Here is one of three I've had over the years. It's a rework from the postwar years, probably for use in Vietnam. Serial number SV827XX, shipped in August, 1942. U.S. Navy issue, by the stamp on the top strap.

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

S/N V3075XX. Shipped 7/15/43 to US Navy, Oakland, CA.

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S&W Victory Pix #1.jpg (38.2 KB, 379 views)

Here's mine from May 1943 in .38SPL (not converted) and 98% condition. Enjoy!

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Dick

Here is an early Navy with the Navy markings on the left side of the frame

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Gary Grace
S&WCA #1837

Here ya go.......how about a pre and a post.

This is a post war "civilian victory" shipped March 1946



Next... a USDSC contract shipped April 1942

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Pace

Here are a few I have photos of, will have to take pictures of the others.

New Zealand Victory


Alcoa Defense Contractor Victory


Navy Marked Victory


US Maritime Commission Pre-Victory


Canadian Pre-Victory

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John. SWCA #1586

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Dennis

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

I've been thinking about aquiring a Victory or post-war 1949 (my DOB). Now they're on my list. Nice examples of S&W history!

Here is one of mine. Navy-marked, early 1943:

Here's mine with its old World War II army buddy Colt Commando.

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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208

Love that snubby, Kwill. Just found a Colt Commando 2", but still looking for a Victory.
Here are my 2 Victorys. USNavy marked on left, shipped 8/4/42 to USNavy Oakland, CA. USProperty marked on right, shipped to USNavy in Norfolk 3/19/43. I really like these, and they both shoot great!
Last pic is of the Victorys with their cousins, the Colt Commandos.

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	DSC06279.jpg (80.3 KB, 216 views)
	DSC06399.jpg (115.5 KB, 264 views)
	DSC06966.jpg (127.1 KB, 287 views)

Here's another - shipped to the US Navy in Norfolk, VA.

Jerry




And this one went to the US Navy in Oakland, CA.

Kwill and victorylarry, I noticed both of your 2" guns have the small post-war style ejector rods perhaps to allow the rod sufficient room to be depressed to clear the empties? Was this a feature of these guns? Thanks, John

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John. SWCA #1586

Hi John,
I believe they have straight ejector rods for exactly that purpose. I've only encountered two other 2" victories and they has straight rods as well. I don't recall if pre war M&P's with 2" barrels had straight rods.

This 2" victory went to Louisiana Dept of Corrections. The 2" colt commando is another tought gun to find. The WW2 colt detective special appears more frequently. I've come across several government purchase detective specials with the last one lettering to US Government counter-intelligence agency in Virgina.

Victory larry could you clear something up for me? When I read these answers I might be taking them to literally. You said the straight ejector rod was for clearing the empties. aren't all ejector rods for clearing empties? Maybe it means the rod has to clear the empties by not interfering with the empties as they are ejected? You said straight rod. Were some of the rods bent? I don't understand straight in this context. Why are the two inch guns different in function for ejector rods? These questions are not meant to be flipant or stupid. I am just ignorant. Mike

Can't speak for Victorylarry but the term straight rod means the rod is the same diameter it's full length allowing a greater portion of it to enter the yoke to eject the empties. The rods on two inch guns are shorter than the longer barreled guns and need the extra travel. If you look at the longer barreled Victories you will see they have an enlarged portion in the end that would severely limit the travel of a short rod as it would hit the yoke with very little movement.

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John. SWCA #1586

That clears it up for me. Thanks for the help. I saw the term "hand ejector model" and thought what other way is there to eject. If if you use the top break to open and clear the empties it is still hand ejected. They are not foot ejected or machine ejected or gravity ejected. I read Jinks book and he explains that the hand ejector term stems from the swing out cylinder and the shooters hand then pushing the ejector rod. Some of these terms are so familiar to long term users of S&W guns that their meaning is just understood. Well not to all of us. I am working on "coke bottle grips" now and just don't see it. Mike

Hello Mike, I was remiss in not saying welcome to the forum. Lots of good information here and glad you are willing to ask questions. There are quite a few archaic terms used by SW collectors and fans so fire away when something is not clear.

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John. SWCA #1586

1) I thought the Navy models were generally marked on the top? m1911's has the marking on the side... I haven't seen that before.

2) How much of a premium do the Navy marked ones generally fetch?

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Aaron Terry

Run of the mill "US Property GHD"

Thanks for the Welcome. I think each set of collectable guns has a certain lingo to describe features etc. I am more a winchester guy and if I said "Well my 94 has the rocky mountain and full buckhorn but it is a flat band and just doesn't look right. I think a SRC would look better with these but really a ladder is what that needs" collectors of 1894 model winchesters would understand but maybe not everyone in the gun trade.
Speaking of that kind of stuff don't you just cringe when a person says " I have a hex barrel rifle"? I usually say I would like to see it as I have never seen one. Still haven't. Mike

Mike, as to "Cokes" take a look at this thread.
Coke Grip info needed

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John. SWCA #1586

I read all that information and still don't see it. What I mean by that is the grips don't look like a coke bottle to me. Is it suppossed to be a back view, a side view or maybe just the grips off the frame. Maybe it stands for how the checkered panels are shaped. Anyway I still don't see the "coke". Maybe I don't have a good imaginition. Mike

I think the "coke bottle" reference is when viewing the grips from the rear. These grips flare out in the middle and then taper down toward the bottom of the grip. Like a Coke Bottle, they are slightly fatter in the middle. Standard grips lack the flare in the middle section.

Hope this helps.

Steve

Nothing special. No Navy markings, no U.S. Property - but it's the only one I've got - think I'll keep it.

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Stay away from impressionist art. LOL When looked at from the back strap they are wider in the middle than slightly above the top and bottom. Similar but less obvious than a coke bottle.

OK to get this back on track. I have a victory v667134. It is engraved under the cylinder latch Bavaria municipal police. It has the US property ghd with flaming bomb lightly in the top strap. .38 S&W cal. Case hammer and trigger and the rest parked. About 85% with smooth grips and lanyard.
Q. Where is Bavaria (I know Germany but not that one)?
What is a rough guestimate to what it could sell for in todays market? Can you tell the DOM from the serial number?
It is a five screw but no coke grips Ha!

When you open a top-break, the ejector rises automatically as the barrel pivots, so, basically only ONE action is required- opening the gun.

When you open a Hand Ejector, the cylinder simply sits there- no ejection occurs. You have to use your HAND to eject them. They are ejected by hand, not automatically.


ALL pre-war 2 inch 38 M&P's had the straight ejector rod with no knob at the end. They were first built in 1933.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Here's my one & only. It's in .38 special and the gun is all original. The serial number is V153XXX with no military markings except for what's on the butt.

That in all probability IS Bavaria, Germany. Large numbers of Victory models were issued to German municipal police units to help maintain order right after the war. Markings varied.

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

This is kind of a pre-Victory (no V or S in the serial prefix). I recently sold it to a friend, but I am getting it back soon I hope. I liked shooting the old .38 S & W.

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Vaya con Dios

OK I thought about that too. There are no additional proof marks from any other country. The engraving is in English and not in German. How or why did the revolver get back to the states after being given to Bavaria? Most likely a European cartridge would be prefered over a 38 S&W. Heck 38 S&W is hard to find here. The revolver is in good shape and doesn't look like it has been carried or fired much. Most police departments pratice a lot and should have worn it a little more than this.
Anyway does this marking enhance, detract or just make interesting the value? Could I get $400 for it? Mike

German cops like autos; they used to like 32ACPs. When they could get autos after the war, they surplussed their Bavarian Municipal Police revolvers. I've seen several of them; wish I could find one for myself.

[IMG]

Okay, I'm pretty pleased with my new purchase. (I paid $275) I thought I'd better add my photos to this thread. I still haven't had the grip panels examined by an expert, but I'm pretty certain they're ivory. Any comments would be appreciated!

^ Wow!!!!!

It is different alright. Will have to think about its appeal though.

I'm no expert, but I agree, looks like ivory. Which makes that a heck of a deal in my opinion. Nice find.

South Africa gun shipped May 3, 1940

Pre-Victory 5" Australian return in 38 S&W.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Hey, thank you. I had our local dealer look at the grip panels yesterday, and he verified that they are in fact ivory. He tested one by heating up a small piece of steel to a glowing red, then touching the back of the panel. It didn't melt, and it smelled like burning hair. Certainly one of my best finds!

5" New Zealand issued .38S&W. I have always wondered about the stocks, though I've seen a few Commonwealth Victorys with commercial stocks, many have the smooth ones.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

here's mine....actually pre-Victory. SN 997XXX:

This is an Australian FTR, MA 54, that I acquired during the mid 90's in the DFW area. It is a V serial number (not S or VS). They really took good care of this one coming out of FTR. It even came with the little pamphlet that gave the user the basic information needed for operation. Not an operator's manual, but an info sheet on the gun, and it's basic usage and history.

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	auss V 001.jpg (148.2 KB, 96 views)
	auss V 002.jpg (150.8 KB, 92 views)
	aussie pam.jpg (47.8 KB, 101 views)
	aussie pam2.jpg (45.7 KB, 83 views)

This one is also marked for a German PD.

I bought this a couple years ago, my only one. I saw some at a weekend gunshow, 5 or 6 actually, all priced in the stratosphere.

Here's my one and only (for now)...

All original, including the lanyard.
I wish I had the stories to go with her.

The previous owner's wife had wrapped the lanyard around the gun and stored it in their damp cellar. Oh, well.

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	victory2.jpg (117.2 KB, 274 views)