Old .38 S&W 4", Victory grips, not a Victory?

AirCommando

AirCommando

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I saw an unusual revolver today at a local shop. At first glance, it looked like a Victory, but it was a bright blue polished finish. Victory grips, 38 S&W cal on right side of the 4" barrel. It was tagged as a pre mod. 10. The bottom of the butt had a lanyard ring filled hole. Serial number is 19603. That's all. They don't know what it is, and neither do I!:o

Any help on this? They want $249 for it.

AC
 
Is there a 'V" in front of that serial number? Are you sure there are only 5 digits in the number, and it's not the assembly/work number you are looking at on the frame & yoke? Is that the number on the butt, cylinder & barrel? Ed.
 
No V in front of the number. It is on the bottom of the grip frame. I didn't read the number on the side if the crane, it was a different number. Serial number is 5 digits. It is a 5 screw.
I didn't examine the numbers, but I can go back and take pics if they let me. I asked another gun shop owner about it and he thinks it is a parts gun.

AC
 
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You just have to check and see if the serial number is on th other parts of the gun. There are also going to be assemly numbers so dont get those confused with the serial numbers on the other parts. Look for the number on the barrel, cylinder, ejector star and see if they match the number on the butt.What does the front sight liike like? There is also a chance the hole in the butt if not factory might have taken away the first digit in the serial number? Checking these numbers will help you find if its a parts gun. They made so many, it could be alot of diff things. Can you take some pics and post them here? This always helps...
 
Well, I don't think it is a pre mod. 10, and it is not a Victory, and it is old. I do think it is refinished. The 38 S&W caliber is what has me wondering. The serial number is to the left of the filled hole. It didn't look like any numbers were drilled out.
I will go back and take some pics tomorrow.

AC
 
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I'm almost sure that you saw a refinished (by the importer) .38/200 that may have been rechambered for .38 Special.

DO NOT buy it. I have to run. Someone else will tell you why.

T-Star
 
That's probably what it is, T-Star. I have a pre victory, marked with Canadian Army marks and then the usual British marks when it was sent back. It has a 6 digit serial number, so if this one is a 38/200, it is an early one. It probably wasn't in the lend lease program. I'll ask if we could check the chambers to see if it is still 38 S&W.

AC
 
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Two things we know for certain (1) It's not a Victory, as it has no "V" in front of the serial number, and (2) it's not a Pre-Victory, as no Pre-Victories had 5 digit serial numbers. So I'm leaning towards the parts gun theory. Ed #15
 
Pics added

OK, here are the pics.
I think you called it, T-Star. I don't know why, if the plug is where a last digit would be in the serial #, that the hole was made after production.

38200001.jpg

38200002.jpg

38200003.jpg

38200005.jpg

38200006.jpg


AC
 
My 2 cents on this gun,side plate and screw holes don't look right to me.Screws in side plate are kind of funky.Front sight looks strange at bottom.Marks on barrel look off center.S&W emblem looks worn.LEAVE it in the store and look for a better one.
 
Yep, I'm going to pass on this one, but I still am curious as to what it is. Now, in looking at my first picture, it would be cool if those grips belong on the gun below it and that gun is a Victory. They call that one a pre model 10, but it looks like a victory finish, but the front sight is wrong.:confused:

AC
 
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It may just be distortion from the picture but it looks to me like that barrel has been shortened as well. Judging by the thickness at the muzzle, the slightly offset roll stamp and it looks like the front sight has been soldered back on. The way those grips fit I thing that when it was refinished the old serial number was removed and the current number hand stamped on it.

The pistol below it may be a Victory but that front site does not look correct.

But then again it's early and I have not had my first cup of tea yet, so I could be completely off base.
 
My best guess is this was a 5" Victory Model in .38/200, refinished, with a shortened barrel, the front sight added on after the shortening, and the butt milled so the original serial number was removed. (Note how the stocks are slightly too long for the grip frame.) I'd also guess someone restamped an assembly number there, thinking it was the true SN. If you are really curious you'll probably find the true SN on the barrel flat above the ejector rod and the rear cylinder face (if these were not also removed).
 
We took the gun back to where the ammo was and it chambers 38 special rounds. I'm going back to check out that parkerized gun. It probably is a refinished pre model 10.:mad: I'll check out the other numbers on the blue gun too.

AC
 
I'm a sucker for an inexpensive S&W, and a challenged finish on a revolver has never held me back from a purchase. IF the revolver was otherwise in a configuration that interested me. I don't mean to seem rude but other than morbid curiosity why are you investing your time in those revolvers? In that price range you can still find unaltered Victories. Though for $250 they are likely to have incorrect grips or be missing the lanyard. You can also find worn but mechanically good pre Model 10's in that price range. Heck, they made a couple million M10's didn't they?

If you buy either of those revolvers they will bring you no joy. I'm not as obsessed with finish condition as some of the advanced collectors here, but I am concerned with original configuration and mechanical condition. You know those have been modified, and not in a good way.

Consider those a learning experience on what to look out for but please, walk away after looking. If you really want them offer the guy $300 for the pair out the door. That's probably going to be the best offer he will get and close to their real value. Then you can satisfy your curiosity and probably do slightly better than break even when you sell them. and you will sell them.
 
You're right walnutred, I've spent too much time & effort on these! The bottom one is a 10-5 that was beadblasted and refinished. The serial numbers under the barrel and on the back of the cylinder on the top gun have been erased. This was a good lesson, thanks for the help guys! That is what this forum is for, I think.:)

AC
 
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