Blue Victory Model

[JOBYT]

I've had this for a number of years.Kinda hoping I would see another like it on this forum and learn more about it that way, as I have on so many others, but havent seen one yet so I thought I'd post some pics and see what happens.Serial # V7626xx,grips are almost matched,the second last digit off by 1,leaving me to believe its all original.Any information would be much appreciated. Jobyt

 

[murphydog]

It is a Victory Model, but appears to have been polished and blued (instead of the original rough Black Magic finish), and medallions added to the standard stocks. It probably left the factory in late 1944 but two Forum members maintain a VM database and can let you know more exactly. Hope this is helpful.

 

[LWCmdr45]

The SN of your revolver dates it as late war production. It may have shipped as early as Feb., 1945... or it may have sat on a shelf for months as one after another military contract was cancelled.

I can't see the details of the stock medallions. Do they appear to be genuine S&W medallions? If not, you've most likely got a wartime-finished gun that has been refinished in blue and the stocks modified by the owner.

If the medallioned stocks appear to be factory original, you may have one of the (very!) few commercially-finished Victory Models that were sold postwar that employed leftover smooth walnut wartime stocks into which silver medallions were fit.

Either way, I'd recommend obtaining a factory historical letter from Roy Jinks. I know that Roy owned/owns an example of this rare Victory Model variation, so be sure to include high-resolution photographs of all details when you mail in your request.

Good luck!

Steve

 

[digi-shots]

Very cool looking Victory!

Just wondering... is it a .38 special or a .38 S&W Ctg. ?

 

[murphydog]

Steve;

Just learned something new about the finish and stocks possibly being original, thanks!

 

[JOBYT]

Thanks for the replies.I will try to get some better pictures.Caliber is 38 Special. Jobyt

 

[handejector]

VERY interesting.
Note the raised logo on sideplate. The medallions look right on the backs of grips also!

 

[JOBYT]

Tried some more pics.I have never obtained a factory letter before,but i suppose that is the only way to truly authenticate its originality.Thanks again, Jobyt P.S. If anyone could let me know exactly how to obtain a factory letter I would much appreciate it!

 

[opoefc]

Darn, Steve! You done let the cat out of the bag! Now I can't go around snapping up for peanuts, these ultra rare Victory Models with blue finish & fancy grain smooth medallion stocks ! Ed.

 

[Hunter Ed]

Have one blued too but with checkered grips

Here is another blued .38 special Victory Model. Over ten years back, I purchased it at the Ohio Gun Collector's Association. It is Victory model .38 special with the serial number V1470XX.
The checkered grips are what it came with, not the smooth.

When I ran the serial number on the old Springfield Research Services web site, it came up in the middle of a page of "NYCPD (SOLD TO OFFICER)." I am considering requesting a factory historical letter from S & W on it. Did S & W sell lots of Victory Models to police departments?

FYI- A local dealer suggested that it has been reblued.
Any initial feedback would be welcome!

 

[murphydog]

Tried some more pics.I have never obtained a factory letter before,but i suppose that is the only way to truly authenticate its originality.Thanks again, Jobyt P.S. If anyone could let me know exactly how to obtain a factory letter I would much appreciate it!

Here you go:

Firearm History Request - Smith & Wesson

 

[Lee Barner]

jobyt, i've got SV769844, which shipped post war. the finishes look very much alike to me. can't wait to see what your letter says. lee

 

[JOBYT]

Thanks for the link Murphydog,factory letter request on the way! Jobyt

 

[Beaver]

Perfect simpicity

I love guns that are perfectly simple, sometimes unadorned, but practically perfect. All that has to be there, and nothing more. I just traded for an old Rem 721 30-06 in really good shape. Same thrill to my brain.

 

[JOBYT]

Factory letter arrives

Received letter today stating when and where the gun was shipped ,which wasnt far from where I bought it.(Santa Rosa,Ca.)Something that puzzles me is that it doesnt have the hammer block modification. Mr Jinks states on the first page that any revolver produced after V750,000 should?Thanks for the replies and help in obtaining the factory letter.I have a few other Victory Models that will be getting the same treatment! Jobyt

 

[bettis1]

BINGO!! Congratulations!

Bob

 

[JOBYT]

Thanks Bob, After doing some more research on the hammer block mod. It seems that most were done post war.In Pates' book I believe the changeover is around v769000, in Neal and Jinks I believe around V800000. Jobyt

 

[murphydog]

Congratulations on your find! A gun of this era would "probably" have been stamped with an S prefix if it came with the then-new hammer block or was retrofitted, so the SN would have started with S V.

 

[JOBYT]

Understood Murphydog.The factory letter states that revolvers produced after V750000 should have the hammer block mod.This one doesnt.Kinda curious why. Thanks Joe