Victory data base

Thanks Charlie! This all makes sense now, thank you...

Yes, I was just trying to find out about the star proof and couldn't find anything. And yes there is a 3 digit code on the frame, looks like 9 50 or 9 60 (I assume Sept. 1950/60?) I'll get my loupe out to take a closer look soon.

Thanks for saving me from buying some unissued grip stocks! Was just about to pull the trigger! (but I still kinda want to!)

P. S. Regarding the photos, click on them for larger versions. If you're on your phone, then also switch to desktop mode in your browser.
 
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Muley Gil said:
Chamberlin,

Is there any chance your father did the modification to the top of the left grip?
Click to expand...


Nope! We've never even fired the gun (although it does need cleaning from the previous owner). That said, I think my father acquired the gun about 15-20 years ago, and like any other C&R gun he gets he doesn't do much with them other than look at them for a while and put them in the safe. We've fired a few of our guns of course, but I don't think we ever shot this one. He has a minty 1970 Model 28 Highway Patrolman that I think discouraged him from wanting to shoot revolvers (although .357 mag is a big difference from .38 S&W Special!).
 
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Chamberlin said:
Thanks Charlie! This all makes sense now, thank you...

Yes, I was just trying to find out about the star proof and couldn't find anything. And yes there is a 3 digit code on the frame, looks like 9 50 or 9 60 (I assume Sept. 1950/60?) I'll get my loupe out to take a closer look soon.
Click to expand...

Chamberlin:

You are very welcome. Yes, the 3 digit code is September of 1950 or 1960. I will leave it up to you to determine if it is a 50 or a 60 on the frame.
 
Chamberlin said:
.... And yes there is a 3 digit code on the frame, looks like 9 50 or 9 60 (I assume Sept. 1950/60?) .... .
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If the gun went back to the factory in 1950 or 1960, it wouldn’t have been just for new stocks, and that significantly increases the chance that it got an (“original”) refinish. The finish is in suspiciously excellent and consistent condition for an early-war vintage.
 
Absalom said:
If the gun went back to the factory in 1950 or 1960, it wouldn’t have been just for new stocks, and that significantly increases the chance that it got an (“original”) refinish. The finish is in suspiciously excellent and consistent condition for an early-war vintage.
Click to expand...


That also makes complete sense, thank you guys for your input! Factory refurb/upgraded Victory pistol! Very interesting.
 
[talltale]Let me surmise it was owned by Allen Dulles of CIA fame who sent it back to S&W in September 1960 for a refinish and installation of magna grips modified for a speed loader. Shortly after getting the gun back, Dulles passed away and it was sold out of his estate.[/talltale]
Am I getting warm? ;)
 
Will do guys- We've got bring back papers for 3 other of our WWII era pistols, and I think it would be great to get a factory background check on this S/N and see where/how it passed through history before it ended up in our gun safe!
 
Wiregrassguy said:
[talltale]Let me surmise it was owned by Allen Dulles of CIA fame who sent it back to S&W in September 1960 for a refinish and installation of magna grips modified for a speed loader. Shortly after getting the gun back, Dulles passed away and it was sold out of his estate.[/talltale]
Am I getting warm? ;)
Click to expand...

Guy
In one work, NO!
 
An earlier owner appears to have used a grip adapter at some point. Note the two small rectangular depressions high on the front edge of each cheek piece where the metal ears on the adapter crushed the grain of the wood when the grip screw was fully tightened.

The use of an adapter as well as the speedloader reconfiguration of the left cheek piece suggests that the former owner may have had a professional interest in mods that permitted fast reloads and quick orientation on a target. But then lots of people make changes like that whether they are in such a profession or not, so who knows.
 
Chamberlin said:
. . . . We've got bring back papers for 3 other of our WWII era pistols, . . . . .
Click to expand...
Chamberlin, do you participate in the "Military Handgun Forum". If not, you should.

Your WWII handguns would be very much appreciated there. As, would this Victory. It's a very active forum with a lot of knowledgeable collectors.

Link> Military Handgun Forum | Gunboards Forums
 
Quiet 1 said:
Chamberlin, do you participate in the "Military Handgun Forum". If not, you should.

Your WWII handguns would be very much appreciated there. As, would this Victory. It's a very active forum with a lot of knowledgeable collectors.

Link> Military Handgun Forum | Gunboards Forums
Click to expand...


Hello Quiet 1, I'm not on that forum, but I've been on the German rifles area of that site recently while researching our 1944 dated K98 Mauser. I've got about 26 rifles and 18 pistols I'm cataloging on a spreadsheet, as my father has sadly asked me to sell the collection for him (he's 83 now and has had his fun with them). I was a fairly avid C&R collector myself in the late 90's early 2000's, which evolved into devoting over 10 years of my firearms time completely to the Kalashnikov rifle and other Soviet weapons. I founded a world-wide experts group for the AK-47 and its variants called the KCA (Kalashnikov Collectors Association) in 2001, but have since left the gun collecting hobby some years ago. It's been fun re-visiting my father's collection for sure, largely in part to active forums like this! Thank you for your encouragement...
 
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