Commercial Victory model

[65-2x2]

I couldn't help myself...and I probably paid too much. But that money was just gathering dust in my gun safe!

I found this post war S V Victory in a small gun shop. It has all of the qualities assigned to the post-war commercial guns. No government markings, Prewar stocks (matching to the piece), plugged lanyard hole, factory blue finish, etc. The only thing that I find interesting is that the serial (810491) falls within the serial range usually associated with government contract guns. I would suspect that that meant that it was very early post war, maybe someone can help with a date. The piece has some finish issues, but still presents well. It is in good mechanical condition, near perfect barrel, tight lockup. I have been lusting after a wartime Victory for some time, but just can't find one that is both in original condition and at a price, so this one will partially scratch that itch. The piece tells the history of the transition from military to civilian production after a long war. I would have thought that this piece would have made it to some PD but it doesn't have the holster wear that I associate with cop carry.

I did step on my back porch and fire off a few rounds and it functioned perfectly and shot to point of aim. (I really just needed an excuse to clean it properly)

I would appreciate any information or comments.

 

[JP@AK]

The only thing that I find interesting is that the serial (810491) falls within the serial range usually associated with government contract guns. I would suspect that that meant that it was very early post war, maybe someone can help with a date.

No, SV810491 is too high for wartime shipment. The highest known number sent to the Navy is SV802722. It shipped on August 13, 1945.

Your revolver almost certainly shipped in March 1946. The nearest NYPD confirmed serial number is close: SV810502.

Your picture is too dark for me to see the prewar checking style, but I suspect you are correct. Many of the very early postwar shipments had those stocks. Could you please check the medallion retaining washer on the inside and tell me if it is the machined blue type or the machined washer in-the-white type? Both are found among the prewar style stocks on postwar revolvers.

 

[65-2x2]

No, SV810491 is too high for wartime shipment. The highest known number sent to the Navy is SV802722. It shipped on August 13, 1945.

Your revolver almost certainly shipped in March 1946. The nearest NYPD confirmed serial number is close: SV810502.

Your picture is too dark for me to see the prewar checking style, but I suspect you are correct. Many of the very early postwar shipments had those stocks. Could you please check the medallion retaining washer on the inside and tell me if it is the machined blue type or the machined washer in-the-white type? Both are found among the prewar style stocks on postwar revolvers.

Thank you for your input. The retaining washer is machined and blued steel. Do you have an estimate of current value of the piece?

 

[Goony]

Do you have an estimate of current value of the piece?

I'd simply comment that these "commercial Victory" types do occupy a bit of a niche for advanced collectors, but in general command only a slight premium over other early postwar Military & Police revolvers. What may enhance its value further is if it can be documented as shipping to a law enforcement agency (as many were in that period).

 

[JP@AK]

Thank you for your input. The retaining washer is machined and blued steel.

Thanks. I'll add that information to my database. The blued, machined washer is more common on the postwar units with prewar style stocks, but the washers that are white are also found.

Do you have an estimate of current value of the piece?

Without knowing the amount of finish loss, it is hard to say for sure, but $450 is probably the minimum that you can expect for one with 95% of the original blue. Units with a high amount of original finish and the original box will sell for more than $600 (even $650) these days. I've been tracking these revolvers for nearly 15 years, and the prices have steadily moved upward during that time. 10 years ago, I could buy them with either the maroon or gold box for less than $500. Not anymore.

 

[DWalt]

At war's end, military revolver components remaining in S&W inventory were assembled and finished, then sold on the civilian market beginning during the early months of 1946. That is probably what you have, given the SV prefix. Later the V part of the serial number prefix was dropped. You might read this. https://smith-wessonforum.com/threads/nypd-sv-series-sv812246.747170/

 

[Retired W4]

My 5" SV Commercial cost a lot more than $450 but it came out of Mike P's collection and is in fine condition with a letter. I especially like it because it was shipped to Beck & Gregg Hardware right here in Atlanta. And it goes perfectly with my 4" post war SV.

 

[65-2x2]

I'd simply comment that these "commercial" Victory types do occupy a bit of a niche for advanced collectors, but in general command only a slight premium over other early postwar Military & Police revolvers. What may enhance its value further is if it can be documented as shipping to a law enforcement agency (as many were in that period).

Thank you.

Thanks. I'll add that information to my database. The blued, machined washer is more common on the postwar units with prewar style stocks, but the washers that are white are also found.

Without knowing the amount of finish loss, it is hard to say for sure, but $450 is probably the minimum that you can expect for one with 95% of the original blue. Units with a high amount of original finish and the original box will sell for more than $600 (even $650) these days. I've been tracking these revolvers for nearly 15 years, and the prices have steadily moved upward during that time. 10 years ago, I could buy them with either the maroon or gold box for less than $500. Not anymore.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge base. I paid $440.00 for it so if I was skint it was just an elbow. I really had no idea of the actual value when I plunked down the money, which is a silly way to buy a gun for the collection, I knew it then, and I know it now. It is a reminder to research first, purchase second.

It is a nice piece for a modest collection and I will enjoy it more now that I know that I wasn't too much of a silly bugger with the price paid.

 

[Goony]

...I paid $440.00 for it... It is a reminder to research first, purchase second.

You didn't get hurt and even if you had been a little it's a case of sometimes having a bit of an unusual gun pop up in front of you that if you don't grab it then you'll later regret not having gotten it more than being out the few extra bucks.

 

[gunbarrel]

I tweaked the section of the photo that show the grips...

 

[gunbarrel]

 

[JP@AK]

Thanks. Definitely the prewar style. As I mentioned earlier the machined and blued washer is appropriate for that style and time period. Nice!

Here's a photo of two S prefix units in my collection, showing the prewar style vs the early postwar style. These two shipped in March and April 1946 (top to bottom). Stocks in both cases number to the gun.