Ran across an estate sale with this photo and a listing for a "Victory Model .38 Special) and a S&W .32 Hand Ejector.



Based on my limited knowledge I'd say both have been refinished and probably not by S&W given the appearance of the hammers and triggers. The "Victory" has the wrong stocks and has had the barrel bobbed with I believe a non factory front sight blade, maybe not. The .32 looks like it's missing it's front sight and I have no idea about the stocks.

Of the two I thought I might check out the "Victory". If it's chambered for .38 Special (guess I could use the serial number to try and figure that out) maybe I could at least enjoy it as a plinker or "truck gun" if it goes cheap.

What do you folks think? Is the ejector just hanging other an issue? Things I should check? Ballpark value? TIA

RS, I'm looking at the same auction (in Bedford.) That auctioneer has totally unpredictable events and merchandise. I've gotten some real bargains and have seen some total junk run up as treasure... the only way to tell is to hold the stuff in your hand and evaluate it with a totally critical eye, then set your max and stick with it. I'm in the market for that I-frame as a parts gun, if it can be bought accordingly, but if "Billy Bob" is there in a bidding mood, that won't happen! I plan to be there early for the viewing and see whether it will be worth wasting a day waiting for the good stuff to show up. Look for my little black "go to 7734" hat with the red badge on the front.

Froggie

I would pass on both of those.

Took several years, a lot of frustration, and many dollars to realize that trying to rebuild butchered guns is a bad idea. If you are a competent gunsmith and can do the work yourself, and if you get the gun for free, it makes sense. Otherwise, no. If you have to pay a professional to do anything then you will have too much invested. If the gun costs anything to buy then you will have too much invested.

Thanks to all for the replies. Was kind of thinking that if the victory was tight and serviceable that I could turn it into a S&W version of a mini Fitz Special.

Green Frog,

I too have picked up a couple of good deals from their auctions but as you mentioned, some folks will get crazy stupid on the least expensive items. I'm not 100% that I'll attend. I've got to load out a couple of crews tomorrow and won't know until later tonight if it will be morning or afternoon. Plus there's another auction with a really minty Valmet 76 that I'd sure like to bring home. If I decide to go just look for the guy with the Buck knives ball cap. I'm 6'4" and 350 so you can't miss me even without the hat.

I like the little Astra.25 best out of that lot.

Dollar to a doughnut the Victory is a lend-lease .38 S&W version anyway. I recently saw one with the exact same non-factory nickel/bobbed barrel for close to $400 in a pawn shop. I'm sure some idiot will come along and buy it 'cuz it's shiny.

Seems like the Victory (which was indeed a bodged-up Military model) went for about $400, the badly renickeled .32 RP went for almost $300, and the Navy Arms Remington copy went for $175 with modern hard case and accessories. The Astra was going up fast, but by then I wasn't interested any more. Not a great day for bargains... had to wait for pottery and paper and loads of other stuff to sell between each gun and the next.

Froggie

Sounds like it was no great loss to miss out on those.

I agree with the sentiment that "Rescue Missions" are rough on the wallet and usually yield only marginal results anyways.

__________________
You're shy a few manners.

This auctioneer has a weird way of setting things up, and always mixes the guns in a general auction between everything from china to toys and Christmas ornaments. It's like going to an auction at Goodwill, almost. I should have learned my lesson by now, but when he has a couple of good things I want to own, I just get sucked in again.

Froggie