Model 10 - .22 Victory What can you tell me about this one

shootingisfun · Sep 20, 2016

Found an old S&W revolver. It is a .22 but I don't know anything beyond that. Thought it might be a Model 10 Victory.

Please give me your opinion.

Thanks

Muley Gil · Sep 20, 2016

Welcome to the Forum.

You have a Victory model that was converted to .22, after WW II. The grips have been replaced and target sights have been added. Probably been reblued as well.

Model numbers didn't appear until 1957. Pre Model 10s had the post WW II short action. Your revolver has the older long action.

shootingisfun · Sep 20, 2016

Thanks for the information. Did this conversion happen to a lot of the pistols?

H Richard · Sep 20, 2016

The British Service Revolver, S&W 38 S&W with 5" barrel was probably the most "converted" revolver ever built. After the war, when so many were returned to the U.S. and over in England, thousands were, cut down, re-bored, or otherwise modified to something other than what they were produced as originally. Most are good shooters, very few would be collectable.

schutzen-jager · Sep 20, 2016

many of the post WWII .22 conversions are great quality workmanship by both Parker Hale + Cogswell + Harrison companies -

DWalt · Sep 20, 2016

I have no idea of how many .22 conversions were made, but I have seen only a couple of them. I also think most of the .22 conversions were done in England, and it was probably quite a job to do. I have some ads from old (early 1960s) gun magazines which show them. At that time, the typical .38 BSR conversions involving barrel shortening and re-chambering to .38 Special were selling in the $25-$35 price range. As near as I can remember, the .22 conversions were closer to $50. I'd have to pull out those old magazines to see for sure. I doubt there is much collector interest in these as they are not original, but there probably should be. I'd certainly buy one at a reasonable price as they are so unusual. I'm a sucker for oddball guns.

Mk VII · Sep 20, 2016

Any British proof marks?
Foreign exchange controls in those years meant dollar imports were expensive and converted-to-.22 war surplus ones was a way to get a S&W at lower prices.

DWalt · Sep 20, 2016

I did find an ad for one of the .38/200 BSR .22 conversions in the March 1961 American Rifleman. The ad is from Klein's Sporting Goods in Chicago (also the source of Lee Harvey Oswald's 6.5 Carcano rifle). It says (among a lot of puffery) "Custom converted in England...by finest English gunsmiths," "Brand new 6" barrel of finest alloy steel," "New rear sight is adjustable for windage and elevation...Patridge type front sight," "New checkered walnut grips." It also says it was proofed at Birmingham. Price is $39.88 (or $2.00 down, $1.97 a week for 22 weeks).

shootingisfun · Sep 24, 2016

Very interesting, thank you for doing the research. I will keep an eye on it.

Model 10 - .22 Victory What can you tell me about this one

shootingisfun

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Muley Gil

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shootingisfun

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H Richard

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schutzen-jager

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DWalt

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Mk VII

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DWalt

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shootingisfun

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