S&w 38 special victory model?help..

[floydb]

I believe this is a victory model serial# v 513xxx.. can someone confirm and possibly give a date of manufacture

 

[Goony]

Rebarreled & refinished, wrong grips, so collector value is nil. That said, it most likely shipped in its original configuration in early 1944.

 

[DWalt]

It is, but has been heavily modified. No collector value, just a shooter.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

It looks like a different front sight has been added, as well as newer stocks.

 

[s&wchad]

I zoomed in and can see that it was originally a British Service revolver chambered in .38/200 (.38 S&W), which is not the same as .38 Special.

It originally had a 5" barrel. The barrel was cut back to 4", had a new ramp front sight attached and was re-chambered to .38 Special. It was re-proofed in England, before being sold on the commercial market.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Some of those had the cylinders sleeved and were converted very competently to .38 special. Many of them just had the cylinders reamed. That works, but the brass often splits when fired.