S&W Victory model serial number lookup
- Thread starter rlee1976
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Hey guys, first post. Just received a Victory model for Christmas today. Trying to get some info on it, as I'm not really familiar with these. The serial number is V673813. It also has a P stamp after the serial and on the left side near the top strap behind the cylinder.
LWCmdr45 and Ordnanceguy, I just don't know how you do it, and keep your sanity.
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s/n v20171
Hi, I came into a S&W that appears to be a victory model. It has a s/n of V20171 on the butt next to the lanyard ring. The grips are ivory or bone ?? and it appears to be in fairly decent shape. Can anyone provide additional information on this piece? Thank you.
Hi, I came into a S&W that appears to be a victory model. It has a s/n of V20171 on the butt next to the lanyard ring. The grips are ivory or bone ?? and it appears to be in fairly decent shape. Can anyone provide additional information on this piece? Thank you.
ordnanceguy
Member
Weaver:
Welcome to the Forum.
We'll need a little more information in order to help you. We need: caliber, barrel length, left top strap markings, type of stocks (smooth walnut or other), and any post-factory modifications or markings.
ordnanceguy
Member
S&WVictory:
Welcome to the Forum.
We'll need a little more information in order to help you. We need: caliber, barrel length, left top strap markings, and any post-factory modifications or markings. The stocks you mentioned are not factory stocks for the Victory. Pictures would make it much easier to diagnose what you have.
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The barrel length appears to be 4 inches measured from the front of the cylinder where it meets the barrel.
The left side of the barrel has engraved "Smith & Wesson".
The top of the barrel says "Smith & Wesson Springfield MASS USA Patented Feb 6 XX Sept 14 09 Dec 29 14".
The right side of the barrel says "38 S.&W. Special CTG".
Right side of frame above and front of trigger guard says "Made in U.S.A.".
The butt has a lanyard ring and the serial number "V 20171".
With the cylinder open the front inside of the frame has an "S" and a serial number "66966" of some sort below it which does not match the serial number from the butt. There appear to be no other markings on the gun other than a repeat of the "V 20171" serial number.
I am unable to upload any pics that I have.
The left side of the barrel has engraved "Smith & Wesson".
The top of the barrel says "Smith & Wesson Springfield MASS USA Patented Feb 6 XX Sept 14 09 Dec 29 14".
The right side of the barrel says "38 S.&W. Special CTG".
Right side of frame above and front of trigger guard says "Made in U.S.A.".
The butt has a lanyard ring and the serial number "V 20171".
With the cylinder open the front inside of the frame has an "S" and a serial number "66966" of some sort below it which does not match the serial number from the butt. There appear to be no other markings on the gun other than a repeat of the "V 20171" serial number.
I am unable to upload any pics that I have.
ordnanceguy
Member
S&WVictory:
Thanks for the additional details. That makes it easier to help you.
From the Victory Model Database, which my pal LWCmdr45 and I administer, I can tell you that your Victory likely shipped from the factory in the June-July, 1942 time frame. If the markings have not been removed it was likely a Defense Supplies Corporation authorized revolver. Without pics not much more can be said about it, but I think I have hit the high points as to what you were looking for. I hope that info helps you.
Thanks for the additional details. That makes it easier to help you.
From the Victory Model Database, which my pal LWCmdr45 and I administer, I can tell you that your Victory likely shipped from the factory in the June-July, 1942 time frame. If the markings have not been removed it was likely a Defense Supplies Corporation authorized revolver. Without pics not much more can be said about it, but I think I have hit the high points as to what you were looking for. I hope that info helps you.
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Thank you for the reply. The pics are too large for the forum to accept. I can send them via email if necessary.
Last item, this is marked as "38 S.&W. Special" so it should be able to handle the standard 38 special ammo, correct?
Last item, this is marked as "38 S.&W. Special" so it should be able to handle the standard 38 special ammo, correct?
ordnanceguy
Member
Yes, correct as to standard non+P ammunition being suitable.
You can email the pics to me a [email protected], and remove the NOSPAM.
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Hi, I sent those pics to the email address you identified.
Praetorianseven
Member
Help, I just purchased a S&W Victory model that appears to use .38 S&W ctg. The serial number is V22177, stamped United States Property. I'm on the road and do not have access to my S&W reference book. Any info on when this revolver was built?
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Looking for info on a Victory
Hi. I just acquired a Smith & Wesson Victory in a trade for some used golf clubs. I was doing some research on the gun when I came across this forum. If anybody here can help give me any more information on my gun I would greatly appreciate it!!
It is a 4 inch barrel.
the serial number is V505215
On one side of the barrel it says 38 S. & W. Special CTG
On the top of the frame it has the little bomb insignia followed by U.S. Property G.H.D
There is a P stamped on the frame between the cylinder and the hammer.
On the other side of frame it has the Smith & Wesson trade mark and Made in U.S.A.
Thank you for any info!
Hi. I just acquired a Smith & Wesson Victory in a trade for some used golf clubs. I was doing some research on the gun when I came across this forum. If anybody here can help give me any more information on my gun I would greatly appreciate it!!
It is a 4 inch barrel.
the serial number is V505215
On one side of the barrel it says 38 S. & W. Special CTG
On the top of the frame it has the little bomb insignia followed by U.S. Property G.H.D
There is a P stamped on the frame between the cylinder and the hammer.
On the other side of frame it has the Smith & Wesson trade mark and Made in U.S.A.
Thank you for any info!
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DWalt
Member
V22177 Shipping date probably mid-1942 (June-July)
V505215 Shipping date probably very early 1944 (Jan-Feb)
Manufacturing date would be earlier.
V505215 Shipping date probably very early 1944 (Jan-Feb)
Manufacturing date would be earlier.
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DWalt ... thank you!
Here is what I think I have found out ...
United States Property mark was shortened to "U.S. Property" at serial number V300000. At this time the G.H.D. acceptance mark was moved from the butt to the left top strap. (where it is on my gun) Everything looks proper here.
The G.H.D. is an acceptance mark of Ordinance Officer Guy H Drewry and was placed on guns from 1942 till May 1943. (so a shipping date of early 1944 would make sense)
After 1942 the checkered grips were changed to smooth walnut. My gun has what appears to be the original smooth walnut grips, so everything seems to add up here as well.
After V400000 some Victory models delivered under an Army contract can be found with the P mark that my 38. Special has. ... 352,000 .38 Specials were shipped to the Army and Navy, so again, everything seems to add up.
So I guess my gun was made some time between 1942 to May 1943. And was shipped out in early 1944 to the U.S. Army.
IS there any way for me to find out anything more about this particular gun? If I were to pay Smith & Wesson $50 or is there any book or source that could help me more?
Here is what I think I have found out ...
United States Property mark was shortened to "U.S. Property" at serial number V300000. At this time the G.H.D. acceptance mark was moved from the butt to the left top strap. (where it is on my gun) Everything looks proper here.
The G.H.D. is an acceptance mark of Ordinance Officer Guy H Drewry and was placed on guns from 1942 till May 1943. (so a shipping date of early 1944 would make sense)
After 1942 the checkered grips were changed to smooth walnut. My gun has what appears to be the original smooth walnut grips, so everything seems to add up here as well.
After V400000 some Victory models delivered under an Army contract can be found with the P mark that my 38. Special has. ... 352,000 .38 Specials were shipped to the Army and Navy, so again, everything seems to add up.
So I guess my gun was made some time between 1942 to May 1943. And was shipped out in early 1944 to the U.S. Army.
IS there any way for me to find out anything more about this particular gun? If I were to pay Smith & Wesson $50 or is there any book or source that could help me more?
DWalt
Member
Dill7 - V 550616 would likely have shipped March or April of 1944. See the link in my prior posting. Yours appears to be the British .38/200 version. Regarding value, it all depends upon condition and originality. A great many of the .38/200s were butchered up pretty badly after WWII to make them more attractive for civilian sale. This involved shortening barrels, refinishing, and boring out chambers to accept .38 Special ammunition. Those molested guns have no collector value, and are good only as shooters.
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DWalt, you are very kind to take the time to help people out like this. You are a gentleman and a scholar!
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
