38 M&P Victory

[boiler bill]

Looking to find a fair price for a 38 M&P in 38 S&W. The gun is not mint but pretty nice. Parkerized with matching wood grips. V in front of the S/N

Thanks

 

[boiler bill]

Caliber 38 S&W barrel length 4" or 4 1/4 ( didn't measure it ), Finish Parkerized, S/N V43.xxx, plain walnut wood grips. I didn't look that good at it and didn't think that much about it until I got home and thought about the caliber, 38 S&W. I have a few S&W in 38 S&W and thought I might add another. I didn't look for proof markings etc. Cylinder, barrel and frame S/N all match I don't know about the grips. Locks up tight and no end play on the cylinder. Just looking for a ball park number. He is asking $625.00. I felt that was a little high.
Thanks

 

[Ron M.]

$625? About going rate here in CA for an unmolested example, but we are nuts here in regards to prices. With the barrel length of 4 or so inches, it could have been cut down from the "standard" 5 inch barrel lend-lease issued S&W Victories during the war. Is there a lanyard ring? Except for the S&W cartridge designation, sounds like my own .38 special victory.

 

[Absalom]

I still need to make some assumptions based on your descriptions. With .38 S&W on the barrel and that serial, it is a 5" barrel originally and a British Service Model. In good condition, with the cylinder not rechambered to .38 Special and preferably the grip serial matching, that should be a $400 max. gun. Any modifications, drop a hundred or more depending on the severity of the mods, like a cut barrel is worse than a reamed cylinder. The serial puts the gun in late summer 1942.

 

[boiler bill]

Yes there is a lanyard ring. I didn't look all that close at it as I was trolling for another 1917. got home and thought I might need another 38 S&W caliber gun. I should have paid more attention to it and look for more info. I be back tomorrow and look a lot closer at it.

 

[Ron M.]

Keep us informed. A lot of Victory lovers (myself included) are more than willing to help!

 

[DWalt]

$625 would be an insane price if it has been modified as so many BSRs found in the USA were. If original, it would have a 5" barrel, and the chambers would not be bored to accept .38 Special cartridges. Many surplussed-out BSRs will also have various British proof stampings which are detrimental to value.

 

[Targets Guy]

This one has been refinished but is not bored and remains a .38S&W. Five inch barrel. Shoots nicely. I paid $400 for it. It is my only .38S&W shooter. It shipped in August 1944.

 

[Targets Guy]

I just picked up this Victory 5" barrel model. S/N is V450xxx. It is a 38SW caliber and does not appear to have been refinished. Will know more when I have possession of it.

 

[Absalom]

I just picked up this Victory 5" barrel model. S/N is V450xxx. It is a 38SW caliber and does not appear to have been refinished. Will know more when I have possession of it.

Unless they used a really distorting wide-angle lens, that looks like a 6", not a 5" barrel, meaning that at that serial the barrel has to be a replacement.

 

[Targets Guy]

I'm hoping that they used the old fisherman trick of holding the fish close to the camera lens to make the fish appear larger. To me it looks the same as the barrel in post #9 and I know that is a 5".

 

[DWalt]

Looks like a 6" bbl to me.

 

[Targets Guy]

The mystery will be solved when I get the revolver. I think it is a 5" as it has the same relationship as the known 5" posted before it.

different angle but still an angle between camera and object





and this is a six inch barrel on a 1905 3rd change

 

[Kiwi cop]

I paid $450 NZ (today's exchange rate is NZ $0.75/US $1 today but it's usually around $0.72) for my civilian issue (early 1942) 4" 38 S&W Victory about 4 years ago.

Mind you a used model 10 in .38 Special will set you back around $750 NZ here for the last decade or so

 

[Targets Guy]

Unless they used a really distorting wide-angle lens, that looks like a 6", not a 5" barrel, meaning that at that serial the barrel has to be a replacement.

Looks like a 6" bbl to me.

Picked up the Victory today. It is a 5" barrel. .38SW caliber. Pretty dirty in the bore hope that cleans up okay. Gunsmith has it now to check it out.

 

[Absalom]

Picked up the Victory today. It is a 5" barrel. .38SW caliber. Pretty dirty in the bore hope that cleans up okay. Gunsmith has it now to check it out.

Well, optics can be deceptive.

Even with a dirty bore, outside finish appearance seems decent for an original. How is it markings-wise? Any proofs or other stampings on the other side? Matching serial on the stocks?

 

[Targets Guy]

Well, optics can be deceptive.

Even with a dirty bore, outside finish appearance seems decent for an original. How is it markings-wise? Any proofs or other stampings on the other side? Matching serial on the stocks?

Based on a quick glance all I saw were three "P"s. One following the serial number on the flat underbarrel, one on the back of the cylinder and one high on the left side of the revolver next to the hammer. Serial number matches on butt grip, flat underbarrel and back of cylinder. I still haven't pulled the stocks yet. The gunsmith has it now.