New to forum and I have a Victory for data base

[bruce bruce]

Hello, cool forum I've been having alot of fun reading so far. I've got a Victory s#V106457 that you can add to your data base. It's in pretty good shape, shoots good has US Navy stamped on the top strap. I don't know much more about them except what I've learned here.So if anyone could tell me more I would appreiciate it. I'm really amazed about how much discussion about them is on this forum. I just thought it was a cool gun when I bought it.

 

[bruce bruce]

Hello, cool forum I've been having alot of fun reading so far. I've got a Victory s#V106457 that you can add to your data base. It's in pretty good shape, shoots good has US Navy stamped on the top strap. I don't know much more about them except what I've learned here.So if anyone could tell me more I would appreiciate it. I'm really amazed about how much discussion about them is on this forum. I just thought it was a cool gun when I bought it.

 

[Deacon KC]

Hi BB, welcome to the place. This is a great bunch here and I am always amazed at how willing everyone here is to help.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Hi Bruce:

Welcome aboard to the Forum. This is a great place to learn and share information with others.

Your Victory was likely shipped from the S&W factory in September, 1942, based on the information contained in the Victory Database which my collaborator LWCmdr45 and I maintain.

Thanks for your serial number data. Am I correct in assuming that your revolver has a 4" barrel, in caliber.38 Special, parkerized finish, and has smooth walnut stocks?

As for the detailed story on the Victory Model, it is really rather fascinating and any telling of it would require considerable space. I commend to you S&WCA member Charlie Pate's excellent book entitled "US Handguns of WWII". It contains the most detailed information on the Victory Model to be found anywhere. You can buy it from the publisher Man At Arms at this link:

http://www.manatarmsbooks.com/patebook.html

Hope this information helps you.

Regards,
Charlie Flick

 

[bruce bruce]

Yes Charlie, you are correct in your description of my victory. Thanks for the tip I may pick up that book as I like gun history. Is the US Navy on the top of the strap make it a rare gun? I read on the forum about the artical in the recent NRA mag and I read it today. Ive had the gun for 7 or 8 years and in the last week I've learned more then in the entire time. Bruce

 

[ordnanceguy]

Bruce:

No, I personally do not regard the US Navy marking on the left top strap as a "rare" marking. There were many thousands of identical Victories so marked.

However, that marking does have a special appeal to collectors of martial arms and the Victory in particular, so while not rare your Navy marked Victory is more desirable to collectors than one not so marked.

The Victory gets a lot of attention on this Forum because we are all Smith nuts here, and because there is also a cadre of guys here who have come to appreciate the many fine characteristics of the Victory Model. Interest in the Victory has increased substantially over the past few years. I think that Charlie Pate's book certainly deserves credit for a lot of that increased interest.

Regards,
Charlie Flick