US Property - GHD Victory in 38 Special and 1917

[45ACP38SPL]

I'm new to this forum and to US Military Revolvers, in general. I recently picked up a Victory model at the Tulsa show. It has 99% finish and was unfired. Serial V 260,9xx.

This spring I picked up a 99% finish and unfired 1917 at the Louisville show. Serial 105,6xx on the butt/barrel underside and 777xx inside the crane. I also picked up a WWI G&K/1917 dated holster, web belt with garrison pouches for the 1903 rifle and the 3 pocket moon clip pouch for the pistol.

Both are truely beautiful guns. The 1917 will remain unfired. The Victory has 100 rounds through it now (forgive me...I couldn't help shooting something that felt that good im my hand).

How do I go about finding out more from S&W regarding manufacture dates, shipped to, etc?

 

[45ACP38SPL]

I'm new to this forum and to US Military Revolvers, in general. I recently picked up a Victory model at the Tulsa show. It has 99% finish and was unfired. Serial V 260,9xx.

This spring I picked up a 99% finish and unfired 1917 at the Louisville show. Serial 105,6xx on the butt/barrel underside and 777xx inside the crane. I also picked up a WWI G&K/1917 dated holster, web belt with garrison pouches for the 1903 rifle and the 3 pocket moon clip pouch for the pistol.

Both are truely beautiful guns. The 1917 will remain unfired. The Victory has 100 rounds through it now (forgive me...I couldn't help shooting something that felt that good im my hand).

How do I go about finding out more from S&W regarding manufacture dates, shipped to, etc?

 

[Tom Doniphon]

Congratulations on your new Victory Model and M1917 too.

Your Victory was probably shipped from Smith & Wesson in the early Spring of 1943.

Go to the Smith-Wesson.com website and click on the Customer Service link. You should find some info there on how to obtain a letter for your revolvers.

 

[ordnanceguy]

45ACP:

Welcome to the Forum. You will like it here.

For some years another member here, LWCmdr45, and I have had a Victory Model Database underway. Do a search on the Forum of Victory Models of our member names and you will see some of our earlier posts on the subject.

If you will post here or email one of us the complete serial, the butt and left top strap markings, we can give you a pretty good estimate as to when your Victory left the factory. In some cases we can also tell you where it was probably shipped.

Only a factory letter ($30) can give you that information with certainty, and we encourage everyone to get factory letters on their Victory Models. If you do get one we hope that you will post the information here.

Regards,
Charlie Flick
S&WCA #729
NRA Life

 

[reddogge]

Congratulations on you purchases but how can you tell if a 60+ and a 90 year old revolvers are unfired? Do you have provenance to that effect? Just curious.

 

[mikepriwer]

More than likely, if that 1917 is unfired, its also refinished.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[45ACP38SPL]

Thank you all for the information, your help and your welcome. I will contact S&W for a factory letter...and post what is discovered once received.

As to determine whether a firearm has been fired (or refinished) is not an impossible matter.

I'm sure you would agree that he sharpmess of the lands and grooves...finish wear or cartridge head marks around the firing pin hole...cylinder fouling and wear on the leading edges of the cylinder and cone are primary indicators...along with a decision the gun has not been refinished...with an eye for...

...the crispness of the stamped markings and an appreciation for what original parkerizing or period blueing look like.

Although I am not yet well schooled...I believe there is evidence that many 1917s were transfered to USPS or financial institutions (for security use) and they never saw the light of day.

I have seen many examples of Military Service Rifles that have never had the original cosmoline or paper wrap removed from them.

I said that I was new to S&W revolvers...not new to firearms collecting...or shooting for that matter. Most of my time has been spent with collecting US Service rifles of this century...competing with many of the same rifles I've collected. I am ranked Master over-the-course and High Master long range. US Service Pistols are the focus of late.

 

[opoefc]

Welcome to the Forum - Always nice to have a budding Victory collector join us! I think the Victory Models and pre-Victories are an interesting area of collecting that is now coming into it's own. There are countless variations in where these guns were shipped and used in WW2 and some were still being issued to military and gov't users up to the 1980s. Don't hesitate to ask any questions you desire here on the Forum as there are few of us who probably know more about these guns than anyone would ever want to know! Is your Victory a military or civilian issue gun? If you don't know, tell us all the markings and we will tell you. Also, be aware that there are numerous fakes out here with spurious marks. Don't pay more than shooter prices regardless of what may be inscribed on the gun, without concrete evidence supporting the variation. One of the most notorious fakers was offing his spurious wares (Victories) at Tulsa, as usual. Odds are you didn't buy yours from him, as you didn't mention any inscriptions. I hope it doesn't say "To Elvis, with Love, from Michael Jackson" on the backstrap! Good luck. Ed.