A buddy called me the other day and said he picked up a really nice Victory revolver at a show in Reno, Nv. He gave me the serial no. S9118xx, with the right grip no. 144474. He said a beautiful gray-black finish, but when quizzed, he said no hole in butt for swivel, and no markings on top strap. On top of barrel patent dates 2/6/06, 9/14/09, and 12/22/14. He said .38 S&W special on barrel. Also the barrel is 5 inches. I have not seen the revolver nor have pictures. We live in different states, so not going to see it until the Nov. Reno gun show. Any ideas of manufacture/ship date? Is it technically a Victory revolver?
Friend's revolver
- Thread starter Igiveup
- Start date
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It's a post-war 38 M&P. Probably made in 1948.
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DWalt
Member
Maybe a little earlier. But definitely a post-WWII .38 M&P and not a Victory. Hard to tell what the grips are without a picture. Correct grips would be sharp shoulder diamond magnas.
As Guy and DWalt both stated, your friend bought a postwar .38 Military & Police revolver that very likely shipped in July, 1947. All of the S911000 serial examples in my database for which I have a confirmed ship date left the factory that month. One of them lives in my safe.
By that late, the grip frames were not drilled for the swivel, unless special ordered that way.
Also, the last patent date is December 29, 1914.
Your friend may be able to take refuge in the fact that there were far fewer S prefix units made than there were Victory Models. But they are not rare or scarce. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 180,000 were produced.
By that late, the grip frames were not drilled for the swivel, unless special ordered that way.
Also, the last patent date is December 29, 1914.
Your friend may be able to take refuge in the fact that there were far fewer S prefix units made than there were Victory Models. But they are not rare or scarce. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 180,000 were produced.
OP
I really appreciate the information and will relay it to my friend. The revolver is a few months older than me. I might make an offer to him, what is a fair price?
It really depends on condition and that is hard to access without pictures. Value can range from $300 for a well-worn shooter to $700 or more for a pristine, sock drawer revolver. I recommend reviewing completed auctions at gunbroker.com to see what similar M&P's have been selling for in the condition depicted in the auction. That should give you a better idea of what to offer.
^^^ What Guy said ^^^
Condition makes all the difference in the world.
Condition makes all the difference in the world.
I don't know if this came out right, but, as stated above, shows the serial numbers in the bunch of 38 Specials that S&W made in the different serial groupings from the beginning. That's also a good reason to get a gun lettered, for dummies like me! Lots of info; so if I happen to be looking at a pre-serial numbered gun I have a pretty decent idea how old a certain gun is, etc. Hope this helps SOMEbody.
OP
I have lettered two revolvers thru the years, one being a Victory, but I splurged at $50 per revolver. NowI am retired for last 14 yrs. and price has doubled to where I cannot justify the cost. Friend said excellent condition revolver with nice "parkerizing" finish. Mid- November is Reno, NV. gun show and I hope to see revolver then. He is currently going thru daily radiation treatments for cancer and don't want to bother him much. Perhaps I can get him to send some pictures. I appreciate the given information and will forward it to him. Thank You.
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