Bought today, Victory Model, What have I got?

[tenntex32]

Yes, on the yoke and the star extractor. I looked and able to see both.

Maybe someday I will get ambitious and take the side plate off.

Judging by the sideplate's fit I'd say you have no worries there unless you just need to peek around inside to check for rust, dried preservative, etc.....

If it ain't broke you may not want to go a fix'in such a nice example.

If you do decide to remove it use the correct size hollow ground screwdriver (bit) and don't pry it off. Tap the grip frame lightly with a plastic or leather mallet and the sideplate will eventually make it's way out. It may simply come out by hitting your palm with it a few times with the sideplate facing down.

 

[tenntex32]

Funny enough my only example having a "V" with the serial number on the stock is V162601.

Is the "V" on the stock rarely found from a statistical sense?

 

[AJ]

Funny enough my only example having a "V" with the serial number on the stock is V162601.

Is the "V" on the stock rarely found from a statistical sense?

Maybe just a more meticulous individual doing the stamping?

 

[tenntex32]

Maybe just a more meticulous individual doing the stamping?

Yes, I can clearly see how meticulous he or she was with regards to the s/n stamping on it's stock!

 

[tenntex32]

So the real question at hand AJ is.....................

Do you already have the Colt Commando, Colt and S&W M1917 examples, or at least have them in your sights?

My WWI and WWII U.S. revolver addiction started with a S&W Victory.

 

[AJ]

So the real question at hand AJ is.....................

Do you already have the Colt Commando, Colt and S&W M1917 examples, or at least have them in your sights?

My WWI and WWII U.S. revolver addiction started with a S&W Victory.

I have had several M1917's and prefer S&W's to the Colt version. Never see any Commando's here.

But I do have a Colt M1909 U.S.Army in .45 Colt.

I use to collect M1911's and M1911A1's. Have collected quite a few firearms over the years then loose interest and sell them to collect something else.

 

[AJ]

Yes, I can clearly see how meticulous he or she was with regards to the s/n stamping on it's stock!

Did not say the individual was good, just trying hard to get everything on the grip.Like you stated they were not accurate...........

 

[Absalom]

Most likely very late 1942. It does look un-carried as Victorys go; the slight turn line may be from post-service owners handling it. Everything looks correct and original. Nice find.

In that serial range there are many guns going to DSC-approved recipients, as well as the US Maritime Commission; those all would show the stamping pattern of yours, with just the butt bomb.

 

[tenntex32]

Did not say the individual was good, just trying hard to get everything on the grip.Like you stated they were not accurate...........

I guess I should do my homework and see if the "V" turns up on many other Victory stocks.

I'll make a mental note to look for it when looking at them.

 

[tenntex32]

Most likely very late 1942. Nice find. It does look un-carried as Victorys go; the slight turn line may be from post-service owners handling it. Everything looks correct and original. Nice find.

In that serial range there are many guns going to DSC-approved recipients, as well as the US Maritime Commission; those all would show the stamping pattern of yours, with just the butt bomb.

I keep forgetting about the unmarked U.S. Maritime Commission examples.

If it did letter to them then you could honestly say you have a "U.S.M.C." Victory..........only we'd know what it really stands for.

 

[AJ]

Now for the $64.00 question..........Is this one to good to be a shooter? I generally shoot all my guns on a rotating basis. What is it worth?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Sure, shoot it! It won't hurt it as it's probably been shot many times during the war.

Guy

 

[Waveski]

Feed it some nice mild wadcutters and enjoy.

 

[BC38]

These old fightin' irons from WWII are SO cool!
The machine marks and finish are mute testimony to the factory's efforts to maximize production.

Can you imagine how hard of an adjustment it must have been for the craftsmen who were so painstakingly producing the finely polished works of art S&W sold before the war to switch over to focusing on "cranking 'em out" with minimal finishing to get as many out the door as possible as quickly as possible? In those days pride in craftsmanship was a real thing.

 

[mh51]

With the lack of marking on the top strap, and the ordnance bomb on the butt, I'm thinking its probably a DSC gun. Some of them had interesting destinations here in the states. Might be worth a letter just for curiosity.

 

[Waveski]

..... I'm thinking its probably a DSC gun. Some of them had interesting destinations here in the states. Might be worth a letter just for curiosity.

Interesting , yes.
I have one that apparently did WWII guard duty at the Arkansas Ordnance Plant , a facility that was largely staffed by women and guarded by men.
(It was a different time...)

 

[jeeps]

Mine was letter to a hoist company in Cleveland that made hoist for the Manhattan program and ships. Get a letter.

 

[AJ]

Best guesses as to the value of this Victory? The dealer had a price tag of $650.00 on it. I traded him a gun that I had bought a couple of years ago for $450.00 for it.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

IMO, the dealer was a little high but in the ballpark.

 

[AJ]

Shot it...........

Took the Victory to the range today. I was using a 50 yard .22 bullseye that measures about 3 7/8 inches. I shot the revolver at 15 yards. I was using my own handloads that I use in my Colt Mid Range. It is a 148 grain wadcutter with 2.8 grains of Bullseye. Though it did rather well.