Let's see your Victory Models!

[.357 man]

OK to get this back on track. I have a victory v667134. It is engraved under the cylinder latch Bavaria municipal police. It has the US property ghd with flaming bomb lightly in the top strap. .38 S&W cal. Case hammer and trigger and the rest parked. About 85% with smooth grips and lanyard.
Q. Where is Bavaria (I know Germany but not that one)?
What is a rough guestimate to what it could sell for in todays market? Can you tell the DOM from the serial number?
It is a five screw but no coke grips Ha!

 

[handejector]

I saw the term "hand ejector model" and thought what other way is there to eject. If if you use the top break to open and clear the empties it is still hand ejected. They are not foot ejected or machine ejected or gravity ejected. Mike

When you open a top-break, the ejector rises automatically as the barrel pivots, so, basically only ONE action is required- opening the gun.

When you open a Hand Ejector, the cylinder simply sits there- no ejection occurs. You have to use your HAND to eject them. They are ejected by hand, not automatically.


ALL pre-war 2 inch 38 M&P's had the straight ejector rod with no knob at the end. They were first built in 1933.

 

[LOBO]

Here's my one & only. It's in .38 special and the gun is all original. The serial number is V153XXX with no military markings except for what's on the butt.

 

[PALADIN85020]

OK to get this back on track. I have a victory v667134. It is engraved under the cylinder latch Bavaria municipal police. It has the US property ghd with flaming bomb lightly in the top strap. .38 S&W cal. Case hammer and trigger and the rest parked. About 85% with smooth grips and lanyard.
Q. Where is Bavaria (I know Germany but not that one)?
What is a rough guestimate to what it could sell for in todays market? Can you tell the DOM from the serial number?
It is a five screw but no coke grips Ha!

That in all probability IS Bavaria, Germany. Large numbers of Victory models were issued to German municipal police units to help maintain order right after the war. Markings varied.

 

[David LaPell]

This is kind of a pre-Victory (no V or S in the serial prefix). I recently sold it to a friend, but I am getting it back soon I hope. I liked shooting the old .38 S & W.

 

[.357 man]

That in all probability IS Bavaria, Germany. Large numbers of Victory models were issued to German municipal police units to help maintain order right after the war. Markings varied.

OK I thought about that too. There are no additional proof marks from any other country. The engraving is in English and not in German. How or why did the revolver get back to the states after being given to Bavaria? Most likely a European cartridge would be prefered over a 38 S&W. Heck 38 S&W is hard to find here. The revolver is in good shape and doesn't look like it has been carried or fired much. Most police departments pratice a lot and should have worn it a little more than this.
Anyway does this marking enhance, detract or just make interesting the value? Could I get $400 for it? Mike

 

[Cyrano]

German cops like autos; they used to like 32ACPs. When they could get autos after the war, they surplussed their Bavarian Municipal Police revolvers. I've seen several of them; wish I could find one for myself.

 

[RobertJ.]

Okay, I'm pretty pleased with my new purchase. (I paid $275) I thought I'd better add my photos to this thread. I still haven't had the grip panels examined by an expert, but I'm pretty certain they're ivory. Any comments would be appreciated!

 

[LOBO]

^ Wow!!!!!

 

[tekarra]

It is different alright. Will have to think about its appeal though.

 

[jaegan]

Okay, I'm pretty pleased with my new purchase. (I paid $275) I thought I'd better add my photos to this thread. I still haven't had the grip panels examined by an expert, but I'm pretty certain they're ivory. Any comments would be appreciated!

I'm no expert, but I agree, looks like ivory. Which makes that a heck of a deal in my opinion. Nice find.

 

[Hamden]

South Africa gun shipped May 3, 1940

 

[H Richard]

Pre-Victory 5" Australian return in 38 S&W.

 

[RobertJ.]

I'm no expert, but I agree, looks like ivory. Which makes that a heck of a deal in my opinion. Nice find.

Hey, thank you. I had our local dealer look at the grip panels yesterday, and he verified that they are in fact ivory. He tested one by heating up a small piece of steel to a glowing red, then touching the back of the panel. It didn't melt, and it smelled like burning hair. Certainly one of my best finds!

 

[TAROMAN]

5" New Zealand issued .38S&W. I have always wondered about the stocks, though I've seen a few Commonwealth Victorys with commercial stocks, many have the smooth ones.

 

[hunterdeneugene]

here's mine....actually pre-Victory. SN 997XXX:

 

[Retired W4]

Aussie FTR

This is an Australian FTR, MA 54, that I acquired during the mid 90's in the DFW area. It is a V serial number (not S or VS). They really took good care of this one coming out of FTR. It even came with the little pamphlet that gave the user the basic information needed for operation. Not an operator's manual, but an info sheet on the gun, and it's basic usage and history.

 

[Art Doc]

Everyone has seen them but here you go.

This one is also marked for a German PD.

 

[ladder13]

I bought this a couple years ago, my only one. I saw some at a weekend gunshow, 5 or 6 actually, all priced in the stratosphere.

 

[Casehardn]

Picked this up last month...

Here's my one and only (for now)...

All original, including the lanyard.
I wish I had the stories to go with her.

The previous owner's wife had wrapped the lanyard around the gun and stored it in their damp cellar. Oh, well.

 

[popgun]

Here are my two.
popgun

 

[TAROMAN]

New Zealand marked. #V87030, so I guess that makes it a "Victory" Lend-Lease one.

 

[Wyo]

US Navy Victory, probably early 1943:

 

[m-1911]

Serial number 960453, US Navy, Mare Island, CA or Puget Sound, or Naval Supply Depot, Norfolk

 

[blushirt23]

Navy marked Victory.

 

[blushirt23]

My other Victory.

 

[ladder13]

My factory letter states that mine was shipped to the Navy even though it's not marked as such. Question...were all Victories shipped to the Navy?

 

[hsguy]

Not all of them went to the Navy. The 38 SW guns went to the Allies and many of the 38 Spl. guns went to interesting places such as civilian defense plants, Police Depts., even the odd one to the OSS. Perhaps Charlie or Ed will see this thread and give us better insight.

 

[K.38]

OK I thought about that too. There are no additional proof marks from any other country. The engraving is in English and not in German. How or why did the revolver get back to the states after being given to Bavaria? Most likely a European cartridge would be prefered over a 38 S&W. Heck 38 S&W is hard to find here. The revolver is in good shape and doesn't look like it has been carried or fired much. Most police departments pratice a lot and should have worn it a little more than this.
Anyway does this marking enhance, detract or just make interesting the value? Could I get $400 for it? Mike

I have a Bavarian also. Mine lettered to the OSS. So it went to the OSS, B.M.P. and it got back to the US from a private purchase through the Base Rod and Gun Club. From the Capt who bought it from the R&G club to a Master Sgt who brought home to Great Falls Montana to a pawn shop after he passed away to a Technical Sgt (that would be me). Your victory could have had a similar journey.

Four bills would be a bit high at least around here, but if yours lettered to the OSS it would be an easy $400 and probably a bit more.

 

[Grayfox]

Just your basic .38 Special and a friend.