.S. property marks, no ordnance stamps, no GHD. The numbers match, the lanyard ring is gone but the hole remains. It is a 4" .38 Special with a nice even parkerized finish and clear markings.

Number 974173 appears on page 148 of Charles Pate's book. It was shipped to the Navy, then was used for civil defense, then wound up with the Tacoma PD. Maybe this one had a similar journey.

I'll post more pictures when I pick it up, but I'd be interested in any thoughts about this revolver.

 

[Absalom]

Let's add 974608 to the pile.
........
I guess its not even a true Victory Model - no V in the serial number, no U.S. property marks, no ordnance stamps, no GHD. The numbers match, the lanyard ring is gone but the hole remains. It is a 4" .38 Special with a nice even parkerized finish and clear markings.

Number 974173 appears on page 148 of Charles Pate's book. It was shipped to the Navy, then was used for civil defense, then wound up with the Tacoma PD. Maybe this one had a similar journey.
.......

But it's a "true pre-Victory"!

Meaning it will or would (if you did) letter as a Model 1905 Fourth change, but it already has all three characteristic features that together distinguish the Victory variant: smooth walnut stocks, utility finish, and lanyard swivel (original replacements are easily found on ebay, Gunbroker etc.). It will have shipped in spring 1942 either to the Navy or the Defense Supplies Corporation; I'm not sure how early the US Maritime Commission began receiving revolvers. As you probably recall from Pate, early ones are not uncommon without any markings.

Nice find, it looks to be in good shape, as far as the photo allows to judge.

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Let's add 974608 to the pile.

I only had time to take a quick picture, agree on a price, and throw the 40 bucks I had in my pocket on it to lay it away. I'll get it next week.

... The numbers match, the lanyard ring is gone but the hole remains. It is a 4" .38 Special with a nice even parkerized finish and clear markings.

Congrats on the find. I would have snapped that up in a heartbeat.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[Targets Guy]

Great find.

 

[policerevolvercollector]

Let's add 974608 to the pile.

I only had time to take a quick picture, agree on a price, and throw the 40 bucks I had in my pocket on it to lay it away. I'll get it next week.




I guess its not even a true Victory Model - no V in the serial number, no U.S. property marks, no ordnance stamps, no GHD. The numbers match, the lanyard ring is gone but the hole remains. It is a 4" .38 Special with a nice even parkerized finish and clear markings.

Number 974173 appears on page 148 of Charles Pate's book. It was shipped to the Navy, then was used for civil defense, then wound up with the Tacoma PD. Maybe this one had a similar journey.

I'll post more pictures when I pick it up, but I'd be interested in any thoughts about this revolver.

That one probably went to the DSC. Nice catch!

 

[nuguy]

Victory Question

What can you guys tell me about this one? I just picked it up it is 5 inch Victory 38 S&W, it HAS NOT been reamed, it remains 38 S&W. It does have the US Property and the GHD on the top strap. The S/N is V 675017. Other than the normal S&W markings, I see 3 small P's on the revolver. There is one P under the barrel after the S/N, a second P on the frame above the cylinder release and the third P is on the rear of the cylinder with the S/N. The S/N does match in all 6 places and the gun is in pretty good shape.

 

[Absalom]

What can you guys tell me about this one? I just picked it up it is 5 inch Victory 38 S&W, it HAS NOT been reamed, it remains 38 S&W. It does have the US Property and the GHD on the top strap. The S/N is V 675017. Other than the normal S&W markings, I see 3 small P's on the revolver. There is one P under the barrel after the S/N, a second P on the frame above the cylinder release and the third P is on the rear of the cylinder with the S/N. The S/N does match in all 6 places and the gun is in pretty good shape.

From what I can see, a VERY nice find. An unmolested, complete, all-matching British Service Revolver from late summer 1944, likely Aug./Sept. or so. All the to-be-expected markings, inspector stamps (on topstrap) and proofs (the P) in the correct places.

The U.S.PROPERTY stamping makes it a lend-lease gun; S&W would have shipped it to Hartford Ordnance, thd central depot and distribution hub for lend-lease stuff, to be shipped on to Britain. The apparent absence of post-war British commercial proofs (I assume you would have mentioned those if they were present; your photos don't show the spots where they usually are found) would indicate this gun did not make its way back to the US via the usual British gov't surplus route.

According to Pate, some of the later-war production apparently was shipped to the OSS to be used for arming resistance movements. But I don't know whether we've ever come across a BSR that lettered to the OSS.

BSR's in this condition are not found very often.

 

[nuguy]

Absalom
I see no Post War Commercial Proof Marks, there are no markings on the revolver other than the ones I mentioned. I added several more pictures, but this is all I have till later.

 

[Absalom]

Absalom
I see no Post War Commercial Proof Marks, there are no markings on the revolver other than the ones I mentioned. I added several more pictures, but this is all I have till later.

I can't make out any either. The pictures below show where they generally would be found on a Birmingham-proofed BSR; London proofs tend to be on the right side of the barrel, but those are not common.

 

[nuguy]

Two more pictures, I see no marks either place and nothing on the cylinder. thanks for your help.

 

[TURNA]

My Victory's number is V223058 US Navy

 

[Badbuddy02]

Victory Database?

I've found a S&W "Victory" and wondering if the Victory Database is still active?

 

[raisedin99]

I've found a S&W "Victory" and wondering if the Victory Database is still active?

Alive and well!

terry

 

[Absalom]

I've found a S&W "Victory" and wondering if the Victory Database is still active?

If you have questions about a Victory model or would like to share information and pictures, please post them here, and someone will respond sooner or later. The information will also be on record for others to learn from.

The actual Victory database is not public, but is maintained by some members privately for research. You can contact Charlie Flick, username ordnanceguy, via PM if you have a question or want to make sure a gun gets added.

 

[DWesol]

Hello everyone,

I just picked up my first S&W Victory revolver. I got a deal on it as it was missing the lanyard loop, and had some yellowed plastic grips. I was able to pick up a set of used, smooth walnut grips,lanyard loop and retaining pin on the web at Numrich Arms. The parts fit perfectly.

It is stamped "U.S. Property GHD" on the top strap preceded by the flaming bomb. The serial # on the butt is V2918xx. Any idea as to when this gun was produced? Is it worth requesting a factory letter?

I will try to post photos soon.

Thanks!

Dan

 

[Absalom]

Hello everyone,

I just picked up my first S&W Victory revolver.....
It is stamped "U.S. Property GHD" on the top strap preceded by the flaming bomb. The serial # on the butt is V2918xx. Any idea as to when this gun was produced? Is it worth requesting a factory letter?
.....

Welcome to the forum. Your gun should be from the first half of 1943, maybe April/May or so. You need to add one important piece of info: Is it a 4" barreled US version in .38 Special or a 5" barreled British service model in .38 S&W? Everything else matches on both. If it's the first, a letter will most likely, besides the exact shipping date, show a Navy yard or Army depot where it shipped. If it's the latter, it will have shipped to Hartford Ordnance for lend-lease shipment to Britain. Whether the exact info is worth a letter is up to you; it is unlikely to add much to the value of the gun (if that should be what you mean by "Is it worth ...").

 

[sigp220.45]

Correction to post 1412, pics added

The pre-Victory I laid away is actually 974139 - I misread the chicken scratchings on the layaway receipt.

I picked it up today - here it is:






No markings on the top strap, no bomb on the side. All the markings that are present are crisp and clear.











The action is great, and the bore is perfect. I don't think this old fella saw much action.

The only sign of trouble in paradise is the backstrap. Looks like someone may have removed a stamp at one point.



I'm happy with it - time to hit the range.

 

[Absalom]

.......

No markings on the top strap, no bomb on the side....

The only sign of trouble in paradise is the backstrap. Looks like someone may have removed a stamp at one point.



.........

The flaming bomb, if any, would actually be on the butt behind the swivel.

A very nice one. And with that mysterious backstrap sanitizing, I could never resist the temptation to letter it to maybe find out what that might have been. As an early gun with no markings, it could have either been a Navy gun that was later repurposed or more likely a DSC gun (in view of the backstrap; the Navy didn't mark guns there AFAIK).