S&W Victory model serial number lookup

[rlee1976]

Can anyone help me? I am purchasing a Victory model .38 special with the serial number V53254. Does anyone know the year this gun was made? Also, this gun has a blued finish, but I know most of these were parkerized, right? Was this blueing done later, or is it not unheard of to find one with an original blued finish? Thanks.

 

[opoefc]

V53254 was shipped in Aug. 1942, Close serial numbers went to the US Navy and to the Hercules Powder Co., so with out a factory letter, you won't know if the gun was a military shipped gun or sent to a war plant's guard unit. It was shipped in S&W's military non-glare finish Sand Blast Blue" so it has been refinished. Ed #15

 

[rlee1976]

Thank you! This Sandblast blue finish, what is it? Is it just standard blueing that, instead of getting polished, gets sandblasted for a matte appeearance? If that's the case, is it possible that instead of being refinished in blue, it was simply polished to give it that nice traditional blue look? See, the gun is highly engraved,does that tell you anything, like maybe it was engraved into the sandblast finish, and then polished up afterwards to give it a nice luster? I am not an expert on finishes, just trying to learn more about my beautiful "new" gun. By the way, there's no reason that this gun couldn't be fired with standard .38 special loads, is there? I mean, how old does a gun have to be before you start worrying about metal brittleness, like in antique (pre 1899) guns?

 

[sureshotbob]

I think if the gun is engraved that it most likely polished before it was engraved then reblued after.Also it should be fine to shoot standard .38 special load in it.

 

[dant]

yessir, after engraving, they will get refinished...depended on just what finish the 'owner' selected at the time,most after engraving are 'blued".

 

[rlee1976]

This is going to be about the dumbest question ever posted, but here goes...Did Victory models get shipped in individually numbered boxes? I am going to buy a set of original smooth grips for my gun, and if necessary, a box to complete the set. The gun is already wearing a set of ivories, but I like to have complete sets for the firearms I own.

 

[rlee1976]

Anybody? Were these Victory models shipped with indivual boxes? Thanks.

 

[opoefc]

rlee, Yes and No. Ed. #15 ( Yes, they were shipped in individual boxes and No they were not serial numbered )

 

[ordnanceguy]

Did Victory models get shipped in individually numbered boxes?

RLee:

None of the genuine Victory Model boxes I have observed were serial numbered to the revolver. I own two, one a DSC shipment and the other military. Neither is serial numbered.

Good luck finding a genuine box. They come up for sale about as often as appearances of Halley's Comet.

 

[rlee1976]

Oh, thanks. I was having trouble interpreting opoefc's reply. So they did come with individual boxes, but not serial numbered to the gun? Care to part with one of those boxes, Charlie? Either way, could you post a couple pics of them, so I know what to look for? Thanks.

 

[ordnanceguy]

So they did come with individual boxes, but not serial numbered to the gun? Care to part with one of those boxes, Charlie? Either way, could you post a couple pics of them, so I know what to look for? Thanks.

RLee:

Yes, the Victory revolvers were individually packaged at the factory in cardboard cartons. Shown below is a rather crummy old pic I had of the carton for the DSC gun which shipped to a textile factory in New England. The handwriting seen on the carton is not the serial number.

I have not seen enough of them to be absolutely certain that the cartons were not serial numbered, but can tell you that those that I have observed over many years of collecting Victory Models did not bear a serial number. My opinion is that none of them were so numbered.

 

[rlee1976]

Okay, so how much for your least favorite box? I'm not rich, but throw me a number.

 

[[email protected]]

Info on SN: V636644 ?

It is blued with case hardened hammer and trigger. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Mike

 

[ordnanceguy]

Mike:

Welcome to the Forum.

Please help me to help you. I need the barrel length, caliber, finish, left top strap markings, butt markings, stock type, and any post-factory markings. With that information I can give you a pretty good estimate on your revolver.

 

[4mrinsul8tor]

I have a .38 victory model.Serial number v380545,.38 s/w cartridge.Any info would be appreciated.

 

[ordnanceguy]

4:

Welcome to the Forum.

Please help me to help you. I need the barrel length, finish type, left top strap markings, bottom of butt markings, stock type (smooth walnut?), and any post-factory markings. With that information I can give you a pretty good estimate on your revolver.

 

[4mrinsul8tor]

5inch barrel,parkerized,smooth walnut.Bottom butt-380545.Left top strap-a symbol that looks like #8,U.S.Property GHD.Next to MADE IN U.S.A.marking D^D
L^^ FTR V^S^(this is not very clear)
19

 

[ordnanceguy]

4:

Thanks for the additional info. That makes it much easier to help you.

Your revolver was likely shipped from the S&W factory in August, 1943 time frame. From the markings you provided it is evident that your Victory served with the Australian military, as it bears the FTR rebuild markings that are so often seen on the Aussie guns. Most of the Aussie guns seen here today underwent a rebuild process in the 1950s.

You have a nice, historical piece there. Enjoy it.

 

[4mrinsul8tor]

Thank`s Charlie Flick #729

 

[Bushmillsgirl]

I have a S&W .38 converted by Cogswell and Harrison London. Just trying to find out info on this gun. Serial number V 437862.