Looking for the experts' opinions

[rexmerdinus1]

Hi all, new to the forum. First I want to say thanks for being here--I've read through a bunch of posts and your collective knowledge is a tremendous resource for those of who know a little but want to learn more!

I added this piece to my collection today and I wanted to get some opinions on it. I believe it is one of the early Lend-Lease Victory Model pistols that did not bear the letter V in the serial number. It has the (I think) British proofing marks, and has "38 S&W CTG" on the barrel, although the cylinder will accommodate 38 Special ammo. I was told many of these were re-chambered in 38 Special, but there are no markings to indicate this. Also, no markings indicating U.S. Government Property. Barrel is 5" Please let me know what you think!

Some pics below, more in comments

 

[rexmerdinus1]

More pics attached to this message. Thanks!

 

[Baxter6551]

Welcome to the Forum. My limited knowledge on Victory’s is that you are correct - British proof marks on frame and cylinder. A beautiful piece of history. I’m sure others more knowledgeable in the Victory revolvers than me will be along shortly.

 

[raljr1]

You have a British Service Revolver, BSR. This was the predecessor to the Victory model. Many of these were purchased directly by the British Purchasing Commission during the early years of WWII. Later, the V was added to the serial number when over a million Victory models were manufactured.

Check to see if a 38 special will chamber completely, it should not. If it does, it has been reamed to accept the 38 special. I still would not shoot specials in kit. The 38 S&W is slightly larger in diameter and shorter.

Her is one I picked up last year. I like the caliber. Low recoil.

 

[DWalt]

Pre-LL BSRs had no topstrap property markings. LL revolver shipments did not begin until around October 1941. Those had topstrap property stamps. There were usually no British proof marks. There were proof markings applied in England when surplus revolvers were sold off after the war, usually in the 1950s-60s. 5” barrels were BSR standard, but some earlier ones had 6” barrels. Lengthening cylinder chambers to accommodate .38 Special was most commonly done by U.S. surplus gun importers. That sort of kills BSR collectibility.Shoot all the .38 Special ammunition you wish. It is safe.

 

[rexmerdinus1]

Wow, that was quick! Thanks for the information. Any idea on manufacture date or approximate value? Also, there is no checkering on my grips, not sure if that matters.

 

[Muley Gil]

Wow, that was quick! Thanks for the information. Any idea on manufacture date or approximate value? Also, there is no checkering on my grips, not sure if that matters.

Welcome to the Forum.

Your BSR probably shipped in 1941. The correct stocks should be checkered service models and have small silver medallions, like the ones in post #4.

 

[raljr1]

Wow, that was quick! Thanks for the information. Any idea on manufacture date or approximate value? Also, there is no checkering on my grips, not sure if that matters.

Mine is serial number 835753 it shipped in September 1941 and I paid $525 for it about a year and a half ago. I would estimate its value at $600 or so today.

 

[rexmerdinus1]

Thanks again, everyone. I'll be lurking and reading up!

 

[Baxter6551]

See ? Told ya ! Learned something new myself - BSR vs. Victory.