Victory data base

[21b o3]

SN’s for the database

I was digging through some papers at work the other day and found this old inventory list. I know they were in our posession as of late 1986 but I have no idea when they were acquired or how and when they were disposed of (I know we no longer have them). The Victorys were listed under “civil defense”. I will do some more digging and try to find out what happened to them.

 

[Absalom]

Here are my four Victory revolvers and 38/200.
......
V399125 38/200 K-200 with Australian markings

Cool stuff. While that tear gas kit is certainly something you don’t see every day, from a Victory collector’s point of view the Australian is most interesting:

You appear to have a Lend-lease BSR with FTR (refurbish) marks from the Lithgow Small Arms Factory that was NOT refinished, but retains the original factory finish. While occasionally Australian-marked guns show up which were not FTR’d, I haven’t seen an FTR without parkerizing before.

 

[21b o3]

Found a few more on other sheets. These are listed as being issued out to individual Townships so they probably saw some duty use. Same lack of info on disposition though.
V48304
V309030
V53734 (this one is listed as a Colt Python but the SN is unlike any other colts on the inventory.

 

[LOBO]

I was digging through some papers at work the other day and found this old inventory list. I know they were in our posession as of late 1986 but I have no idea when they were acquired or how and when they were disposed of (I know we no longer have them). The Victorys were listed under “civil defense”. I will do some more digging and try to find out what happened to them.

Can you share with us what department?

 

[tphilly88]

I picked up this Victory #323752 at a pawn shop recently for $200 with the caveat that the cylinder was very stiff to swing open. Well I was pretty sure I knew what the issue was, and sure enough the ejector rod was just very gunked-up. It now opens and functions like a champ.

I bring it to the attention of the forum for a couple of reasons, one, hoping that the experts here might find an approximate shipping date based on database entries, and two, because a few members of a popular facebook collectors group thought this Victory may have been reparked at some point.

If it has been reparked, it was done so very professionally. If not, I think it is in exceptional condition. What do y'all think? What's a reasonable value in today's market?

 

[DWalt]

V3230xx shipped in 6/43. It looks original. You got a good buy.

 

[Absalom]

Yep. I think so too. Standard US version, military-shipped, in almost unissued condition.

No indication that the finish isn't original.

Do the stocks (right panel) number to the gun? If so, the gun might bring 400 to 500. It is the most common and therefore least exciting variant.

Weird symbol carved into the left panel.

 

[Quiet 1]

It appears completely righteous to my eyes. And, very nice condition too. $200 bucks!!! Congratulations! That was an awesome deal.

What the heck is carved on the left grip? Someone's monogram, a horse, a ????

 

[tphilly88]

Yep. I think so too. Standard US version, military-shipped, in almost unissued condition.

No indication that the finish isn't original.

Do the stocks (right panel) number to the gun? If so, the gun might bring 400 to 500. It is the most common and therefore least exciting variant.

Weird symbol carved into the left panel.

Stock panel matches. Thanks for the input.

 

[tphilly88]

What the heck is carved on the left grip? Someone's monogram, a horse, a ????

I always monogram my firearms, so I know which ones are mine

I was thinking someones initials "JW"?

 

[shoto2758]

Ran across this one today
V 631394
Poor stainless shape
any info for a newbie?

 

[Targets Guy]

It would have shipped sometime in 1944. I own V650093 and it shipped 8/44. It is a .38SW.

Nice the s/n on the frame and cylinder match. What is the s/n on the barrel flat (under the extractor rod)?

That charging hole under the "P" on your fourth photo looks like the cylinder may have been reamed out to take a .38 special yet the barrel is stamped .38 special. If the s/n on the barrel flat matches it was and is a .38 special.

example of barrel flat

 

[Muss Muggins]

Ran across this one today
V 631394
Poor stainless shape
any info for a newbie?

I'll just add that it's not stainless. That's an aftermarket nickel finish . . .

 

[shoto2758]

That number is the same.
Thanks for all info.

 

[Absalom]

If the flaming bomb is on the butt at that point in time, it cannot have left the factory as a .38 S&W British Service model.

It also means the gun was shipped to a non-military recipient most likely on a DSC contract. Military and Lend-lease Victorys had the bomb on the topstrap with the property marking.

 

[shoto2758]

Flaming Bomb is on the butt.
"non-military recipient most likely on a DSC contract" , would that be state side?
Thanks

 

[Absalom]

Flaming Bomb is on the butt.
"non-military recipient most likely on a DSC contract" , would that be state side?
Thanks

Yes. The Defense Supplies Corporation (DSC) was a government entity that managed the distribution of essential stuff during the war. They had a revolver program which allowed police departments, defense contractor security etc., to acquire guns upon application.

I have a Victory fairly close to yours, V626880, which was shipped to the Louisville KY police.

 

[David Ben Uzi]

My USN Victory

New here but I do have a couple of Victorys, this is the latest and USN marked...

Dave

 

[Absalom]

New here but I do have a couple of Victorys, this is the latest and USN marked...

Dave

Nice one. Do all serial numbers match? Butt, cylinder face, underbarrel, extractor star, rear side of crane (look through a chamber), right grip panel.

The gun appears unissued, interesting on such a low serial (later 1942). I would suspect the minor wear and the turn line to be the result of post-war handling.

 

[David Ben Uzi]

Nice one. Do all serial numbers match? Butt, cylinder face, underbarrel, extractor star, rear side of crane (look through a chamber), right grip panel.

The gun appears unissued, interesting on such a low serial (later 1942). I would suspect the minor wear and the turn line to be the result of post-war handling.

Yes, I think it is all matching...

Dave