Long time lurker. I have just purchased what I think might be a early Victory model. It is a 5 screw .38 special ser# 999468. It has a black parkerized finish smooth grips and a grip lanyard. Finish is 95% and barely a track line. I can't send pictures at the moment. I hope you guys can help me. I paid 200 for it and was up front with the owner on what I believed it to be and how much it could potentially be worth. 500 and above.

It's not quite a Victory. About 532 serial numbers short. All Victories have a V prefix SN, starting with V1. Yours probably shipped in June 1942, and many collectors would call it a pre-Victory M&P. You stole it for $200. If in the condition you describe, $500 would be a fair valuation. Any other markings on it? Some Navy guns existed in that SN range, but those would have the Navy property stamping on the topstrap. Most likely a DSC gun, less likely a Maritime Commission gun if there is no topstrap stamping.

That serial would be a very late pre-Victory from late spring 1942, shortly before the V-prefix started at V 1 when the numbers hit 999999.

If it is as nice as you say, and actually all-original and not refinished, $200 would indeed be a steal.

Pictures would be essential to assess originality. "Black parkerized" can cover a lot of interpretations . In the meantime, have you checked for all-matching serial numbers, including the right stock panel backside?

Have not removed the stocks yet. I read that not all Victorys had a V prefix if they were early models. I plan on posting pictures asap but that could be a few days because I'm not real good with that procedure.

Ser# matches on back of right grip panel and no signs of rust or corrosion . This great!

As DWalt says, if you want to be precise, the Victory moniker is tied to the V-prefix, so no V, no Victory. Many collectors call guns with the features typical for the Victory, but made before the serials reached 999999, "pre-Victory".

On the other hand, many folks are less picky and/or knowledgable, and on auction sites like Gunbroker you frequently find the Victory label used for any M&P from the era with lanyard loop and/or dull finish, V or not.

Thanks guys, this is why I came to this forum. The depth of knowledge is truly amazing. I know what I have is a pre Victoy model with a ser# very close to the "V" prefix. I will post pictures as soon as possible. Thanks again!

Keep in mind that all of the so-called "pre-Victory" revolvers did not have the flat oxide or phosphate finish. The earliest examples were finished with Carbonia blue, which was the standard commercial finish before the war.

Added: I believe the cutoff for the Carbonia blue finish was about December, 1941. After that the finish was dull, first using an oxide process and later a phosphate process.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

"I read that not all Victorys had a V prefix if they were early models."
Wherever you read that, it's incorrect. However, your revolver is in all respects identical to the Victory (V-series) revolvers which probably were made a few days later.

s/n 975939 shipped in 04/42
s/n 975093 shipped in 04/42
s/n 972535 shipped in 04/42
s/n 927625 shipped in 04/42

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Mike
S&WCA #3065