S&W Victory Model 38 Cal- need info

Msmac · #1 02-06-2014, 04:45 PM

I have a gun from my husband that is a S&W Victory Model
38 Cal. with a 4" barrel, wooden grip, hand ejector with a fixed sight. Serial number V-464XXX. I would like to know the age of the gun and a fair evaluation as I plan to sell it. It does not have a lanyard loop or holster. See attached photos.

samandglove1 · #2 02-06-2014, 05:17 PM

Can you double check the barrel length, as it looks to be a 5" barrel from the pictures. The revolver is a .38 S&W and not a .38 Special, if you did not know. It was probably sent to the British forces during WWII.

DWalt · #3 02-06-2014, 05:52 PM

What you have is a S&W Victory .38/200 British service revolver. It left the factory in the late 1943-early 1944 period. It was originally chambered in .38 S&W caliber, which was the official British service revolver cartridge, and should have a 5" barrel, measured from the front face of the cylinder. It should also have "U. S. Property" stamped on the top strap. The lanyard swivel hole has been plugged, but the loop is easily replaceable.

Aside from that, it appears to have been re-blued, as the finish does not seem original. A big question is if the chambers have been bored out to accept .38 S&W Special cartridges. You should attempt to determine if that has been done. The easiest way is to see if a .38 Special cartridge can be fully inserted into a chamber. Perhaps someone can help you.

As it is not original due to the finish plus the missing lanyard loop, and POSSIBLY rechambering, it will not bring top dollar. If not rechambered, I'd say you should attempt to get $350-$400 for it. If it has been rechambered, more like $250-$350. Others may differ on its value, but probably not by much. Be aware that a gun shop or pawn shop will really lowball you. A private sale is usually better.

opoefc · #4 02-07-2014, 01:15 AM

I can see some British proof marks on the left side of the barrel, which often indicate the gun has been converted to fire .38 S&W Special cartridges, but not always. Ed.

Msmac · #5 02-08-2014, 12:56 PM

I have cartridges that are .38 not .38 special. I re-measured and yes it is 5".

DWalt · #6 02-08-2014, 01:34 PM

If the chambers have been bored, both .38 S&W and .38 Special cartridges will fit. If not bored, only .38 S&W cartridges can be fully inserted. .38 Special cartridges cannot.

Msmac · #7 02-08-2014, 09:27 PM

I'll check that out later in the week, a friend has some 38 special cartridges. How can I tell if the gun has re-blued? I know it looks nice and clean but my husband was always meticulous with things and kept it in good condition.

DWalt · #8 02-08-2014, 10:43 PM

It looks like it has a blued finish and is shinier than I would expect. The original factory finish at the time of its manufacture was not blue. It was a dull phosphate finish which looks very different from yours. It is not unusual to find the original finish has been removed from wartime revolvers and the gun hot blued. It is especially prevalent on the .38/200 revolvers made for the British Commonwealth, as this one is.

Any changes made to the revolver that make it different from the way it was when it left the factory will cause its value as a collectible to plummet to nearly nothing. Collectors prize absolute originality. All that remains is what it may be worth to someone as a shooter, which will usually be about $300, more or less.

Msmac · #9 02-09-2014, 10:57 AM

Thanks for the info. I will have someone around here actually look at it and maybe they can determine if it has been re-blued.

Msmac · #10 02-09-2014, 05:11 PM

I got a 38 special bullet from a friend and it does not fit, only goes in up to the shell casing. Now I need to determine if in fact it has been re-blued. Any way to do that? My friend who knows a bit about guns doesn't think it has been but she isn't sure. Thanks again for all in info, sure learning a lot about guns!

zonker5 · #11 02-09-2014, 06:08 PM

Reblued.

DWalt is on target when he says the original finish was parkerised, not polished blue. The lanyard ring hole was probably plugged at the time it was refinished.

It has little to no collector value, it's appeal will be as a shooter and that is a small market with ammunition hard to find. If someone offers you $250 take it and run....and I'd really consider taking $200 if someone has cash in hand.

-Z-

DWalt · #12 02-09-2014, 06:13 PM

OK, so it has not been bored out for .38 Special, and that is very good. If you have a gun shop in your area, you might take it there and ask them (do not take it in loaded - they get mad). The original finish would not have been blued, but phosphated (sometimes called "Parkerized"). It is not at all shiny, but dull. As originally applied, it will be a dark gray to near black color but may have a slightly olive green cast that it acquires with age. Most anyone who has been around guns for any length of time should be able to tell at a glance the difference between a blued finish and a Parkerized finish. Virtually all US military firearms used during WWII and Korea, and even beyond, were given a phosphate finish, so it is not uncommon. The question to ask is simply "is it blued or Parkerized?"
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If blued, as I think it is, I'd say a private sale at $250-$300 is reasonable. The problem with .38 S&W ammunition is that, while it is still made, it is uncommon enough that most retail outlets and gun stores will not stock it, and when found, it can be expensive. It is available from internet sources. If your finish IS Parkerized, then the value goes up to maybe $400, or perhaps a little more. Heck - I'd even be interested at $300 even if it is blued, as I just like guns in .38 S&W and I reload for it.

Msmac · #13 02-10-2014, 12:14 PM

Thanks again for the info. I will take it to a gun shop and find out. I know he had it for at least 43 years and he was in Korea if that is where he got it, can't be sure. Also, I have a full box of 38 cal ammo plus 30 more....guess they are worth something if hard to come by. I'll check back in a week or so with info from gun dealer.