hurry up victory

[papabyrd]

Man they ( Smith & Wesson) must have been in a big hurry to get this victory to war. Ser # V 375884.Because there is no logo,no made in USA,
no U.S. markings of any kind no British markings of any kind and Smith & Wesson is stamped off center on the left side of barrel
(letters stamped heavy at bottom and light at top)and no ser# under barrel.no ser# on back of cylinder.Strange !(P.S. it is a 5" barrel

 

[papabyrd]

Man they ( Smith & Wesson) must have been in a big hurry to get this victory to war. Ser # V 375884.Because there is no logo,no made in USA,
no U.S. markings of any kind no British markings of any kind and Smith & Wesson is stamped off center on the left side of barrel
(letters stamped heavy at bottom and light at top)and no ser# under barrel.no ser# on back of cylinder.Strange !(P.S. it is a 5" barrel

 

[delta-419]

Does it have the origional finish? A photo would really help!

 

[HE_OFFICER]

Originally posted by papabyrd:
Man they ( Smith & Wesson) must have been in a big hurry to get this victory to war. Ser # V 375884.Because there is no logo,no made in USA,
no U.S. markings of any kind no British markings of any kind and Smith & Wesson is stamped off center on the left side of barrel
(letters stamped heavy at bottom and light at top)and no ser# under barrel.no ser# on back of cylinder.Strange !

I'd really like to see this pistol! I have two of them and think they are pretty cool.

Cheers,

 

[FPrice]

I wonder if this is a real Victory model? Or a fake, imitation, or something that has been heavily repaired/altered. Would S&W have been that rushed that they forget all of the other markings?

 

[jed1177]

 

[papabyrd]

Now that we have pictures you can see what I was talking about.As for the finish it looks old and right but you never know these days.
And everything about it looks like a Victory. You know the old saying if it looks like a duck and talks like a duck it must be a duck but i could be wrong.

 

[HE_OFFICER]

I'm not expert, but the Made In U.S.A. isn't something likely to slip by an inspector.

Lunch box gun?

 

[jed1177]

I think I'd have that gun lettered.

In Pate's book, there is mention of a time frame in 1942 when contracts were taken over by Ordinance, ASF "where no inspectors were stationed at the plant and quality of revolvers suffered as a result" ...and... "during the (this)early production, as much as 30% of a day's production was rejected for various defects."

You could possible have one of these revolvers that for lack of quality or workmanship failed early and was never finished with it's stampings, etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[digi-shots]

jed1177,

Thanks for posting the pics!

Very interesting looking! To me, the finish looks original. The right side does look a little strange, but it could be the missing logo & made in USA stamping.

Is it still chambered for .38 S&W ?

Is the right hand grip numbered to the gun?

 

[Art Doc]

The markings that are visible look buffed to me. Maybe the missing stampings were removed during arefinish?

 

[papabyrd]

When you look at the finish up close it does not look like a refinish job. It just looks like it was never stamped. As for as caliber it has been reemed to take a 38 special but it is a loose fit.If I ever shoot it, it will be with 38 S&W rounds.I have other M&P`s in 38 special I can shoot.I am sending for a letter on it so I will post what i find out when I get it.And the grip is numbered to the gun.