Help with US Navy Victory

[zainyD]

Gentlemen, the US Navy marked Victory below came recently came to a friend of mine along with a few other guns. I offered to assist him in finding new homes for them and with assessing their approximate value. This Victory was one of two Smith and Wesson .38's that he obtained. The other was a beat up, refinished M&P Hand Ejector that had seen better days. It has already been resold. The Victory on the other hand is in very nice, original condition. I would like to get some additional information on it if possible.

The serial number on the butt of the pistol is V32851. The cylinder has the same number except for the "V" prefix. On the inside of the frame is stamped "C" and below that is the number 68998 which is also stamped on the crane with the letter "S" which I believe means that it has the safety lever installed in the action. I can see the lever when the hammer is cocked in the single action position. The parkerized finish appears original and the lanyard ring has been retained. The grips are period correct, but are not number matched to the gun. The color case hardening on the hammer and trigger is very nice. There is a turn ring, but it is not heavy. The pistol came in a black leather S&W holster. The pistol is marked US Navy on the left side of the top strap and the barrel indicates .38 S&W Special Ctg. (.38spl). I have no history on the pistol other than it, along with five other guns, was obtained from a widow who's husband passed away several years ago.

Any information you could provide me would be most helpful in assessing it's age and value.

[DWalt]

I think you've covered everything. It probably shipped around July 1942, at least I show others with very nearby SNs which shipped then. I don't know if the "s" stamping in the yoke area indicates the 1945 hammer safety, but if you can actually see the safety connector in the hammer well, then it may be. The best way to tell positively is to pop off the sideplate (assuming you know the correct way to do that).

I'd say the current retail value would be $700-800, but on one of the gun auction sites, who knows? The unmatched grip SN does devalue it somewhat to serious collectors. I cannot comment about the holster, but I feel it is not Navy.

[zainyD]

I carefully took the side plate off and the safety connecter is installed. The internals were in excellent condition.

[DWalt]

Early modified victories I have seen have the "s" on the upper limb of the sideplate or ahead of the "V" of the butt SN. I guess it may have been optional where the "s" was stamped for a post-manufacture installation of the improved hammer safety.

I assume that the post-1945 hammer safety modifications of pre-1945 guns were done by S&W, as it's beyond being a simple procedure, but I haven't seen or heard anything factual. Maybe someone can enlighten us.

[tlay]

If this is a Navy victory would it be marked Navy on the top strap? After looking closer it appears to say something but I can't make it out.

[DWalt]

Originally Posted by tlay

If this is a Navy victory would it be marked Navy on the top strap? After looking closer it appears to say something but I can't make it out.

OP said it was Navy marked.

[Muss Muggins]

Excellent example of a Navy Victory. I enlarged the pic, and it definitely is marked U.S. Navy, like mine. As for the holster, definitely not Navy . . .

[scha]

According to Charles Pate's book, US Handguns of WWII, there is a reference to 40,000 38 Special Smith & Wesson revolvers being returned to Smith & Wesson for repair. The factory installed the new style hammer block at a price of $9.50 each. This was an order dated 5/18/1945. His book also mentions that an "S" was stamped on the toe of the butt or on the upper rear of the side plate.

Hope this helps.

Steve

[05CarbonDRZ]

Wow $9.50/ea,That was a lot of scratch in 1945.....

[DWalt]

" His book also mentions that an "S" was stamped on the toe of the butt or on the upper rear of the side plate."

That's what I thought. I've not seen nor heard of the "s" stamping in the yoke area.

[DWalt]

Originally Posted by 05CarbonDRZ

Wow $9.50/ea,That was a lot of scratch in 1945.....

Yes, probably the equivalent of about $150 or more today. At that time, $30-$40/week was considered pretty good pay for most non-professional workers.

[zainyD]

Thanks for all the useful information. I'll inspect it more closely to see if the S is stamped anywhere else on the pistol.

[scha]

For what it is worth, Pate's book also lists the price the government paid for the revolvers. It ranged from $20.20 to $24.00 or so from 1942 until 1945. The government didn't pay extra for the 2 inch barrel versions. 300 Victory revolvers with 2 inch barrels were priced at $21.00 each for a contract on 10/19/1942.

Steve