These would have had a "United States Property" stamping on the top strap if intended for military use, or possibly "U.S. NAVY".

Is the "United States Property" required along with "U.S. NAVY" to be authentic or is it possible that they can be stamped just U.S. NAVY? I'm trying to determine if a victory (with V Prefix but only U.S. NAVY is authentic. The Number range is V 140,XXX.

Thank You

I'm not sure I'm following the questions correctly but the spelled out "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" is correct on a BSR. If it is a U.S. military gun it will be marked "U.S. PROPERTY" or "U.S. NAVY". The Navy received guns with either marking but not both on the same gun.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

I'm close to buying a Victory, 38 Special marked U.S. NAVY, it only has that marking outside of the S&W normal stampings, there is no US PROPERTY markings. The number is V 140078. My concern is is it a genuine U.S. NAVY or a revolver issued to a defense plant with U.S. NAVY later added to increase its value.

"The Navy received guns with either marking but not both on the same gun."


kwill1911
Thank you very much, that confirms it.

Who and how do you contact to get the date of manufacture of a S&W Victory?

It probably shipped in November 1942. Manufacture dates are unknown but probably pretty close. Exact dates and destinations require a letter from the S&W Historical Foundation.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

Thank You Very Much.....I'm contacting S&W Historical Foundation for more detail.

I picked up another a couple of weeks ago. This one appears to be lightly fired, if at all, maybe even unissued. This one is black magic finish, blue ejector rod, 4" barrel, smooth grips numbered to the gun, lanyard ring, serial number V244900, AND, top strap is marked US NAVY.

A little personal history with the Victory revolver: I'm now 75. When I was around eight years old I sold newspapers on the street in downtown Hattiesburg, Ms. There were two real good Army Surplus stores downtown and I made it a point to walk through both of them every day as both of the owners would buy one of my five cent newspapers. I was constantly going through all of their inventory. The stuff they had back then would be a museum today. One of the things they had was lots of WWII and Korean era military guns. The Victory revolvers were plentiful and cheap. They sat in the display cases for a long time because nobody wanted them. Compared to the newer guns they were ugly and rough looking.

I joined the Navy in 1966. The security people on base and on board ship were still carrying Victory revolvers.

I joined the local PD at age 21 in 1969. We had to furnish our own handguns. I didn't have one so the chief open a large walk in safe, pull out an old ammo crate containing somewhere between 20-30 Victory revolvers. He told me he got them from nearby Camp Shelby, a very active WWII base. He told me I could borrow one until I could buy my own. I picked out a Navy marked Victory and carried it for about two months until I bought a 4" model 10-5. I turned the Victory back in. The Chief retired about four years later. After he left none of those Victory revolvers could be found.

New here to the group and was wondering if anyone here could help me understand what I have? I just picked up a 4 in barrel Victory, s/n v2705264. It's grayish blued, the revolver serial number matches the serial number on the inside of the grip. Barrel is marked 38 S&W SPECIAL CTG and it has lanyard ring installed. With its low serial number, I figured it would/should be a WW2 revolver, but there are no military markings on it at all! Just the S&W side marking, barrel markings and the Made in the U.S.A marking, So I'm confused! The person who sold it to me said it was a WW2 military revolver, but it has none of the usual markings! Don't know a lot about them but is it actually a military weapon? Love to know! Anyone have an idea or thought? Thanks for any help with this question I have,

Tracer:

You have at least one too many digits in your serial number. Please take a pic of the butt serial and post it here so that we can help you.

Regards,
Charlie

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Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

Dear Sir or Madam,

I appreciate your feedback on the above referenced. You asked for additional information, and so here it is: 4” barrel chambered in .38 Special. I don’t know what else to say about it, other than all numbers match, including the smooth wooden grips. I don’t see any good marks and they may have been polished off, but it operates well. Any further information would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Cyril
Grateful for your assistance.

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Hello all,
First time posting anything. I have a .38 Victory Pistol with the Cogswell & Harrison Ltd conversion to .38 Special. The serial number is V 408052. Any information would be a great help, as I'm just starting with this. Thank You for reading this.