Jumped into my first 5 screw Victory? Updated with pics

[wheelgun28]

Well I had a few hours to myself and went to a gun shop that ive never been to(I know this spells trouble ) I wound up buying what I thought was a Pre M10 4". Its a five screw, has a kinda odd looking hammer I thought. Its wearing worn diamond magna looking stocks. Also I see it has two numbers stamped on the grip. The SN I used to buy it 8127xx and in front of that its marked SV and another number (I dont know it). The SV is on top of the other number stacked. The gun is filthy dirty looks like it was dropped on cement at on point.

When I looked at the gun, I thought the SV number was some PD inverntory number.

I looked in "the book" and see that this is a very early post war SN. Could this be a Commercial post war victory? Why two number stamped into it? Its possible the SV number is the same as the SN, I didnt look that close. I dont recall it there was a plug in the bottom of the grip... I really wasnt thinking it was a victory as it does have a blue finish.

I had to do a transfer on the gun I wont have it till at least Saturday or Sunday at best, perhaps even another week.

So from my lame attempt to describe and no photo anyone wanna guess what I have?

Its another one of my el cheapo guns buys, under $200 otd.

Ideas on value if it is indeed a postwar victory in fair condition?

This gun was at a gun show and did not sell so I dont expect it to be gold

EDIT

After reading "the book" again I see that the SN must have a letter prefix. So the SN must be SV8127XX and the other number is some inventory number stamped below it. Their is a gap between the SV and the 81, perhaps its pluged in that spot or was to be plugged?

 

[mkk41]

You have what we call a Victory Model , with the SV it's got the hammer block Safety feature. These were made for the US government for use by aircrews , MP/SPs , defense plant guards , railroad guards , etc.

 

[Art Doc]

Post-War Victory? Seems like a contradiction in terms. Why would you need a Victory Model once the war was won?

As I understand it, high serial M&Ps were sent to Great Britain 1939-1941 (like 800,000 and up) then when it was time to roll over to the next million they added the V for Victory and started at 1 again. (Wonder where V1 is?) In 1944 they added the hammer safety and added the S to indicate this change. (S for Safety, get it? They were so clever back then.) So your gun with the VS serial (letters are part of the serial but for some reason many folks ignore them) is definitely a Victory Model.

 

[deenb]

I am lucky enough to have two Victory models. One in .38 S& W, the other in .38 S&W Special.
Both have solid walnut stocks with no checkering and I understand this was common back then so yours may be after market. If it locks up tight and the timing is on, you may have done yourself well.

Good Shooting

 

[wheelgun28]

Thanks Guys!!

Lately I seem to be falling into some odd guns at lower prices. When I look at them I dont make a big deal about looking at every detail. At the price point it does not matter. I guess my point it I need to make a quick decision and not a fuss to much, its like poker So I don't get a lot of details on things...

What threw me was the blue finish. And the serial number the way it is its like SV over the 1234 a large space and the 81 number.

SV 81XXXX
12345

Seemed like the SV was part of the 12345 number. The SV thing was ringing a bell to me but I could not place it.

How high is this serial number for a victory. A certain auction site has one listed as "highest recorded serial number" but mine is higher. I doubt mine was the last one made, but I can dream

I think its fun to buy something and learn about it.

Seems lots of folks letter Victory's, perhaps I should also?

Just as a reference it looks similar to this

I did buy some other stuff today but nothing worth noting.

I passed up on a Colt Police Positive Special 3" barrel in poor shape, wanted $600 and would not talk...

 

[Engine49guy]

Does it say "Property of USA" on the top of the frame along the site line?

 

[wheelgun28]

Engine49guy Does it say "Property of USA" on the top of the frame along the site line?

I dont think so, at least I didnt notice it.

 

[Speedo2]

Wheelgun, those grips are probably worth more than what you paid for the gun. Nice score. -S2

 

[MJS5678]

Good score on the commercial SV# revolver, if it still has the pre-war style
magna grips they may be worth half of the price you paid. I once had a M&P, S815xxx that had the PD markings where yours does. I suspect much of the early post war M&Ps went to fill PD orders.
Now that you have the highest known SV serial number you can list it on gunbroker for 3X what you paid!!
Here is a picture of what the butt should look like.

 

[wheelgun28]

I once had a M&P, S815xxx that had the PD markings where yours does

I think you are correct. I have been reading more about this and it seems that the number under the SV could be a badge number, this was in the "Show me your nyc police guns" thread. It looks stamped just like that. Its possible this is a NYC police gun.

I am thinking this gun might be worth getting lettered?

The victory guns seem like a very interesting area for collecting

 

[wheelgun28]

Well I finally got the gun heres a few pictures.

I have learned that its a post war commercial victory model, that was used by the NYC PD.

Its been well carried over its life time and a has a few scuffs that I wish it didnt have. For what ever reason I like it there's just something about it.

It came with this holster, its a Jay-Pee M3. Its also marked Regulation PD NY with a 2. I dont know how old it is but this gun fits it perfectly. Its been in it for quite a while.

Thank you for giving me an education on this !!!!

 

[Tired Gunsmith]

The Jay-Pee brand holster was the most often found during my time as a gunsmith next door to the NYCPD Equipment section on Broome Street.
The regular prodction of these holsters for the trade had no "NYPD" marks The numeral in the centre was for the date 2=1962, 3=1963, etc.
regular commercial ones were used as well as the equpuipment section ( also sometimes called "equipment bureau" those purchased by the officers privately.
The Victory models were in use for many years and were accepted as standard by the original officer owning it up to the advent of the self loading pistol changeover.

 

[wheelgun28]

Thank you guys!!

Heres a pic of the sn

Your gun is not what we would consider a 'true' Victory, as it was made after hostilities ended.

Please correct me if I am wrong, as I understand it if its got a V its a victory? This is a post war commercial version, that has the lanyard plug (you cant see it in the photo), has the s on the side plate,the early magna stocks, also has a blue finish and an SV serial number.

Trust me when I said that two weeks ago I didnt know anything about this area of S&Ws. I have been reading everything I can find from the SCSW to scouring the internet. Perhaps this posting will make a good foot note to someone in the future.


Also dont get me wrong I am not trying to claim this is some lost jewel that I have, its rough and a fairly common item. I just happen to think its has some kool factor and wish it could talk

 

[DCWilson]

Big thumb up for the information in this thread. Thank you, everybody!

 

[wheelgun28]

My feeling is that to call your gun a Victory or 'true' Victory is inaccurate. I would call it a post war transitional Victory or post war transitional commercial.

Well that brings us back to where we started, in a way

Because when I first looked at the gun I wasnt thinking victory, because it was a blued gun not a parkerized one. Then add in the SV serial and we knew we were in need of an education...

So thank you to everyone. It is an interesting piece of our history and a gun with an interesting past.

 

[sheriffal]

Howdy folks. Just signed up and this is my first post. I just bought a Model 29-3 6in with serial number N905XXX, and went looking on the net for S & W serial numbers and ended up here. Those serial numbers don't seem to be as readily available as Colt numbers. Anyone with a book that could tell me when my 29 was manufactured I would appreciate responding. Thanks. Al

 

[scha]

Probably 1982 - 1983.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[Igiveup]

This has been an excellent thread! Many thanks.