Need help dating a US NAVY marked Victory revolver

[tsellati]

I am looking at a US NAVY marked revolver with the serial number V239647. Can anyone tell me when this revolver might have been manufactured. Also, what style grips would it have left the factory with - smooth or checkered?

Thanks for the information.

Tim

 

[Art Doc]

The Vs were made mid 1942 to mid 1945. Need closer than that?

 

[tsellati]

The Vs were made mid 1942 to mid 1945. Need closer than that?

Yes, I was aware of the WWII time frame but was curious to learn whether a more specific year can be determined. I am surprised a database does not appear to exist for the S&W Victory revolver as it does for many other U.S. Martial weapons.

As my kids would ask, "What's up with that?"

Tim

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

U.S. Navy marked Victory revolver

The U.S. Navy Victory revolver that I own is #V198027 and the company records show it was shipped from the S&W factory on January 6, 1943 to the United States Navy, Oakland, California Hope will give you some idea of the date of your Victory revolver.
Nick

 

[tsellati]

The U.S. Navy Victory revolver that I own is #V198027 and the company records show it was shipped from the S&W factory on January 6, 1943 to the United States Navy, Oakland, California Hope will give you some idea of the date of your Victory revolver.
Nick

Nick,

Thanks. On the basis of your serial number and date of manufacture it was likely that the one I am looking at was a mid-1943 build.

Much appreciated.

Tim

 

[turnerriver]

Need help...

An excellent & comprehensive data base for the Victory
model does exist,
maintained by 2 forum members.I'm confident 1 or both of them
will weigh in before long.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[LWCmdr45]

I am looking at a US NAVY marked revolver with the serial number V239647. Can anyone tell me when this revolver might have been manufactured. Also, what style grips would it have left the factory with - smooth or checkered?

Thanks for the information.

Tim

Tim,

Based on the database maintained by my friend, Charlie ("ordnanceguy"), and me, your gun probably shipped in February, 1943. (Smith & Wesson rrecords only ever indicate date of shipping, not date of manufacture.) As you will note by its proximity to the already mentioned SN shipped in January, they were really cranking them out by that point of the war, eh?! It would have shipped with plain, uncheckered walnut stocks with the serial number marked inside the right side panel. In addition to the "U.S. NAVY" top strap marking, production of this period should also have an Ordnance Dept. "flaming bomb" mark at the butt.

Steve

 

[opoefc]

Victory Model V238853 shipped Feb. 26, 1943 and V240996 and V243379 shipped in March 1943. V238647 would have been right in this period. Ed.

 

[kikokat]

Victory #265296 shipped to the U.S. Navy in Norfolk, VA. on Mar 19,1943