Is this my first Victory

[BrazosJoe]

Basically it has no finish left on it. I call S&W and the customer service person told it was 1940-1942 and they no longer work on them due shortage of parts.
Number on the end of the butt is V18975, on the cylinder yoke is another number:
6
40614 - it is a 6 with 40614 underneath.

On the cylinder swing out side is the number 40614.

On the right behind the cylinder is the S&W stamp and under the cylinder at the front id Made In U.S.A.

That is all the markings on the gun that I can see.
Sorry for the terminology I am not that familiar with the parts yet.

 

[mtime7]

looks like a victory that someone chopped the barrel.. is it 38S&W or 38 S&W special?

 

[fyimo]

looks like a victory that someone chopped the barrel.. is it 38S&W or 38 S&W special?

Yea and left in it a holster or a tool box outside for a long long time.

 

[Masterpiece]

BrazosJoe,

Welcome to the Forum!! You might want look over the Outer Frame overtop of the Cylinder and see if you see any stampings there!! Reason being is I just checked your Serial Number in my Victory Data & there are quite a few of these Revolvers in very close proximity to yours that were either issued to the Navy or Coast Guard. I'm not saying it is a "Navy",but you might want to check!! I'm sure someone will be along shortly to give you a better idea. And yes,the Barrel has definitely been shortened!! It's actually been shortened so much I'm not sure if it is even going to show the Barrel Stamping to indicate if it's a 38 Special or a 38 S&W Cartridge!!

 

[BrazosJoe]

Victory

BrazosJoe,

Welcome to the Forum!! You might want look over the Outer Frame overtop of the Cylinder and see if you see any stampings there!! Reason being is I just checked your Serial Number in my Victory Data & there are quite a few of these Revolvers in very close proximity to yours that were either issued to the Navy or Coast Guard. I'm not saying it is a "Navy",but you might want to check!! I'm sure someone will be along shortly to give you a better idea. And yes,the Barrel has definitely been shortened!! It's actually been shortened so much I'm not sure if it is even going to show the Barrel Stamping to indicate if it's a 38 Special or a 38 S&W Cartridge!!

Thanks for the info - yes there is no markings on the barrel. Since my initial post I have located a marking of some sort marking in front of the screw at the front of the trigger guard, can not read it though.

 

[BrazosJoe]

Caliber

looks like a victory that someone chopped the barrel.. is it 38S&W or 38 S&W special?

I am not familiar enough with the two to figure it out, but the 38 special fits as well as any of my other guns. Mostly I am trying to determine if it is worth keeping in the same condition or is it ok to start working on it. Thanks

 

[nutsforsmiths]

Besides the barrel being chopped, that seems like a much later front sight on that pistol, like it belongs on a target pistol.

 

[1-1917]

If you have a good dial caliper, measure the chamber ID. The spcl should be around .357 while he 38/200/S&W will be around .361..

That would at least give a hint of what ammunition the gun was made for.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Is this one of the models you have to be careful for if someone has modified it from .38SW to fire .38 Special? I know I read somewhere that there are tell tale signs to look for on these to know but I never remember them. I would think the .38 Special would fit very loose in the cylinder.

But it's still a sweet find. No grips? I would jump on CDNN just to get some on it then decide if finding some period correct grips are worth finding.

 

[Art Doc]

I hate to break it to you but this gun is badly butchered. Many of these Victory Models were cut up like this after the war. It likely started out as a 5" model in 38 S&W caliber and the barrel has been cut so short that the front locking lug is gone. The chambers have been reamed for 38 Special ammo. These modifications often make these guns unreliable. I would not even try to shoot this gun although I guess some guys do shoot theirs. The gun has essentially no value.