Victory data base

[ordnanceguy]

Does anyone have the number of Victories are in the data base to date? Very interesting information.

I don't have the Database open at the moment to give you an exact number, but last time I looked it was in the thousands. This has been a multi-year, long term ongoing study.

Thanks again to all of the many collectors and shooters who have generously provided their data, on a confidential basis, for the betterment of the Database and, ultimately, for the benefit of all admirers of the pre-Victory and Victory guns.

 

[Oscarflytyer]

Another Victory for the dB

Victory for the dB. Serial is V288880. All matching, including grips/under bbl/cyl face. grooved trigger; hammer/trigger case hardened. 5" bbl marked 38 S&W Ctg. Left side is stamped with 38 Special. Cylinder has been bored for 38 SPC (done well, doesn't split case necks/fired case looks like a mini 38-40!). Top Strap has bomb/is marked US Property GHD. W on the grip frame under grips. No Brit proof marks/no import marks. Prob 85%++, considering a war gun.

Info is appreicated. Thanx

Also, is the dB accessible/searchable? I looked for it, and have been unable to find it.

 

[Absalom]

Victory for the dB. Serial is V288880. ..... Left side is stamped with 38 Special. Cylinder has been bored for 38 SPC (done well, doesn't split case necks/fired case looks like a mini 38-40!). Top Strap has bomb/is marked US Property GHD. W on the grip frame under grips. No Brit proof marks/no import marks. .....

You have a standard Lend-Lease British Service model from mid-1943.

The absence of British post-war commercial proofs indicates that it somehow made its way out of British or other Commonwealth service and back here through channels other than being regularly surplused out in Britain.

The CAL .38 SPECIAL marking on the left frame is not seen often on converted guns, and assumed to be the peculiarity of one particular converter, although we don't know who. It does indicate that however your gun got back here, it entered the commercial surplus trade at some point.

Most of these came back before 1968, so no import marks are usually found.

 

[DW51]

Is this how I post a question about my Victory model? If so I would like any information on serial number V467813. The back strap is stamped B.P.D. 201-V.

Thanks

 

[Muley Gil]

Is this how I post a question about my Victory model? If so I would like any information on serial number V467813. The back strap is stamped B.P.D. 201-V.

Thanks

Welcome to the Forum.

I would do a new post in the section, 1896-1961.

 

[Absalom]

Is this how I post a question about my Victory model? If so I would like any information on serial number V467813. The back strap is stamped B.P.D. 201-V.

Thanks

The gun is from very late 1943.

A number of large police departments got some Victorys during the war, but few marked them.

Boston PD is known to have used the B.P.D. marking on the backstrap of their issue revolvers in general, so that could be a suspect. As Muley suggests, a separate thread with good photos of the marking might get someone to recognize the style of marking.

 

[Oscarflytyer]

You have a standard Lend-Lease British Service model from mid-1943.

The absence of British post-war commercial proofs indicates that it somehow made its way out of British or other Commonwealth service and back here through channels other than being regularly surplused out in Britain.

The CAL .38 SPECIAL marking on the left frame is not seen often on converted guns, and assumed to be the peculiarity of one particular converter, although we don't know who. It does indicate that however your gun got back here, it entered the commercial surplus trade at some point.

Most of these came back before 1968, so no import marks are usually found.

Thanx Ab! basically as I expected. fired cases look interesting (think mini-38-40). But they aren't splitting the case mouth, so I am ok.

 

[opoefc]

For the database: An upcoming Kansas gun auction has the following Victory Models (1) V6583 "USN' 4 in. 38Spl (2) V59864 4 in 38 Spl, & (3) V623007 4 in, 38 Spl. Ed.

 

[chiefdave]

I just picked up this Victory. Well, almost. Colorado is running at 7 days for a background check so I paid and left it, hence the quick pics.

Its marked US Navy on the topstrap.

The nice diamond magnas are a plus. I’ll swap them out when it I get it home.

V63138, which is fairly close to yours, shipped to the USN in Oakland 7/15/42. You got yourself a nice example.

What is a Zoomie doing with a Navy revolver? Give it back.

 

[Inforno]

Hey all! Picked up a Smith and Wesson Pre-Victory a few months ago and just wanted to submit it to the database. Ser. #987592. Shipped to Hyde Windlass Co. Bath, Maine on May 18th, 1942. Imgur link included with pictures of it with letter. Hope someone finds this interesting. Smith and Wesson Pre Victory - Album on Imgur

 

[Absalom]

Hey all! Picked up a Smith and Wesson Pre-Victory a few months ago and just wanted to submit it to the database. Ser. #987592. Shipped to Hyde Windlass Co. Bath, Maine on May 18th, 1942.

Thanks for posting this, and the excellent photos.

That is a nice one, and in excellent shape. Some holster wear along the sides of the muzzle and a few scratches show that it was carried a bit, probably by a guard, but otherwise it seems to have survived quite comfortably.

 

[Inforno]

Thanks for posting this, and the excellent photos.

That is a nice one, and in excellent shape. Some holster wear along the sides of the muzzle and a few scratches show that it was carried a bit, probably by a guard, but otherwise it seems to have survived quite comfortably.

Not a problem! Thought I would make an account and post it since someone is trying to keep the records of these alive and intact. Thanks for the compliments on it. I luckily got the gun for around $300 about 3 months ago.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Hello Inforno:

I agree with Absalom. That is an excellent letter for an excellent pre-Victory.

Thank you for providing the information for the Victory Model Database.

 

[Inforno]

Do certain factories or police departments make a S&W Victory (or Pre victory) more or less collectable? Since my gun was issued to the factory that produced the most destroyers for the USN, it must have been big but I am not sure if it makes it more or less desirable to certain groups who might collect these. I know guns marked USN can bring more of a premium when it comes to firearms.

 

[ferndog6]

I have a odd Victory Model s/n V 361784, 38 Special, 4"barrel, lanyard ring. the same number is on the butt, barrel and cylinder. The cylinder also has a letter S on it. Parkerized finish NO military markings anywhere, just the usual S&W factory markings.

 

[DWalt]

I have a odd Victory Model s/n V 361784, 38 Special, 4"barrel, lanyard ring. the same number is on the butt, barrel and cylinder. The cylinder also has a letter S on it. Parkerized finish NO military markings anywhere, just the usual S&W factory markings.

What is odd about it? What you describe seems to be a typical Victory model which likely shipped around March 1943. Without a property stamp on the topstrap it would probably be what's termed a Defense Supplies Corporation (DSC) Victory which was destined for stateside use by either civilian law enforcement or defense plant guards. However there are other more remote possibilities. You would need to order a historical letter ($100) to find out where it was shipped.

 

[JT3357]

I just picked a Victory. 4" barrel, S/N: V152560. It has the U.S. NAVY marking on the left side of the top strap. No other proof or inspection marks that I see. It has some surface rust from improper storage in a leather holster. I think it will clean up ok. Bore and chambers are minty. It has the original grips, but is missing the butt swivel. Anyone has a good source for the swivel besides ebay?

 

[Doc Thornton]

Have # V54764 with lanyard ring, D>D FTR M/55 stamps.
United States Property (no GHD) has letters WE(?)
on the flat of the butt on opposite side of lanyard ring
along with a small "p" and ordinance bomb,
matching numbers, smooth wood grips, in 38 S&W.

VEGA SAC CA. import mark

Any info or opinions are welcome and appreciated

 

[Absalom]

I just picked a Victory. 4" barrel, S/N: V152560. It has the U.S. NAVY marking on the left side of the top strap.....It has the original grips, but is missing the butt swivel. Anyone has a good source for the swivel besides ebay?

You can get one from Numrich:

Search | Numrich Gun Parts

 

[Absalom]

Have # V54764 with lanyard ring, D>D FTR M/55 stamps.
United States Property (no GHD) has letters WE(?)
on the flat of the butt on opposite side of lanyard ring
along with a small "p" and ordinance bomb,
matching numbers, smooth wood grips, in 38 S&W.

VEGA SAC CA. import mark

Any info or opinions are welcome and appreciated

You have a mid-1942 Lend-Lease Victory that was refurbished in 1955 in Australia. Vega Arms in Sacramento imported these in the late 1980s.

Instead of the later GHD, it still has Waldemar Broberg‘s WB on the butt. The P and bomb are standard US ordnance marks.

The FTR (Factory Thorough Repair) was done at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory in New South Wales, which functions as a sort of government arsenal for the Australian military. MA is their code. D^D stands for Defence Dept. The gun should have received a refinish at Lithgow; it‘s duller and usually darker than the original Victory finish.