Victory data base

[mwr1]

Top strap markings

Nothing on the top strap. Could this have been a factory security force gun? There was a defense plant in this area during WWII.

 

[kwill1911]

Kevin, that raises the question of whether an OSS gun is a true martial - gov't property, yes, but perhaps not necessarily military issue, and as you point out, likely unmarked given its potential covert purpose.

Couldn't disagree more but this is probably not the place to argue the point.

 

[Goony]

Nothing on the top strap. Could this have been a factory security force gun? There was a defense plant in this area during WWII.

I think that's another one that may merit a letter.

 

[ordnanceguy]

I'm no expert but I believe this statement to be a little too broad, isn't it? For example, the Victory Models shipped to the OSS have no markings on the top strap, I think, and I've never seen one marked US Army. Hopefully ordnanceguy will come along and correct me.

Regards,
Kevin Williams

Hi Kevin:

I can confirm that the OSS-shipped Victory Models had no left top strap markings.

There were also a number of Navy-shipped Victory Models that had no left top strap markings.

 

[brigham33]

I have 3 "Victories" for your data base - well sort of Victorys anyway. Early one is 6" barrel, blued, 38 S&W, lettered, shipped to the British Purchasing Commission in NY #723566 (no V). Number two is a Navy lettered 38 Special, traditional parkerized, 4" etc. #V184422. The last is another with no V but looks like the standard Lend/Lease 38 S&W with a 5" barrel. However it looks unissued, grips match, and is marked US Propery - serial 995163. I am guessing late production never "lent/Leased".

Finally the photos!

 

[brigham33]

Finally the photos!

Jinks letter arrived on the bottom Victory (995163), Shipped June 10, 1942 to Hartford Ordnance Depot the Eastern Regional Distribution Center for Lend Lease Products. (To repeat, looks unissued, had US property, ordnace bob marks and WB inspection block.)

 

[tjstarduster]

I'm a new member and I would like some info on a Victory Model I have, SN70389 marked U S NAVY. It has no S on the case. How can I tell if it has had the safety conversion. Thanks, TJS

 

[rayb]

another for the data base

Obtained V620698 today:
Serial numbers match barrel, butt cylinder;
38 S&W, not reamed to 38 special;
lots of the crowned B half-N P stamps, 6X cylinder, barrel, frame ;
US Property GHD left side top strap;
doesn't apper to have been fired much if at all;
Knicks, dings, some pits on backstrap, backstrap coating rubbed some, possibly by steel wool to get rid of the rust related to the pitting;
came with pretty nice silver logo diamond stocks stamped 716045 on the right hand stock;
lanyard ring is intact;
grooved (11 if I counted correctly) case hardened trigger, nice colors remain, hammer case colors nice also.
Zero endshake, good timing & lockup.

EDIT added description:
5" BARREL;
has similar markings to those described by ladyT in her post: crossed swords, H in left , P in right, and 3 in bottom openings of the crossed swords.

rayb

 

[ordnanceguy]

Obtained V620698 today.

Thanks, Ray. We will get this one into the Database.

 

[Goony]

I'm a new member and I would like some info on a Victory Model I have, SN70389 marked U S NAVY. It has no S on the case. How can I tell if it has had the safety conversion. Thanks, TJS

First off, welcome to the forum.

I am presuming your serial number is V70389, which is an early Victory that should've shipped in 1942. Those guns that per a 1945 contract were returned by the Navy to Smith & Wesson for incorporation of the new style hammer block typically had an "S" prefix added to the serial number, as well as another smaller "s" stamped at the upper rear corner of the sideplate. If yours has neither of these markings, it should be presumed it never received that upgrade.

How about posting a photo or two of your Victory?

 

[Retzcat]

Grandfathers Service Revolver

My Father was given a S&W when my Grandfather was killed in the line of duty by the police department. Whether is was my Grandfather actual sidearm is still unknown. The S/N is V462885. There are no markings that is was used by the military...
For pictures...
Untitled document

From reading other posts, I'm kind of assuming 1943-44... but most of those you have talked about are military... what about police?

Thanks

 

[Goony]

Welcome to the forum, Retzcat.

Late 1943 or early 1944 would be about right on dating your Victory. If this one was allocated by the Defense Supplies Corporation (and such normally lacked any military markings), it could well have been shipped to your grandfather's agency. A factory letter would be required to establish whether this was the case.

 

[1srelluc]

Hi all....First post.

I picked this US Navy marked S&W Victory Model in .38 Special the other day at a local pawn shop. I gave $300.00 OTD for it.

Serial V181724. It's marked U.S. NAVY on the top-strap. No heel inspector's or side plate markings.

Any info on it as to a rough born on date would be appreciated.

Other than the replacement Magna grips and missing lanyard ring/pin everything else matches on it like it should. It's very tight and the bore is excellent.

I took the Magnas off as soon as I took the pics and they left a very slight shaddow on the left side but it's clean on the right.

I know magnas are not original to the weapon but in my searches I've seen a lot of Victory Models wearing them for some reason. I wonder if when they were surplussed off if the magnas were put on to pretty them up some.

 

[Goony]

Welcome to the forum, 1srelluc. The photos are appreciated.

Your Victory most likely shipped in late 1942 or early 1943. Was the right panel of the magna stocks stamped with a (nonmatching) number? That would to me be indicative of replacement of the plain originals by a previous owner, which does seem to have been fairly common.

 

[1srelluc]

Welcome to the forum, 1srelluc. The photos are appreciated.

Your Victory most likely shipped in late 1942 or early 1943.

Was the right panel of the magna stocks stamped with a (nonmatching) number? That would to me be indicative of replacement of the plain originals by a previous owner, which does seem to have been fairly common.

I figured about the same for the born on date as I found a '43 one that was only 1500 off of mine.

The magna grips were replacements and of course were non-matching. For what they are going for these days they will more than pay for the parts needed to get my Victory up to snuff.

I called Springfield Sporters and they had a complete set of Victory smooth walnut stocks and a lanyard swivel (I simply made a swivel pin from a drill bit) for a very reasonable price.

Springfield Sporters has never disapointed as to the condition of their parts either. Good go-to folks for C&R mil-surps.

Question: I plan on getting a lanyard for my Victory so would the proper one be the cord type with snap or the wire hook?

 

[OldDominion]

I have a Victory given to me by my wifes best friend. Was issued to her father (Navy) in WWII. Ser.# is V716754 .38Spl. Parkerized,some pitting on the top strap and frame, 'bout what I would expect after being exposed to salt water conditions. Bore is shiny and it almost looks unfired.

 

[dt3201]

S&W Victory # S V 308609 (S stands for return to factory for safety upgrade)

 

[Goony]

I have a Victory given to me by my wifes best friend. Was issued to her father (Navy) in WWII. Ser.# is V716754 .38Spl. Parkerized,some pitting on the top strap and frame, 'bout what I would expect after being exposed to salt water conditions. Bore is shiny and it almost looks unfired.

Welcome to the forum. Is your Victory marked "U.S. PROPERTY G.H.D." on the topstrap?

 

[OldDominion]

[/IMG]

Hi Goony, just took a couple of photos. Yes, U.S. Property amd GHD on the top strap. Any idea on the manf. date?

 

[Goony]

Any idea on the manf. date?

Towards the end of wartime production, possibly shipped as late as early 1945.