Victory Conversion

[SIAD MP]

Picked this up a while back. I believe it to be a conversion done in the 50's on a British 38 S&W. I heard onec surplus guns had this kind of chop job done and then sold as 38 Special. The Brit proof and tonnage marks are still on the underside of the barrel. The serial number has the "V" and the lanyard ring hole has been plugged. I would like to restore it (just for myself). I picked up a new still in the wrap and cosmo barrel from SARCO for 25.00 and have a lanyard ring. It shoots 38 specials like c**p but S&W 38's very well. Any thoughts on this? Is it a conversion or an actual snubby Lend Lease?

 

[scha]

It is definitely a conversion. The original barrel has been cut down and a new front sight created. Original Victory 2 inch revolvers always had the lug under the barrel to support the ejector rod and cylinder. Installing a replacement barrel takes specific tools and is not usually something that can be done successfully in a home shop. Setting the correct barrel cylinder gap and proper forcing cone angles requires special tooling.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[Art Doc]

I doubt it would be financially feasible to restore the gun if you have to pay a smith to do the work. If you have the barrel and are willing to pay the cost I guess it could be done.

 

[SIAD MP]

I have a good smithy just a few miles away to do the barrel work. I would try and park it myself. Nothing to lose, it is just one of those project guns. I have a two year degree in Gunsmithing and worked in a shop for several years. So I can do some not needing speacial tools.

 

[Nicksterdemus]

Trade it in for a Commando.

 

[SIAD MP]

Saweet. Too bad they chopped so many classics

 

[Nicksterdemus]

Two Commandos and two boxes of 25 rnd each ammo for the price of a 2" S&W 38 spl.

 

[Art Doc]

I've told this story several times. About 12 years ago I wandered into a local pawn shop and saw a Navy Victory Model that was refinished and had a bulged barrel. They were asking $100 for it and I told the owner it would be hard to sell a damaged gun. He agreed and asked me what I would give for it (I guess he thought I sounded like I might know what to do with it). I blurted out $60 without really thinking and he grabbed it. Sigh...

So I went on ebay and found a 5" commercial M&P barrel that dated to 1938/39. I bagged it for the opening bid of $5. If I had to pay a smith to do the work it made no sense monetarily so I took a deep breath and clamped the barrel in my bench vise and unscrewed it. Came right off. New one went right on with blade at top dead center and a B/C gap of .006". Lucked out. Whole job took about 40 minutes...35 of which was trying to get that @^!$%#*&^@# barrel pin back in.

I admit this was risky. I could have bent the frame or otherwise ruined the gun. But as you said, I had nothing to lose. Well, maybe $65.

The new barrel looks just fine on the rest of the gun. I don't think anyone would know unless they checked the barrel serial. I may have the only 5" Navy VM in existence. BTW- I also scored a nice old Bianchi leather holster for a 5" K frame on ebay for $5. Try to find one of those. I'd carry this gun any time.

Oh, after the barrel swap it shoots pretty good. Um...ignore that one out at 9 o'clock. Don't even know what happened, there.

 

[Texas Star]

I guess someone should point out that Lee Harvey Oswald used one of the guns like the OP's to kill Dallas officer J.D. Tippett. I think his was nickeled and may have had fake stag stocks. I forget. But it was def . one of the butchered M&P's with no front barrel lug.

I hope that you can restore this gun to original condition. It's a real pity what some surplus dealers did.

 

[DWalt]

"I think his was nickeled and may have had fake stag stocks."

The evidence picture of LHO's revolver indicates it is a plain vanilla chopped barrel .38/200, phosphate finish with standard smooth wood grips. No plating, no plastic grips. See: JFK Files: Oswald?s Mail-Order Revolver Purchase; Critical Allegations Prove False

Ballistic mysteries still surround both the .38/200 and the Carcano rifle, and at this late date, they are virtually certain to remain mysteries. As has been stated many times, had Oswald survived and been tried, there wouldn't have been much more than circumstantial evidence to convict him.

 

[SIAD MP]

I want to restore it even though it wont be original. On the other hand it is a piece of historical what not to do from a time when you could get a gun dropped off right at your door no questions asked

 

[opoefc]

…"…a gun dropped off at your door no questions asked…" Those were definitely the good old days! Kleins Sporting Goods, in Chicago, was the vender of Oswald's guns and they ran large ads in many shooting and sporting magazines in the 50s & 60s selling inexpensive war surplus guns for very little money ( by today's standards of money!) They advertised a Remington Rolling Block 7mm Mexican Army surplus carbine for about $7.95 and for an extra dollar you could get two carbines. Such a Deal!. My Buddy and i merged our pennies and sent of for two carbines. In about a week they arrived at my door via the US Postal Service. They were naked, unwrapped, had my name and address on a sticker stuck on the butt stock and posted stamped there also. BOTH GUNS WERE COCKED AND LOADED just as they had been picked up on some ancient Mexican revolution battlefield by the victors, tossed in some warehouse and eventually bought by the ton for resale by Kleins. The rounds were so corroded in the chambers that I doubt they would have fired if the trigger was pulled. Ed.