S&W Victory 2"

[Hayesd01]

Hello,

It has been awhile since I posted but thought I would look to the experts to see if I made a good purchase. (Probably should have done this before I hit the button, but I have a history of taking some chances on these purchases! I bought a Jack Ruby owned revolver years ago that turned out well!)

I have looked for a 2inch Victory model for years and saw the one below this past week. I had some apprehension of its authenticity because it did not initially appear to be in the serial number range of known 2inch models, but it looked decent otherwise. I do have a few days inspection, but I wanted to see what the group thought prior to me receiving.

Thanks so much

Eric
Smith and Wesson Victory Model, 2 inch : Other Collectible Guns at GunBroker.com

 

[murphydog]

I think the key would be a matching numbered barrel, which was not shown in the photos. As you noted the history letter will be the deciding factor. Good luck!

 

[StakeOut]

Congrats on your dream come true.Enjoy it to the fullest.

I guess a letter is needed for peace of mind or ....

Now that you own it how will you use it or will it be hidden away in a safe?

My previously owned guns have only been owned by deplorables

 

[Absalom]

As murphydog says, the key is the barrel. From the detail photos and given the limits of the lighting, the gun looks original and in very good condition. I'm sure you know the stocks are non-original post-war magnas. The one picture that would have sealed the deal is the matching serial on the barrel flat. I would not have bid without seeing that, but if it is there, then given the prices paid for 2" Victorys, that would be an excellent buy.

 

[kwill1911]

This is going to be a big disappointment if you wanted an original 2" Victory Model. This one isn't. The barrel has been replaced and the top strap marking is incorrect for a 2" gun.

 

[Absalom]

This is going to be a big disappointment if you wanted an original 2" Victory Model. This one isn't. The barrel has been replaced and the top strap marking is incorrect for a 2" gun.

After checking in Pate, this is indeed the case. The original guns from the 1942 contract had the UNITED STATES PROPERTY stamping. Pate references "some unkown number in the low thousands" that were converted to 2" after the war. It could be one of those. I know nothing about their relative collectibility and whether they hold any enhanced value.

PS: We have documented 2" Victorys from 1944 and 1945 which shipped at a time when the stamping on your specimen had replaced the long version on all guns. But AFAIK those later-shipped 2-inchers are DSC guns with no top strap marking. We have some members here who own 2" Victorys and value them highly. One of them might chip in if they know whether a military-shipped 2" gun with your marking is a possibility.

 

[kwill1911]

One of them might chip in if they know whether a military-shipped 2" gun with your marking is a possibility.

No, it is not.

 

[DWalt]

Indeed, if the Pate information is correct, this revolver could not have come from the factory originally with a 2" barrel. It's possible it could have been a later postwar conversion of a 4" Victory. Or something else.

I think I would request more than a few days inspection on this one until you can get a factory letter. Too much $ at stake to take a chance on what seems highly likely to be something different than you otherwise expect. Or maybe just put the deal on hold indefinitely.

 

[Absalom]

No, it is not.

Are you aware of any more detail on those "low thousands" of post-war 2" conversions? Besides Pate's brief mention, I haven't come across anything. The factory/arsenal barrel swaps resulting in the distinct post-war version of the 2" Colt Commando are reasonably well documented, but there seems to be no comparable info for the Victory.

 

[kwill1911]

Are you aware of any more detail on those "low thousands" of post-war 2" conversions? Besides Pate's brief mention, I haven't come across anything. The factory/arsenal barrel swaps resulting in the distinct post-war version of the 2" Colt Commando are reasonably well documented, but there seems to be no comparable info for the Victory.

No, although I hope to do more research on these as time (and Roy Jinks) permits. I have completed an article on the 2" Victory Model which is in the queue to be published and I hope it lays to rest a lot of the misinformation about these guns.

 

[Hayesd01]

I wanted to thank everyone for the expertise in an area that I am still learning! Fortunately there was no exchange of money on this auction and I will continue my search.

Thanks again everyone!

Eric