Down Under (?) Victory for the Database

[LikeOldGuns]

Here is another Victory for the database. It is a recent acquisition; .38 S&W, lend-lease, 5" barrel, US Property - G.H.D, P, V697803, and either British or Australian markings under the barrel. It is in fair - good condition, all matching, except for the grips. I haven't had a chance to research the lend-lease markings yet, so would appreciate any input.

 

[jbouwens]

I think they are Aussi but I am no expert on the markings. I have a British and Canadian Victory model and those marking are different and in a different location. I never get tired of looking at those old victory models, Nice revolver.

 

[TAROMAN]

"1560 BAR" looks like a pressure limit (or proof test?) stamping.
BAR is a metric measure, and AFAIK the Commonwealth were still using the imperial measurement system back in the days of WW2.

 

[hsguy]

Interesting gun, are there any markings on the right frame where the "Made In USA" is located?

 

[LikeOldGuns]

hsguy, no, nothing other than the typical markings, a S&W logo and the "Made In USA" stamping. What do you make of it?

 

[hsguy]

Roger, not sure of what to think, the typical Aussie re-import guns were marked on the right frame and I have never seen markings like that on the bottom of the barrel. Perhaps Charlie or Ed will be along soon to teach us all something.

 

[LikeOldGuns]

John, me neither. I'm far from an expert, but I seen dozens and dozens of lend-lease Victory pistols and this is the first with under barrel markings.

I did learn that a "bar" is an Australian (maybe broader) measure with 1 Bar = 14.504 psi. I also came across a purported Australian S&W Victory and the proofs were more what I have seen on British pistols, not under the barrel and using "tons" instead of "bars."

It will be interesting to see what this turns out to be. I really like the variety in collecting Victorys.

 

[Cyrano]

I thought the Australian marking was D (broad arrow) D. These markings look British to my ignorant eyes, but I'm willing to be told differently.

 

[loyalaussie]

Here is another Victory for the database. It is a recent acquisition; .38 S&W, lend-lease, 5" barrel, US Property - G.H.D, P, V697803, and either British or Australian markings under the barrel. It is in fair - good condition, all matching, except for the grips. I haven't had a chance to research the lend-lease markings yet, so would appreciate any input.

View attachment 22399 View attachment 22400

I think Ill check out some of my Victory & M&P revolvers for anything unusual. I guess you never know till you really look.

 

[LikeOldGuns]

Somebody must have an idea of the origin of these underbarrel markings, or maybe knows the whereabouts of some reference material on Commonwealth proof maks of the era. Thanks,

 

[PJGP]

I am certain that the markings are fairly recent Birmingham Proof House markings. Note the BNP and the fact that Britain threw away its heritage and went metric (after I left). The crossed swords letters indicate Birmingham, the number of the person doing the proofing and the year of proof. Try asking on the British Gun Pub forum, where someone will have the decode for the date.

Peter

 

[LikeOldGuns]

Thanks for the advice, I posted on the British Gun Pub forum as suggested and will post the response here if I get anything meaningful.

 

[Ballarat]

The marks are British not Australian. Have never seen one with the proof in BAR before which equates on this example to 10 tons per Sq.Inch. So as our South African friend says would indicate a fairly recent marking. But I am no great fountain of knowledge on this. It may well have been held in store for a long time and never issued during the war era, then when the British military did a clean out the old girl was proofed and sold on the civilian market. Surprised she does not carry any re-import markings on re-entry to the US. The Brits did a major clean-out of all the old revolvers when they adopted the Browning 9mm High Power as the official military sidearm many years ago now.

 

[bk43]

According to Pate, post-war Birmingham View Marks were letters left and right for year and proofing house respectively. The number under indicates the rank of the inspector. So theoretically you have a 1966 proof from "G" house by a level 4 inspector. Doesn't make sense to me but it is early yet here.

Bob

 

[PJGP]

According to Pate, post-war Birmingham View Marks were letters left and right for year and proofing house respectively. The number under indicates the rank of the inspector. So theoretically you have a 1966 proof from "G" house by a level 4 inspector. Bob

Not so Bob. Sometimes the meaning of the left and right letters was reversed. In any case the B is always Birmingham and the post 1955 proof marks included the pressure in tons per square inch and the length of the case. Once the year letter code ran out they introduced a new arrangement about which I know very little (no real interest in modern guns!). By the way, I am English not South African, but have lived here for 28 years - not going back.

Peter

 

[bk43]

Peter, you would certainly know more than I so I stand corrected. Charlie Pate, who I referenced, does note the reversal you refer to but only on some of the 1952 guns which would be BC instead of CB.

No matter what, the markings on the OP's gun still don't quite compute with me.

Bob

 

[LikeOldGuns]

I got a new macro lens for my Canon DSLR and shot better photos of the crossed sword markings and proofs. I hope this helps, because I'm still at a loss to decipher this one. I'm running this thread on a couple of fourms without much success.

 

[Dave_n]

Just picked up an FTR'd Aussie victory today serial V111*** so one of the fairly early ones. Have stripped it down and it cleaned up nicely. Dave_n