V serial number 38

[Texas Star]

Jack-

Of course, I meant to say gray guns. Brown stocks. Should have made the sentence more clear, but I thought the meaning was obvious. I should have caught that on proofreading.

I do feel that more than five-inch barrels were accepted by British and other nations after 1940, but have no exact details or proof. I've seen photos of six-inch barrels in use by Canadians, an Australian, and a group of RAF pilots. We had a good account here of a South African pilot seconded to RAF who kept his six-inch gun after the war. And I read a book by a Canadian officer who had a six-inch and one by a Briton. Alas, the last was captured and had to drop the gun without Germans who were searching POW's catching him with it.

 

[gmborkovic]

This model of S&W is becoming more popular, as the period commercial guns soar. The Victory is affordable. they are a M&P and shoot like bandits.

 

[JP@AK]

I do feel that more than five-inch barrels were accepted by British and other nations after 1940, but have no exact details or proof.

I don't think there is any doubt at all about that. It is an established fact that some 6" guns went to SA and other places.

All I was pointing out was that October, 1940, seems to be the date that the UK expressed its desire to standardize barrel length at 5".

 

[Absalom]

We don’t actually have to rely on somewhat dated secondary sources these days, since we have the primary documents confirming Jack’s outline available now.

I don’t know whether British procurement bureaucrats were so polite as to “express a desire to standardize” on the 5” barrel.

I think they simply placed orders for that barrel length. Remember that in 1940/41 the British government was a paying customer for S&W; it wasn’t like S&W were doing them favors.

The attached summary of orders from Pate shows when the 5” barrel became standard. As we can extrapolate from research on Pate’s Colt data, these numbers represent guns ordered, not guns shipped.

 

[Sodapop69]

Brought 'er home this past weekend. Waiting to buy period correct grips but put these MOP's on for the time being. Now I have to wait for all the weather in the Gulf & front hovering over the Tx Coastal bend to shoot it.

 

[murphydog]

Cool gun and the front sight blade is original.

And, you are the model of patience to have waited 2-3 months to get it . Enjoy!

 

[chiefdave]

Brought 'er home this past weekend. Waiting to buy period correct grips but put these MOP's on for the time being. Now I have to wait for all the weather in the Gulf & front hovering over the Tx Coastal bend to shoot it.

The good news is that your front sight appears unaltered. The bad news is that the punishment for putting those grips on a Victory is 50 lashes with the cat-o-nine tails.

 

[murphydog]

The good news is that your front sight appears unaltered. The bad news is that the punishment for putting those grips on a Victory is 50 lashes with the cat-o-nine tails.

Bread and water for a week works too.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I don’t think the sight has been modified, though the background in the picture makes it look like it has.

Grips aside, that looks to be a pretty decent Victory Model and would easily go for $500 around here.

Agreed. There's a little spot on the marble countertop that looks like it's part of the sight. As others have said, the stocks are not original. Less than $500 around here, if in good operating condition . . .

 

[chiefdave]

In the spirit of inter-service cooperation and as a thank you to the 3 forum members who sent me items at no charge I would like to offer you a set of grips. These are not the best or worst of my spares but I think they match the condition of your revolver. If you letter it don't be surprised if it comes back Navy, I have 4 marked as yours and both that I lettered so far came back Navy.

Just PM your address to me if you want the grips.

 

[shouldazagged]

You're a good man, chiefdave.

 

[Sodapop69]

PM sent...a million Thanks.
Robert

 

[Sodapop69]

Many thanks to chiefdave, now the Victory model has her correct grips.

 

[ABPOS]

I am completely and utterly jealous. Last victory I saw was 1200 or 1400. Can't quite remember which. Yes it had the correct stocks and looked in good condition. But 200 bucks? Duuuuuuuuuuude.

 

[chiefdave]

I am completely and utterly jealous. Last victory I saw was 1200 or 1400. Can't quite remember which. Yes it had the correct stocks and looked in good condition. But 200 bucks? Duuuuuuuuuuude.

Must have been some kind of Victory for that kind of money. The most I've paid was under $700 for a possibly unfired Maritime Commission that included a holster and lanyard and just under $1,000 for a red letter double stamp.

 

[Sodapop69]

ADMIN, seems I cannot post/start a new thread? I have been able to in the past. Can I get some help?
Thank you
Robert

 

[unibass]

38 Special Model #7858 & Serial Number V164341

Greetings,

My name is Michael I have come into possession of the above and I was curious if there was any info I could get about the date and value of it?

 

[murphydog]

Greetings,

My name is Michael I have come into possession of the above and I was curious if there was any info I could get about the date and value of it?

Welcome! It is a Victory Model as noted above, but with an aftermarket nickel finish. I think it dates to late 1942 and its value is that of a shooting, not collector, gun - perhaps $350 or so.

 

[Absalom]

...
I was curious if there was any info I could get about the date and value of it?

Below a picture of how it would have looked originally, complete with lanyard swivel; the hole on yours should be visible as a plug flush with the butt.

The nickel plating was quite nicely done. Imitation plastic grips were popular and widely available in the 1950s/60s when your gun was probably redone; these old military clunkers weren’t viewed as historic collectibles back then and could be had for cheap.

 

[DWalt]

Just a hint, but it is always better if you start a new thread rather than tagging onto a thread about another gun. Yours is also a Victory, but it didn't come from the factory that way. They were not plated, and they would have smooth wood grips. V164341 would probably have shipped in the late 1942 to early 1943 period. As previously noted, the refinishing and replacement grips have destroyed any collectible value. As such, I wouldn't pay near $350 for it - maybe a lot closer to $250 (or less) as a shooter.