S&W Victory model serial number lookup

[Absalom]

Hello, I'm a new owner of a victory model with no us military markings. On the barrel 38 s&w special ctg and the serial number is v170520 any info would be greatly appreciated thanks...

Assuming that the finish is original and no markings have been removed, your gun shipped most likely in late 1942, November or December, (but possibly in early 1943), on a contract from the DSC (Defense Supply Corporation) to a non-military user in the US somewhere or to the US Maritime Commision at one of its receiving depots. When factory letters are available for order again, that may be an option (unlike on military Victorys, which didn't ship to end users). Sometimes DSC guns went to interesting recipients.

 

[DWalt]

One of DSC's functions was to supply guns for essential home-front civilian users, typically law enforcement or security guards at defense plants. Ordinary citizens could not buy new guns at that time, as virtually all production went to the military, just like cars (although limited numbers of Plymouth autos were available to certain civilians). DSC guns were made in larger numbers than for the US Maritime Commission, and yours is statistically more likely to be a DSC.

 

[Bigtcopley]

Thanks very much! I will post some pics later today. I found a flaming bomb on the butt last night.

 

[IowaFarmBoy1964]

I have a Victory model with the following markings:

Serial Number: V 5052xx (under barrel, under butt, on cylinder and on extractor)
Barrel Markings Left: SMITH & WESSON
Barrel Markings Right: .38 S&W SPECIAL CTG
Barrel Markings Top: SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. U.S.A.
PATENTED FEB.6.06 . SEP.14.09 . DEC.29.14
Crane and Crane Recess: 50091 S
Frame Top Strap: Ordinance "flaming bomb" symbol and, 'US. PROPERTY G.H.D.
Upper left frame: "P" proof

Interested in the build/ship time frame and also, I have a friend interested in purchasing so I'm trying to get some idea of what it's worth before the "Friend Discount." Not even sure I want to let it go after everything I've read about peoples fondness for them and it was my grandfathers.

It is fully operational and in good condition. He made custom add on mahogany grips and I'm pretty sure he blued it although I wonder if it really was Parkerized originally?

Any insight into what I have would be appreciated!

 

[DWalt]

V 5052xx suggests an early 1944 shipment. If it has been blued, and you are the best judge of that, it's just a shooter, worth what someone will pay for it as such, and it has no collector value. If he will pay $300, take it.

 

[IowaFarmBoy1964]

Thank you

V 5052xx suggests an early 1944 shipment. If it has been blued, and you are the best judge of that, it's just a shooter, worth what someone will pay for it as such, and it has no collector value. If he will pay $300, take it.

I suspected it would be something like that. That's exactly what my grandfather used it for. At the range!

Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[Sargeast]

Serial Check

I have a S&W Victory Model with:
5 Inch Barrel
Parkerized Finish (was under black paint), possibly 2nd finish because markings are faded
Serial #V719370
Chambered (unaltered) for S&W 38 ctg
No markings can be seen on back strap
Import mark under barrel from CAI
Walnut grips

 

[DWalt]

I have a S&W Victory Model with:
5 Inch Barrel
Parkerized Finish (was under black paint), possibly 2nd finish because markings are faded
Serial #V719370
Chambered (unaltered) for S&W 38 ctg
No markings can be seen on back strap
Import mark under barrel from CAI
Walnut grips

Yours was very close to the end of the line for V-prefix Victories, as shortly thereafter, the improved drop safety was incorporated into the design around very early 1945. At that time, the SN prefix was changed to SV. Yours was very likely shipped around November 1944. Yours was also fairly near the end of the line for the .38/200 BSRs, as the British ceased ordering them early in 1945. You are very fortunate yours has not been rechambered. Any other markings on it? Could be Australian.

 

[Modified]

Well, it arrived, there is some stuff going on here I don't understand.

I think I have enough pictures here for you guys to tell me what's what with this? At least as far as you can go without a letter.













and for good measure:





All the numbers on the gun match.

Nothing on the back of the stocks. No pencil or markings at all.

You should be able to blow up any of the images pretty big.

I think this thing is just the bees knees. I'm really curious to see if anyone knows anything about the extra markings on there.

 

[DWalt]

Grips look like real ivory. Wonder who "The Greek" was?

 

[kwill1911]

My guess is that it is one of the Victory Model revolvers turned over after WWII for German police, hence the markings on the back strap (which I can't quite make out). Also, the style of carving on the ivory (oak leaves/acorn) is stereotypical of German engraving. What markings are on the butt with the serial number? A large W, perhaps?

 

[DWalt]

I believe most of the German and Austrian Civil Police were armed with .38/200s during the postwar occupation period, but that doesn't mean that there weren't some in .38 Special. The fact that there is no property stamping on the topstrap (at least not that I can see) indicates that it is probably not a military revolver. Knowing the SN might help to establish a little more about that.

 

[Modified]

My guess is that it is one of the Victory Model revolvers turned over after WWII for German police, hence the markings on the back strap (which I can't quite make out). Also, the style of carving on the ivory (oak leaves/acorn) is stereotypical of German engraving. What markings are on the butt with the serial number? A large W, perhaps?

Just a flaming bomb and V123572

I have noticed that S has been stamped on it on the face of the cylinder, the crane, and the frame too.

 

[DWalt]

V123572 would date from around November 1942. My best guess is at that time, it is very likely to have been a DSC revolver, made for stateside civilian use by police, defense plant guards, etc. as those did not have property stampings. There are a few others shipped without property stampings, but all military Victories did. The other stampings on the butt could well have been applied as inventory or rack numbers, etc. A factory letter might help if you are willing to pay the $75 to (maybe) find out more about it.

 

[Absalom]

Didn't we see this gun with these "The Greek" stocks in an earlier thread here not too long ago?

I think we can ignore the stocks as we have no idea whether these were even originally made or meant for this Victory.

The key is the number on the side of the frame and the word or acronym on the backstrap, which I can't make out partly due to the misaligned stamping and partly the angle and lighting of the photo.

Something like ? ? P ? N K S maybe? Stumped.

 

[Absalom]

.....
I have noticed that S has been stamped on it on the face of the cylinder, the crane, and the frame too.

That S is of no particular significance. It would only matter if it were on the butt by the V and on the sideplate where the 151 is located, because then it would indicate a gun upgraded to the new hammer block safety.

 

[DWalt]

Doesn't fit, but maybe BRINKS (armored car)? I can't make it out from the picture either, definitely hand-stamped, and crudely so.

 

[Modified]

Doesn't fit, but maybe BRINKS (armored car)? I can't make it out from the picture either, definitely hand-stamped, and crudely so.

It's just as hard to make out in my hand, that picture actually cleared the letters up.

I might see about.. what is it White Crayon that guys use for old markings sometimes?

 

[tritonboy2001]

S&W Victory

Fellas,

I would appreciate lil help. Picked up a nice Victory model today along with US Govt holster (person said original to gun). Little info on gun: topstrap is stamped "U.S. Property G.H.D." In front of the "U.S." is a small insignia that I can't ID. Right side of the barrel has ".38 S. & W. Special CTG". On top of the barrel is stamped "Smith & Wesson Springfield, Mass." with patent dates of Feb 8, 1908; Sept 14, 1909; and Dec 22, 1914. Right side of frame behind the cylinder is "Made in U.S.A." and a trademark stamp. Also, has multiple P markings and few S markings. Still has lanyard and original grips numbered to gun. On bottom of gun and inside cylinder is S V 777892.
Info such as date, country of service, etc would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Absalom]

You appear to have a late US Victory model from early 1945, manufactured after the new hammer block safety was introduced and put into production. This reportedly happened around V 769,000, and guns with the S added to the V prefix began actually shipping in mid-January, according to Charles Pate's book, the standard reference on these.

It has standard military proofs and markings and would have shipped to a Navy yard or Army depot for further distribution.

 

[tritonboy2001]

V Info

Absalom,

Thanks for the info.

 

[Absalom]

By the way, the holster could well be original to the gun, but not necessarily from WW II, since the Victory was in use for a long time after, in some cases right up to the adoption of the M9 in the 80s. If you post a picture, there are folks on this forum (not me ), who could likely tell you more.

 

[DWalt]

Fellas,

I would appreciate lil help. Picked up a nice Victory model today along with US Govt holster (person said original to gun). Little info on gun: topstrap is stamped "U.S. Property G.H.D." In front of the "U.S." is a small insignia that I can't ID. Right side of the barrel has ".38 S. & W. Special CTG". On top of the barrel is stamped "Smith & Wesson Springfield, Mass." with patent dates of Feb 8, 1908; Sept 14, 1909; and Dec 22, 1914. Right side of frame behind the cylinder is "Made in U.S.A." and a trademark stamp. Also, has multiple P markings and few S markings. Still has lanyard and original grips numbered to gun. On bottom of gun and inside cylinder is S V 777892.
Info such as date, country of service, etc would be much appreciated.

Thanks

The earliest of the SV-series revolvers I show on my list is SV 7628xx, with an unknown shipping date, but likely in January 1945. I have never seen any solid information as to exactly how many went to the US Military, the British Military, or to other users. There were numerous SV frames and components remaining in factory inventory which were assembled after the war's end in August 1945 and sold on the open civilian market during the early months of 1946. Those would not have the U. S. PROPERTY stamping. The total number of SV-series revolvers is approximately 50,000. With the U. S. PROPERTY stamping and in .38 Special caliber, it is very probable yours was initially sent to a U. S. Navy depot sometime in 1945. In later years, it's possible that it could have been used by other branches of the U. S. Military. As noted, many Victory revolvers remained in U. S. Military service throughout the Vietnam era and even beyond.

 

[ordnanceguy]

The earliest of the SV-series revolvers I show on my list is SV 7628xx..... I have never seen any solid information as to exactly how many went to.... the British Military.....

None. There were no SV prefix revolvers in .38 S&W (.38-200) shipped by S&W to British or Commonwealth destinations during WW2.

 

[wcjenn]

38 special Victory Model S/N lookup

My brother in law recently passed away and let me a 38 special Victory model revolver. I am trying to determine the ship date and any other information on this firearm. The S/N is V136931

 

[raisedin99]

Last month at OGCA I was fortunate enough to acquire another 4" US Property G.H.D.Victory revolver serial V720558, All indications would leave me to believe that its was only factory fired but who will ever know.

Often times, during the wheeling and dealing stage they come with a story and this one is no exception, the seller told me this Victory was sold for $50.00 out of a armory back in the 70's or 80's located near Columbus, Ohio. He said the Victory revolvers were wrapped in a triangular piece of waxed Kraft paper and supposedly this is the piece that came with this gun. I suppose this story could be feasible.

Along with this story he said Stevens trench shotguns were sold for $70.00.

Anyone here have any information concerning the validity of "the story or the waxed paper".

terry

[

ps
If someone has time I would be interested in the date

terry

 

[raisedin99]

I hadn't had all the girls out for a while. One a navy marked the rest
US property. None of the grips number match.

terry

[/URL]

 

[edritchey]

Trying to get some info on this Victory Model

Hoping to get a date and maybe some history on this old Victory model 38 S&W revolver. Thanks in advance. Eric

 

[Absalom]

Hoping to get a date and maybe some history on this old Victory model 38 S&W revolver. Thanks in advance. Eric

Interesting. A very late British Service version of the Victory, Dec. 1944 or even early January 1945.

It was issued to German police in the occupation era after WW II. The POL LUN is a stamp I have not seen, but my educated guess would be POLIZEI and either LÜNEBURG or LÜNEN, both in the British zone.

It was handed back to the British, because it was surplused out and commercially proofed before 1955 in Birmingham. It was also refinished at some point, and the stocks are not original.

 

[edritchey]

Interesting. A very late British Service version of the Victory, Dec. 1944 or even early January 1945.

It was issued to German police in the occupation era after WW II. The POL LUN is a stamp I have not seen, but my educated guess would be POLIZEI and either LÜNEBURG or LÜNEN, both in the British zone.

It was handed back to the British, because it was surplused out and commercially proofed before 1955 in Birmingham. It was also refinished at some point, and the stocks are not original.

Thank you for the info. I'ts amazing - I never shot it and was thinking about selling it but I think I might hold onto it because of it's neat history. A local dealer offered me 200 for it not long ago. EDR