Thanks Charlie!
Victory data base
- Thread starter zonker5
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- May 7, 2024
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Hi All, have what I think is a victory based on SN at auction. Any additional info would be great. Barrel length and sights confuse me because I didnt think the victory models were available in this configuration. It also had newer K frame grips on it. Barrel looks like its smooth bore the last 2" or so. SN is V633455. No caliber is marked on barrel. Has this been rebarreled? Also, any idea where I can get some period correct grips?
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It has been rebarreled reblued, buffed, adjustable sights drilled and tapped in frame and lanyard hole plugged.
I wouldn't worry about putting original grips back on it. There is nothing original left on the gun except the bare frame.
I agree, it's only value will be in how well it shoots for you...Find grips that are comfortable for your hand, and try it out on the range...
...BenHello,
I just purchased a Victory .38 S&W Special Ctg Pistol.
Any information I can get for it would be greatly appreciated.
Serial number V200929 and every part that has a serial number on it including the grips, matches the frame Serial.
I just purchased a Victory .38 S&W Special Ctg Pistol.
Any information I can get for it would be greatly appreciated.
Serial number V200929 and every part that has a serial number on it including the grips, matches the frame Serial.
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ordnanceguy
Member
Hello Will4me:
Your Victory is listed in the SWCA Database. According to our Database your revolver shipped in December, 1942 to the U.S. Navy at Oakland, CA as 1 of 1500 units in the shipment.
By the way, it further appears that your Victory was sent back to the factory and repaired in November, 1961 for the City of Moses Lake, Washington Police Department. Thus, your revolver may have had a second career after leaving the Navy. You might want to check the left side of the grip frame with the stocks off to see if there are any repair markings there.
I hope that information is helpful to you.
Regards,
Charlie Flick
Gorgeous gun...Congratulations...Anybody would be proud to own it, especially me.
Charlie,
Thank you for the response.
I lucked into this pistol at a local gunshow.
Thanks for all the info and I do love this pistol.
William
Here are some pictures of the markings under the grips.
ordnanceguy
Member
William:
You are welcome.
The diamond symbol is usually considered to be an indicator of a factory repair. The 1161 translates to November, 1961 for the repair work date.
Regards,
Charlie
You are welcome.
The diamond symbol is usually considered to be an indicator of a factory repair. The 1161 translates to November, 1961 for the repair work date.
Regards,
Charlie
Good day:
Recently learned my brother-in-law who passed away last year had a Victory. Serial V345167. Using information from this very useful thread I think this example was likely manufactured in the July, 1943 to August, 1943 period. Does that seem correct?
Thank you.
Ned
Recently learned my brother-in-law who passed away last year had a Victory. Serial V345167. Using information from this very useful thread I think this example was likely manufactured in the July, 1943 to August, 1943 period. Does that seem correct?
Thank you.
Ned
ordnanceguy
Member
Yes, Ned, your July or August, 1943 range is correct on the ship date for this Victory.
Regards,
Charlie
Add This One
Here is one with no marking on the top strap, P on the barrel flat and above the cylinder latch, with ordnance (flaming bomb) mark mixed in with the serial number. Then there is the W stamped on the butt. Any available info would be appreciated, of course. This one has been very lightly used and I'm thinking DSC.
I'm pretty sure I have a butt swivel for it somewhere.
Edit to add P on the rear face of the cylinder.
Here is one with no marking on the top strap, P on the barrel flat and above the cylinder latch, with ordnance (flaming bomb) mark mixed in with the serial number. Then there is the W stamped on the butt. Any available info would be appreciated, of course. This one has been very lightly used and I'm thinking DSC.
I'm pretty sure I have a butt swivel for it somewhere.
Edit to add P on the rear face of the cylinder.
Attachments
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After reading C. Pate again some of the marking point towards Army Supply Program (ASP) but I am still a little confused as to the year.
Victory confusion
I recently got this Victory Model in very good condition. All serial numbers and assembly numbers are where they're supposed to be and are matching.
My confusion stems from the Historical Letter that came with it. From my admittedly limited knowledge, I don't believe the shipping date and the finish can be correct.
What is the opinion of the experts?
I recently got this Victory Model in very good condition. All serial numbers and assembly numbers are where they're supposed to be and are matching.
My confusion stems from the Historical Letter that came with it. From my admittedly limited knowledge, I don't believe the shipping date and the finish can be correct.
What is the opinion of the experts?
No expert here, but according to Pate, from March, 1942 till the end of the war, finish was, sandblast "Black Magic" (parkerized).
Not an expert, but the finish looks right to me...Proprietary oxide finish known as "Black Magic". There were a few parkerized in 1942, but I am not sure if zinc oxide or manganese oxide was used....The manganese oxide parkerized is charcoal black, whereas zinc is lighter gray.
I would imagine that the information on the letter would be correct as actual shipping invoices and dates are reviewed when research is done. What exactly makes you think something is wrong with the date?
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Charlie is the expert on these, but from what I have seen, the serial number doesn't always correspond with shipping date. Say a 5 inch .38/200 model is produced and the order is 2500 guns. Then simultaneous orders for 4 inch guns comes in in .38 Special for the US Maritime Commission....
Then some stamped and numbered frames are sent back for tolerance issues and then used in another batch, but they sat in a pile for 6 months waiting on tolerance repair or another like order or whatever other chaotic issues that S&W had at this time.
It's frankly amazing that S&W kept such good records during wartime and people like Roy Jinks and others saved those records.
I was researching a wartime British Webley and that company kept nothing...Zilch, nada.
ordnanceguy
Member
Retired W4:
Your V492220 likely shipped from the factory in the December, 1943 to January, 1944 time. Your suggestion that it may be a DSC authorized shipment is probably accurate, although it is also possible that it was a Maritime Commission shipment. Many examples of both destinations are found in close proximity to your serial number.
Regards,
Charlie
