Hello Im new to this forum, so please excuse my ignorance. I recently purchased a 38 S&W Victory as shooter. Im hoping you can tell me more about it. Here is what I know:
1) Serial Number V184254 - 38 S&W (has not been bored to a 38 Special)
2) It has a 5 inch barrel, fixed sites, 5 screw construction, it has lanyard swivel, and a strain screw
3) It has few markings, no US Navy Marking, it has GHD Mark on the butt
4) Serial numbers match on butt and cylinder
5) It has been re-blued (thus the shooter)
6) No making on the grip or back straps

Thank you in advance

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It's the British Service Revolver Lend Lease variation, shipped to England or one of the colonies. It probably had US Property markings on the top strap that were polished off in the refinishing process. It originally had the dull phosphate wartime finish. The serial number should also be on the barrel if it is original to the gun. The grips are after market replacements of the original smooth walnut stocks.

Thank you very much! yes, it does have the same serial number on the barrel. Do you know when it would have been manufactured and shipped?

Those grips look excellent

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10/13/pre15/19/28/442

The serial puts it in late 1942 or early 1943. The refinisher appears to have done a nice job; at least he knew enough to leave the hammer and trigger in their original case-colored condition. And I would upgrade opoefc's "probably" and say that the topstrap property stamping was definitely removed; in that serial range all .38 S&W BSR's went to lend-lease. Btw., the US NAVY marking you mention would not be found on a .38 S&W Victory version, only on the 4" barreled US version in .38 Special.

Hello Keith, you have a handsome old gun suitable as a nightstand/shooter.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Nice gun, enjoy.


Semper Fi

Nice looking gun. The stocks almost look plastic. If so, I'd be on the prowl for something different but definitely a nicely refinished old firearm. Hopefully you reload. Once you find some ammo or brass, you can shoot that thing as cheaply as anything else you'll get your hands on.

I should be so lucky as to blunder into a great old gun like that one.

I like the gun just the way it is! Those stocks look just fine on there.

Welcome to the forum, KeithK2.

I'll add my appreciation for your Victory. Those snazzy stocks fit the blue; no reason to throw money at an authentic pair of stocks.

Cheers,

Bob

ps: Very nice job of offering the data to help the knowledgeable ones help you determine what you have.

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Hope you load your own. The 38 S&W is easy to load but hard to buy. I have several revolvers in this caliber and cases are available and I use lead bullets sized .358 (.360 I later found could be had but the 358s work OK for me).

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No life story has happy end.

FWIW,
Sportsmansguide has .38 S&W (PPU) starting at about $18.99 (If you are a club member, $19.99 if you are not)