Thanks! Now I have to kick myself even harder for letting one get away that was <1,000 off the S/N of the one I have. Had been sitting on GB for a while, thought it was overpriced, then one day it disappeared.
S&W Victory model serial number lookup
- Thread starter rlee1976
- Start date
DWalt
Member
I'd agree with that. My figures indicate that during 1943 and 1944, average monthly production would likely have been very close to 20,000, or +/- 4500 per week.
Last edited:
Victory model revolver info
I have a Victory model- serial number V622958. Smooth wood grips, US Property GHD on top left strap. Non-glare / matte finish. Any info on date of manufacture, final destination? Any info would be appreciated. Thx.
I have a Victory model- serial number V622958. Smooth wood grips, US Property GHD on top left strap. Non-glare / matte finish. Any info on date of manufacture, final destination? Any info would be appreciated. Thx.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
It was made in mid-1944.
We need to know the barrel length and/or caliber stamped on the barrel (SPECIAL or not) to determine whether it was a US version shipped most likely to the Navy or a Lend-Lease British Service model. Those are the two possibilities.
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2021
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
Hello, i have a victory model serial number V31576. Smooth wood grips, lanyard loop hole on the butt, but its missing the loop itself, US NAVY stamped on the top left strap and CD stamped on both sides. 4in barrel in .38 special.
It was my fathers gun that went to me when he passed, and I pretty much know nothing about it. Its been sitting in my safe for close to 10 years now so i finally decided to look into it a little bit. Its special to me and will be passed to my son eventually, so i am just trying to see what i can find out about it.
It was my fathers gun that went to me when he passed, and I pretty much know nothing about it. Its been sitting in my safe for close to 10 years now so i finally decided to look into it a little bit. Its special to me and will be passed to my son eventually, so i am just trying to see what i can find out about it.
Attachments
![DSC_0207[47].jpg](https://cdn.smith-wessonforum.com/attachments/413/413805-7d3d5f0f476f1e5967657523256ae2d1.jpg?hash=Xb_BIUPTvY)
Targets Guy
US Veteran
Welcome to the forum. Go through this thread and you will learn a ton about the Victory and pick up many tips on your Victory. With that s/n you have a very early Victory. It would have shipped in 1942.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Indeed, as Mike says, mid-1942, and a direct US Navy purchase. These were used primarily for Naval and Marine aviators, but also ship-side guard duty, shore facilities etc.
The CD almost certainly stands for Civil Defense and is a relic of the Cold War. Military surplus revolvers were transfered to CD organizations after WW II, and since there was no marking standard, these tend to be haphazard and often impossible to attribute to a specific place.
The missing swivel is easy to replace; look for an original or replica on e-bay, Gunbroker, or at Numrich/Gun Parts Corp.
The CD almost certainly stands for Civil Defense and is a relic of the Cold War. Military surplus revolvers were transfered to CD organizations after WW II, and since there was no marking standard, these tend to be haphazard and often impossible to attribute to a specific place.
The missing swivel is easy to replace; look for an original or replica on e-bay, Gunbroker, or at Numrich/Gun Parts Corp.
- Joined
- Mar 12, 2021
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
Awesome, thank you guys for the info. I will definitely be looking for a replacement swivel.
Hello. I just bought a Smith Wesson Victory revolver from a member on this forum. The revolver is still at my FFL but I was hoping someone might have info as to when it was made or shipped. I'm going to the the letter as well... It's a standard 4 inch .38 Special US Property GHD marked gun. The serial number is V 52119X.
Last edited:
ordnanceguy
Member
Hello Phillies:
I can help you with that. Your Victory likely shipped from the factory in the January-March, 1944 time frame. That is based upon the information contained in the Victory Model Database.
Regards,
Charlie
I can help you with that. Your Victory likely shipped from the factory in the January-March, 1944 time frame. That is based upon the information contained in the Victory Model Database.
Regards,
Charlie
Ok thanks ! When I get my letter in 10 to 14 weeks I'll post what the exact dates are here.
flightlessgreeb
Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2019
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 28
Hi all! Recently picked up my first ever Victory model and I had a few questions, along with the standard query on generally when it might have been made? It is SN # V123572:
Standard 4" bbl in 38 special but it lacks the US Property or GHD etc stamps on the top strap, which is entirely bare instead. It does have those poorly stamped mark on the back of the grip however:
(full resolution here: https://i.imgur.com/4QZxtb7.jpg) It's hard to tell but it looks like it says B BRINKS or something like that?
It also has what looks like maybe a rack # above the rearmost screw on the right side of the frame:
and these very amusing grips, whose authenticity I have no idea about. (What's an M. SQT.?)
Full album here: S&W Victory Model - Album on Imgur
Standard 4" bbl in 38 special but it lacks the US Property or GHD etc stamps on the top strap, which is entirely bare instead. It does have those poorly stamped mark on the back of the grip however:
(full resolution here: https://i.imgur.com/4QZxtb7.jpg) It's hard to tell but it looks like it says B BRINKS or something like that?
It also has what looks like maybe a rack # above the rearmost screw on the right side of the frame:
and these very amusing grips, whose authenticity I have no idea about. (What's an M. SQT.?)
Full album here: S&W Victory Model - Album on Imgur
I think it was made in 1942 and M. SGT stands for Master Sargent.
flightlessgreeb
Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2019
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 28
That's what I thought at first but its a Q not a G lol - it could be a simple typographic error tho since the last S in LEWIS is backwards, so who knows whats going on exactly!
Sorry for the delay, but I got my letter back from Smith and Wesson. It was shipped from the factory on 2-9-44 and delivered to the US Navy at Norfolk, VA. The pistol is marked US Property but not US Navy. Is that something typical ?
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Yes. Early Navy-shipped Victorys (until mid-1943) were stamped US NAVY, but since ultimately the Army Supply Program took over handling all revolver contracts, including for the Navy, all military-shipped guns were stamped US PROPERTY by the time of yours.
With my pistol having been sent to an East Coast Naval base, as supposed to a West Cost base can I possibly guess my pistol went on a naval ship going to the ETO ?
US Navy Marked Victory Model
Serial number V113466 and still in functional use. One of my home defense guns. What year was it made?
Serial number V113466 and still in functional use. One of my home defense guns. What year was it made?
It likely shipped in 1942.
Thank you for your help
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2016
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 13
US Navy Marked on top strap V166313 ?
Yes, US Navy marked.
DWalt
Member
You cannot assume anything and there is no way to find out what happened to it after it left the factory, beyond to where it was first shipped.
ordnanceguy
Member
Shrek Of The Arctic
Member
- Joined
- May 22, 2019
- Messages
- 342
- Reaction score
- 1,139
I celebrated a Birthday this last week. My son gifted me what appears to be a Smith & Wesson puzzle...errrr...I mean Victory!
I'm not real savvy with these older revolvers, but I've performed my due diligence with a few hours of research, and I'm just not making sense of the serial number and date.
It is a parkerized revolver, smooth grips, 4" bbl. Marked "38 S&W SPECIAL CTG" on the left side of the barrel, "SMITH & WESSON" on the rigjt side of the bbl. It has the patent info on top of the barrel.
The left side of top strap is marked "US PROPERTY GHD"
The SN# is SV 795838 on the butt of gun. The underside of the barrel, cylinder, and inside of the smooth walnut grip bear this number as well.
The side plate bears an "S" mark. The other side of the frame has a "P" at the top of the frame near the cylinder window.
The ejector rod appears to be blued, and there is a tiny dark spot above the grips that look like it may have been blued?
Any thoughts or assistance y'all could lend on the matter would sure be appreciated!
Edited after reading this thread again. It all makes much more sense after a short nap and letting the information soak in a bit. Apparently, it would been later...June...July in 1945? Like...one of the last to go to the miltary?
I'm not real savvy with these older revolvers, but I've performed my due diligence with a few hours of research, and I'm just not making sense of the serial number and date.
It is a parkerized revolver, smooth grips, 4" bbl. Marked "38 S&W SPECIAL CTG" on the left side of the barrel, "SMITH & WESSON" on the rigjt side of the bbl. It has the patent info on top of the barrel.
The left side of top strap is marked "US PROPERTY GHD"
The SN# is SV 795838 on the butt of gun. The underside of the barrel, cylinder, and inside of the smooth walnut grip bear this number as well.
The side plate bears an "S" mark. The other side of the frame has a "P" at the top of the frame near the cylinder window.
The ejector rod appears to be blued, and there is a tiny dark spot above the grips that look like it may have been blued?
Any thoughts or assistance y'all could lend on the matter would sure be appreciated!
Edited after reading this thread again. It all makes much more sense after a short nap and letting the information soak in a bit. Apparently, it would been later...June...July in 1945? Like...one of the last to go to the miltary?
Attachments
Last edited:
ordnanceguy
Member
Hello Shrek:
Yes, your date of shipment would most likely have been in the June-July, 1945 time frame. Not very far from the end of Victory production. Your Victory likely shipped to the US Navy. The blued ejector rod is correct.
From the excellent pics and description you provided it appears to be in excellent condition. Your son has given you a wonderful gift. Enjoy it.
Regards,
Charlie
Yes, your date of shipment would most likely have been in the June-July, 1945 time frame. Not very far from the end of Victory production. Your Victory likely shipped to the US Navy. The blued ejector rod is correct.
From the excellent pics and description you provided it appears to be in excellent condition. Your son has given you a wonderful gift. Enjoy it.
Regards,
Charlie
Nagloc68
Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2020
- Messages
- 34
- Reaction score
- 37
I would appreciate feedback on this Victory
Hi S&W Experts, I have read this entire post and some of the additional links, and have learned a lot. Thanks for the detailed responses. I am considering this Victory to add to my "Aussie Collection" but can't inspect in person and would appreciate any observations. V378957 serial number so I guess late 1943/1944? 38S&W with no indication it was rechambered - I have seen other Aussie versions with clear stamps where rechambered to 38SP. "US Property GHD" on top strap which seems appropriate given serial number. I can't see Flaming Bomb on butt - could it be on top strap? It was FTR in Australia in 1954, and has the broad arrow stamps. I can't find the three "P" proof stamps from the photos. Matching serial numbers. It is import marked by Vega. It also appears to have a heavier-than-normal parkerized finish - is this factory, Aussie FTR, or bubba? Thanks so much.
Hi S&W Experts, I have read this entire post and some of the additional links, and have learned a lot. Thanks for the detailed responses. I am considering this Victory to add to my "Aussie Collection" but can't inspect in person and would appreciate any observations. V378957 serial number so I guess late 1943/1944? 38S&W with no indication it was rechambered - I have seen other Aussie versions with clear stamps where rechambered to 38SP. "US Property GHD" on top strap which seems appropriate given serial number. I can't see Flaming Bomb on butt - could it be on top strap? It was FTR in Australia in 1954, and has the broad arrow stamps. I can't find the three "P" proof stamps from the photos. Matching serial numbers. It is import marked by Vega. It also appears to have a heavier-than-normal parkerized finish - is this factory, Aussie FTR, or bubba? Thanks so much.
ordnanceguy
Member
Hello Naglo68:
The Victory you are considering appears to be typical of the large lot of Australian guns that were brought back to the USA in the 1990's.
The flaming bomb (called the "Shell and Flame" insignia by the Ordnance Department) was applied on the left top strap. It sometimes is difficult to detect after a refinish.
The finish is indeed a refinish. The original was Black Magic. The FTR process employed by the Aussies appears to have resulted in most of them getting a new type of finish that is similar to parkerizing, but seems a bit darker, almost charcoal in color. The finish appears to be correct for the Australian FTR process.
The stocks are probably not numbered to the gun based upon the way they fit in the photo you supplied.
I hope that information is helpful to you.
Regards,
Charlie
The Victory you are considering appears to be typical of the large lot of Australian guns that were brought back to the USA in the 1990's.
The flaming bomb (called the "Shell and Flame" insignia by the Ordnance Department) was applied on the left top strap. It sometimes is difficult to detect after a refinish.
The finish is indeed a refinish. The original was Black Magic. The FTR process employed by the Aussies appears to have resulted in most of them getting a new type of finish that is similar to parkerizing, but seems a bit darker, almost charcoal in color. The finish appears to be correct for the Australian FTR process.
The stocks are probably not numbered to the gun based upon the way they fit in the photo you supplied.
I hope that information is helpful to you.
Regards,
Charlie
New to me S&W Victory model.
I received my 5 inch Victory model today in .38 S&W. Left top strap is stamped *UNITED STATES PROPERTY*
On the front of the bottom of the Butt is a very small P a flaming bomb and what looks like a B the long straight portion of the B is parallel to the left side of the grip frame. The serial Number is V127026 and is on the back end of the Cylinder and on the bottom of the barrel between the cylinder pin lock and the frame when the cylinder is open. I do not see any other marking other than the import stamp S&W Crest Made in USA and the standard Barrel marking. Are any other proof marks or acceptance stamps likely to be under the grips?
I received my 5 inch Victory model today in .38 S&W. Left top strap is stamped *UNITED STATES PROPERTY*
On the front of the bottom of the Butt is a very small P a flaming bomb and what looks like a B the long straight portion of the B is parallel to the left side of the grip frame. The serial Number is V127026 and is on the back end of the Cylinder and on the bottom of the barrel between the cylinder pin lock and the frame when the cylinder is open. I do not see any other marking other than the import stamp S&W Crest Made in USA and the standard Barrel marking. Are any other proof marks or acceptance stamps likely to be under the grips?
