S&W Victory model serial number lookup

[Absalom]

V 341582 is a standard US military-shipped Victory. All markings are standard. The S indicates those parts needed some service dept. attention before passing inspection. Pretty much all of these went to the Navy at that time, so a history letter would likely show a large Navy yard as initial destination.

Where it went from there is impossible to say. These were carried on missions by Navy and Marine aviators, in shipboard gun lockers, but also by guards at stateside Navy facilities.

 

[Patriotshs]

Absalom,
Thanks for the information, between you and DWalt I'm getting a better picture to when it was made and possibly where it may have gone. I splurged and completed a "Letter of Authenticity" request to the S&W Historical Foundation to get info from them as well. I always like to have the history of the weapon with my collection, well worth the fee. I appreciate all the great feedback I'm getting from different collectors on this forum.

 

[DWalt]

The letter may be a little disappointing as it won't tell you anything beyond exactly when it shipped and to where, which will be more than likely some Navy supply depot. There is a very slim possibility it might be an OSS gun if it shipped to a Navy facility in Rosslyn VA. There will be nothing provided about whether it saw any action or not. Please post the letter here when you receive it.

 

[Patriotshs]

Received Smith and Wesson Historical Foundation documents and posted for additional information.

 

[Patriotshs]

DeWalt, Posted update with copies of documents received from Smith and Wesson Historical foundation per your request...thanks

 

[Patriotshs]

Posted documents from S&W Historical foundation.

 

[apso1857]

Hello everyone,

Im a new member, and a proud new owner of a S&W Victory model which I just purchased today.

It is a 5" barrel and chambered in 38 S&W. It has a parkerized finish, and smooth wood grips. It has no import marks, nor any foreign proof marks (that I can find). It is marked along the top strap "US Property GHD", and has a serial number of "V424754".

If I have read elsewhere correctly, I believe it to have been sent to England under the Lend Lease program. It appears to be numbers matching, and doesn't appear to have been re-chambered to 38 Special. Unfortunately it is missing the lanyard ring (hopefully I can find an original replacement).

Is there any way of finding out a date of manufacture or shipping on this particular pistol?

 

[Absalom]

...
It is a 5" barrel and chambered in 38 S&W. It has a parkerized finish, and smooth wood grips. It has no import marks, nor any foreign proof marks (that I can find). It is marked along the top strap "US Property GHD", and has a serial number of "V424754".

If I have read elsewhere correctly, I believe it to have been sent to England under the Lend Lease program.....

Welcome to the forum.

You have your gun correctly diagnosed in all aspects. The serial places it around October 1943. We have no manufacture dates, but for an exact ship date you'd need to buy a history letter from the S&W Historical Foundation.

Your gun does indeed look all original, and the absence of any post-war British proofs or importer marks enhances its collector appeal. Original and reproduction swivels can be found on auction sites such as e-bay, Gunbroker, or ordered from Numrich.

 

[JS Esq.]

Hey Absalom, do you have any idea what the typical daily production was during this period (mid-late '43)? Or at least the monthly averages?

 

[Absalom]

Hey Absalom, do you have any idea what the typical daily production was during this period (mid-late '43)? Or at least the monthly averages?

I don't know if there are actual records about that, but extrapolating from the numbers produced in the two final years of regular full production, 1943 and 1944, you're looking at a number in the 20-thousands per month.

 

[JS Esq.]

Thanks! Now I have to kick myself even harder for letting one get away that was <1,000 off the S/N of the one I have. Had been sitting on GB for a while, thought it was overpriced, then one day it disappeared.

 

[DWalt]

I don't know if there are actual records about that, but extrapolating from the numbers produced in the two final years of regular full production, 1943 and 1944, you're looking at a number in the 20-thousands per month.

I'd agree with that. My figures indicate that during 1943 and 1944, average monthly production would likely have been very close to 20,000, or +/- 4500 per week.

 

[Serpent95]

Victory model revolver info

I have a Victory model- serial number V622958. Smooth wood grips, US Property GHD on top left strap. Non-glare / matte finish. Any info on date of manufacture, final destination? Any info would be appreciated. Thx.

 

[Absalom]

I have a Victory model- serial number V622958. Smooth wood grips, US Property GHD on top left strap. Non-glare / matte finish. Any info on date of manufacture, final destination? Any info would be appreciated. Thx.

It was made in mid-1944.

We need to know the barrel length and/or caliber stamped on the barrel (SPECIAL or not) to determine whether it was a US version shipped most likely to the Navy or a Lend-Lease British Service model. Those are the two possibilities.

 

[Nickabod Crane]

Hello, i have a victory model serial number V31576. Smooth wood grips, lanyard loop hole on the butt, but its missing the loop itself, US NAVY stamped on the top left strap and CD stamped on both sides. 4in barrel in .38 special.

It was my fathers gun that went to me when he passed, and I pretty much know nothing about it. Its been sitting in my safe for close to 10 years now so i finally decided to look into it a little bit. Its special to me and will be passed to my son eventually, so i am just trying to see what i can find out about it.

 

[Targets Guy]

Hello, i have a victory model serial number V31576. Smooth wood grips, lanyard loop hole on the butt, but its missing the loop itself, US NAVY stamped on the top left strap and CD stamped on both sides. 4in barrel in .38 special.

It was my fathers gun that went to me when he passed, and I pretty much know nothing about it. Its been sitting in my safe for close to 10 years now so i finally decided to look into it a little bit. Its special to me and will be passed to my son eventually, so i am just trying to see what i can find out about it.

Welcome to the forum. Go through this thread and you will learn a ton about the Victory and pick up many tips on your Victory. With that s/n you have a very early Victory. It would have shipped in 1942.

 

[Absalom]

Indeed, as Mike says, mid-1942, and a direct US Navy purchase. These were used primarily for Naval and Marine aviators, but also ship-side guard duty, shore facilities etc.

The CD almost certainly stands for Civil Defense and is a relic of the Cold War. Military surplus revolvers were transfered to CD organizations after WW II, and since there was no marking standard, these tend to be haphazard and often impossible to attribute to a specific place.

The missing swivel is easy to replace; look for an original or replica on e-bay, Gunbroker, or at Numrich/Gun Parts Corp.

 

[Nickabod Crane]

Awesome, thank you guys for the info. I will definitely be looking for a replacement swivel.

 

[Phillies]

Hello. I just bought a Smith Wesson Victory revolver from a member on this forum. The revolver is still at my FFL but I was hoping someone might have info as to when it was made or shipped. I'm going to the the letter as well... It's a standard 4 inch .38 Special US Property GHD marked gun. The serial number is V 52119X.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Hello Phillies:

I can help you with that. Your Victory likely shipped from the factory in the January-March, 1944 time frame. That is based upon the information contained in the Victory Model Database.

Regards,
Charlie