Identification help requested

[ljdauer]

I recently acquired a old S&W 38 special I am think[email protected] it is a victory model because it's serial number is V433670. The barrel is between 3.5 and 4 inches, it is a five screw wooden rounded but. it is a six shot, hand ejector. there are no USG type marking on it. Smith & Wesson on left side of barrel, and 38 S&W Special CTG on right side of barrel. on the top of the barrel is Smith & Wesson Springfield MASS. USA and Patented Feb 8.06. Sept 14.09. Dec. 29.14 on the right side with the four screws is made in USA and the trade mark. all the serial numbers on the gun butt, barrel, and cylinders match. I has a oblong lanyard loop on the bottom of the butt.
I would like to know what type of revolver this is ? When it was manufactured ? an approximate value would be nice. IF I wanted to change the grips what type should I get that would fit ? what is the body type of my revolver ?

 

[gmborkovic]

"help on rounded but"? pls.

 

[Absalom]

...
I would like to know what type of revolver this is ? When it was manufactured ? an approximate value would be nice. IF I wanted to change the grips what type should I get that would fit ? what is the body type of my revolver ?

You have a standard US version of the Victory model from later 1943, maybe October. Absent a property stamp on the topstrap, it was shipped to an authorized non-military recipient through the Defense Supplies Corporation, maybe a police department or defense contractor, or the Maritime Commission.

It is in quite nice condition and appears all-original and complete. I haven't checked prices lately, but 400 to 500 might be realistic if all numbers do indeed match. That value goes down if you replace the stocks, but just for shooting, you can temporarily put any grips on it that fit S&W K-frame square-butt, including modern polymer. Some oversized types may require that you remove the swivel, which might be more trouble than it's worth.

 

[glowe]

Well done! They seldom show up in this condition, so you probably have the upper 10% of what is out there today.

The Victory revolver was almost entirely a US issued WWII gun, serving the Home Defense, US Navy, US Army, US DOJ, and other government agencies.

 

[Jack Flash]

If you want to get new grips (S&W calls them "stocks") you need to know that your revolver is a K-Frame.

Did the seller say it is a round butt? Looks like a square butt to me. I think you will find you need K-Frame square butt stocks.

By the way, that is a nice one.

 

[s&wchad]

Nice gun!

In my opinion, DSC guns are some of the most interesting. FYI, that's a square butt grip frame.

I suggest ordering a historical letter. Prices will go up at the end of the year, so don't put it off. A historical letter adds to the value and without it, you have no idea where it's been!

http://www.theswca.org/forms/Letter_request_form.pdf

 

[s&wchad]

No wonder I thought it was a nice gun... I own it!

Those are photos I took of a Victory model purchased a few months back. The OP copied the photos from my thread on a DSC Victory. He did acknowledge that in a subtle way by naming the photos "look alike" and "similar to".
Photo source: DSC Victory Model - Timken Detroit Axle Co.

It took me a while to realize they were my photos and it took me even longer to notice how he named them.
After thorough investigation, I have no reason to believe the OP is up to anything devious.

We allow members to post other peoples work for legitimate purposes under "fair use", but you'll need to clearly credit the source of the material in the future.
How to Post COPYRIGHTED Material

Failing to do so is unfair to the property owner and leaves your motives suspect.