Serial Number on S&W pre-Victory Model

[beemaze]

Hi all, I have a Smith & Wesson Model of 1905, 4th change pre-Victory model "United States Property" marked, and all correct /matching numbers except for the grips (right panel to be exact). It has the WB, Ordnance Bomb, and P proof on the butt. Australian FTR markings below the "Made in USA" indicating it was part of a Lend-Lease to Australia. Caliber is .38 S&W, properly marked on the matching numbered barrel.

SN is 891xxx.

Questions are:

1) Approximate date of manufacture? I'm thinking late 1941/early 1942.

2) Are these pre-Victory models more or less collectible than the V prefix "Victory" models?

I have tried selling it and one interested buyer decided to pass based solely on the fact that it did not have a V-prefix.

Thank you!

 

[DCWilson]

Please post pics; sounds like a very nice and interesting revolver.

I agree with your likely dating.

The whole wartime contract/lend-lease/Victory collecting thing is a variable field. I certainly don't think a gun from this era is any less collectible because it lacks a V, but I recognize that the V will have a powerful symbolism for some individual collectors. I'm more interested in the Australian connection, because far fewer commonwealth contract revolvers went there than to the British. I might give your gun a value kick for that.

In general, pre-Victory revolvers interest me a little more than the V-prefix revolvers because there are fewer of them.

There will be other opinions, of course.

 

[beemaze]

Here are some pics:

Thank you.

My research also indicates that the grips are of the correct type for this particular serial number even though the right panel is not matching to the gun's serial number.

 

[DCWilson]

That's a really nice specimen.

 

[Ballarat]

The guy who passed on the sale does not know what he has missed. Your is a fine example of a pre V model which is Austrlian martially marked. All correct butt markings apart from the 2 which was probably applied in Australia. The gun has been FTR probably at Lithgow, but that is where the original grips probably got parted from the gun. Look at the case colours on the hammer, she has seen no work. I cannot see in your pics the full FTR markings but was probably done in 1954/55 era. Possibly FTR MA55 or so. plus inspector marks etc.

 

[H Richard]

I can confirm that S/N 83335X shipped Oct. 1941. It is also Australian marked and is in 38 S&W with the 5" barrel.

 

[kimporter]

so what is the value of one of those without the"V" prefix

 

[DCWilson]

so what is the value of one of those without the"V" prefix

To my mind it's not the V that makes the difference; it's the specific variety. A standard British Pre-Victory or Victory might be a $300-500 gun depending on condition, but there might be a premium for an Australian model, or South African, or postwar Austrian Police re-issue, or...

 

[glowe]

Could someone please comment on the parkerized finish on many of these Models and on Victory Models? I see some for sale with blued finish and some for sale with Parkerized finish. Some of these parkerized revolvers look like they are pitted under the finish, but maybe it is just a lesser quality preparation if the gun was to be parkerized??.

How do you tell the difference between factory parkerized and later date refinish without a letter from Roy??

 

[opoefc]

I disagree with the coolgunsite link's reference to "...finally Parkerizing." S&W only Parkerized a very few Victory Models early in production, when they found out the process was patented and a royalty was demanded by the patent holders. S&W then devised their own version of a dull finish which they called sand blast blue and/or midnight black. The refinishes done in Australia, during the FTR processes, are a darker color, not a Parkerized finish. Ed.

 

[beemaze]

Very informative. Thank you!

 

[LOBO]

Very nice Aussie!!

 

[Blitzfike]

A friend just bought a S&W 6 shot with bobbed hammer that was bought sometime around 1940. SN 132731. Any idea what it is? I don't have pictures of it yet.

 

[chiefdave]

#880608 shipped January 1942. About the same as yours but w/o the import mark. Paid under $325 including shipping and transfer fee, but I'm a cheap ***.

 

[mikepriwer]

A friend just bought a S&W 6 shot with bobbed hammer that was bought sometime around 1940. SN 132731. Any idea what it is? I don't have pictures of it yet.

What caiiber ? If its a K-frame, it must be a 32-20, or possibly a much-earlier .38. Don't really have enough information to guess at what this is. Pictures would help.

Mike Priwer

 

[Muley Gil]

A friend just bought a S&W 6 shot with bobbed hammer that was bought sometime around 1940. SN 132731. Any idea what it is? I don't have pictures of it yet.

Welcome to the Forum.

You would do well to start your own thread, as your question has nothing to do with the topic heading.

And as Mike said, we need the caliber and some good, clear pictures.

 

[Blitzfike]

Thanks Muley Gil, As soon as I get more info I will post it.

 

[James m]

Hello

I have a pre victory 38 sw need to know what they r worth

 

[DWalt]

I have a pre victory 38 sw need to know what they r worth

Same advice. Please start a new posting and add more information and pictures of what you have, as you have provided nothing which will establish an ID or provide any indication of its condition.