Doesn't have a model number.

[Grandpa316]

Seems this was a 38-200. It appears the cylinder was bored to accept 38 special. Would like any info on the gun. Thanks

 

[rct269]

It is a much modified, dare I say butchered, Victory model circa WWII era. Following the hostilities, the surviving guns were snatched up by sundry concerns who believed the less than flattering saying "There's a sucker born every minute.", and proceeded to prove it by "modifying" them and selling them to any and everybody who qualified.

Given this was originally chambered in 38-200, it started out being given to our British friends. All this from one who knows less than nothing about them---and is glad of it!

The good news is there are those among us with more knowledge and less prejudice, who will be along directly to share it with you.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[cgt4570]

Model numbers didn't exist until around 1957. Your gun was made around 1942-43.

It "WAS" a WW2 British Victory Model, as you said, in .38 S&W (aka .38-200).
The bad....
-Someone cut the barrel off so short that it removed the ejector rod locking lug. Many consider this to be an unsafe modification.
-Someone buffed the bleep out of it, then nickel plated it.
-It's wearing fake stag grips.
-As you mentioned, it's been reamed to accept .38 Special. While this isn't really unsafe, .38 Special brass will swell, and possibly split. Spent cases won't be reloadable.
-Accuracy will be iffy at best. A .38 Special bullet is .357-.358 diameter. A .38 S&W is .360. Given the oversized bore, and short barrel, you're likely to get 'keyholing' (bullet hitting on its side instead of its nose) on targets.

I hope you got it for free, or at least VERY cheap. About all it's good for is a tackle box or glove box gun at this point.

 

[Com 45acp]

Any pictures of each side?

 

[Grandpa316]

Pictures of both sides.

Thanks for everyone's reply.I inherited the gun. The previous owner was in WW2.

 

[AudieMurphy]

In the pic with the serial # it used to have a swivel. the holes been plugged.

 

[Model19man]

The MOTS grips need to go in the trash can. The right ones are wood.

 

[Alk8944]

Several of the above posts have been overly critical of your gun! If it was inherited from a family member it certainly has value to you as an heirloom. There is nothing wrong with the "fake" stag stocks, your relative liked them so keep them. They were made by Jay Scott and many were sold back in the day, people liked them. They go well with the Nickel plated guns!

If the gun accepts .38 Special then it has been re-chambered. This was done post WWII to literally thousands of these lend-lease revolvers. It is not dangerous, and if you only intend to shoot factory ammunition it is no issue to you.

Yes, the locking bolt lug has been removed by shortening the barrel. This is unfortunate, but along with re-chambering many of these guns had the barrel shortened as yours is to a "snubby" length, since factory 2" barrel guns weren't terribly common yet, and many wanted a snub-barrelled revolver. Loss of the lug is not unsafe in any way. Colts don't have the front lock and neither did the early S&W M&P revolvers!

Shoot it if you want or not. It is a nice family heirloom no matter that it has been extensively modified from its original conformation.

These modified guns typically sold for under $20 even into the 1960s. I nearly bought one myself when I was just getting into shooting and didn't know any better.

 

[stansdds]

Welcome to the S&W Forums! I think Alk8944 pretty well covered what you have inherited. It's not what it once was and never will be again, but I say enjoy it for what it is. If nothing more, it has sentimental value and is a conversation piece.

 

[Bald1]

Several of the above posts have been overly critical of your gun! If it was inherited from a family member it certainly has value to you as an heirloom. There is nothing wrong with the "fake" stag stocks, your relative liked them so keep them. They were made by Jay Scott and many were sold back in the day, people liked them. They go well with the Nickel plated guns!

If the gun accepts .38 Special then it has been re-chambered. This was done post WWII to literally thousands of these lend-lease revolvers. It is not dangerous, and if you only intend to shoot factory ammunition it is no issue to you.

Yes, the locking bolt lug has been removed by shortening the barrel. This unfortunate, but along with re-chambering many of these guns had the barrel shortened as yours is to a "snubby" length, since factory 2" barrel guns weren't terribly common yet, and many wanted a snub-barrelled revolver. Loss of the lug is not unsafe in any way. Colts don't have the front lock and neither did the early S&W M&P revolvers!

Shoot it if you want or not. It is a nice family heirloom no matter that it has been extensively modified from its original conformation.

These modified guns typically sold for under $20 even into the 1960s. I nearly bought one myself when I was just getting into shooting and didn't know any better.

This hits the nail on the head!!!!!! As a side note I've seen these sell on GB for a few hundred bucks. Not exactly worthless.

 

[Goony]

The MOTS grips need to go in the trash can. The right ones are wood.

The USAF Strategic Air Command's Elite Guard carried sidearms sporting plastic faux stag grips, first on chromed Victory Models and later on Model 15's.

 

[gmborkovic]

If you were a kid during the late 1950s, they were advertised in True magazine for $19.95. I believe Klien's also sold them.

 

[GypsmJim]

I got mine a long time ago when I didn't know better either. But at 100 bucks who could go wrong. Mine is also rechambered, but it has the original wooden grips and lanyard ring.

Since I already had a British .38 S&W (NOT special), I had the proper ammo. Actually, it shoots pretty good, even with .38 Specials loaded with 0.358 wadcutters.

I understood that some people poopoo the brass splitting thing, but it's not completely true. I shoot a light target load to fire form the .38 Special cases, then merely neck size to reload. The Box I have labeled "Victory Special" has been reloaded many many times and I haven't had to throw out a case yet.

I have all of my Dad's guns, along with Grandpa's and Great Great Uncle's. They will go to my son and I know he will cherish them. I also have a vet bringback duffle cut Mauser that I got from a friend because he had no interest in HIS Dad's guns. That will stay in the family too, just because.

 

[Jim Watson]

In the 1950s and 1960s, detective stories vied with westerns for popular entertainment. The "snub-nosed .38" was standard with everybody except Mike Hammer. For just a few examples, I remember 'Richard Diamond', 'Dragnet', 'Mannix', 'FBI', and '77 Sunset Strip.' This was product placement with a vengance and cut down surplus revolvers sold well.

One like this was the top of the line, as such things go, sawn off to "snub nose", reamed for Real American Ammo, with nickel plating and "stag" handles to brighten up dull military finish. Why, it may have sold for as much as $39.95.

 

[Frailer]

While I can respect those who dislike these modified British Service/Victory revolvers, I like them. They represent a snapshot of firearms history.

I purchased one several years ago. It was cheap, and I liked its looks. Mine is reasonably accurate (while the .38/200 bullet is nominally .361, S&W seems to have used the same barrel for these as they did for .38 Special), and it functions just fine.

As has already been stated the brass swells after firing, so I pitch them rather than save them, but I've never had a case split.

 

[686-380]

Thank you for sharing unvarnished history!

Seems this was a 38-200. It appears the cylinder was bored to accept 38 special. Would like any info on the gun. Thanks

I read your tribute to your father. Thank you for his service!!

Given that these were probably considered throw away guns, perhaps your dad modified it on a lark? It's value is not monetary, it's historical and sentimental!

 

[GypsmJim]

while the .38/200 bullet is nominally .361, S&W seems to have used the same barrel for these as they did for .38 Special), and it functions just fine.

There's the answer then! Maybe that's why mine works well with .358 boolits.

But on the other hand, I also have a British Enfield #2Mk1 ("Webley") that is also a 38/200, and it shoots good with .358 boolits as well.

 

[MelvinWalker]

There's the answer then! Maybe that's why mine works well with .358 boolits.

But on the other hand, I also have a British Enfield #2Mk1 ("Webley") that is also a 38/200, and it shoots good with .358 boolits as well.

Well, the Enfield is not a Webley, but they are first cousins.

 

[DWalt]

While I can respect those who dislike these modified British Service/Victory revolvers, I like them. They represent a snapshot of firearms history.

I purchased one several years ago. It was cheap, and I liked its looks. Mine is reasonably accurate (while the .38/200 bullet is nominally .361, S&W seems to have used the same barrel for these as they did for .38 Special), and it functions just fine.

As has already been stated the brass swells after firing, so I pitch them rather than save them, but I've never had a case split.

Actually, there was a slight difference in bore diameter specs between the US and British Victories barrels, But not enough to make any practical difference. .38 Special bullets will work fine in the British .38 revolvers.

Many mail order surplus gun sellers in the 1950s-60s sold the butchered BSRs for around $25-35. Equivalent to around $300-350 in today's inflated dollars. And there was nothing illegal about no questions asked mail order gun sales then.

 

[GypsmJim]

Well, the Enfield is not a Webley, but they are first cousins.

That's why I put the term "Webley" in quotes. Unless you are an aficionado, many collectors of British revolvers don't understand the difference.

I have seen for sale ads for Enfield revolvers that were labeled as a Webley.

Just trying to cover all bases.