Victory data base

[Wiregrassguy]

triaxle, those stamps on the grip frame are probably fitters marks or inspector stamps.

 

[triaxle]

I just happen to look at the gun with the grips off , and could see them and wanted to add more info .

 

[Absalom]

It also has the same ejector rod but looks blackish blue maybe comparied to the park color of the gun .the hammer and trigger still have the case colors not worn to a silver dull look yet .had this gun maybe 8to 9 yr .

Do keep in mind that the one in Guy’s picture is refinished. On originals, the ejector rod is standard black-blue, the difference to the barrel above it clearly discernible.

 

[triaxle]

My ejector rod is just like , Absalom `s 38

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Here are Triaxle's pictures.

Guy

 

[Absalom]

Here are Triaxle's pictures.

Thanks for getting the pictures up, Guy!

I‘m not putting money on anything, but my opinion favors a very nice overall restoration and refinish, especially since the serial makes it an early-war gun. It could be the light, but the yellowish hue of the parkerizing does not look like the sandblast Black Magic. The grip panels look completely pristine, not even storage dings we usually see on unissued guns. And the lanyard ring is indeed a standard British ring, not the original.

PS: I just looked at your previous posts and you said that all numbers match. Does this include the stocks?

 

[triaxle]

Yes they do , barrel flat, cylinder , all the ones I found did, there are a few dings on the grips nothing major , check out the ejector rod it looks right .I do not see any type tint to the finish . I think the right stock had the numbers , they were on there for a while by the way they looked

 

[triaxle]

I think I had this maybe 9 or 10 years , maybe I should get the other lanyard ring . Thanks for posting .

 

[Absalom]

Yes they do , barrel flat, cylinder , all the ones I found did, there are a few dings on the grips nothing major , check out the ejector rod it looks right .I do not see any type tint to the finish . I think the right stock had the numbers , they were on there for a while by the way they looked

Stock numbers never look good as long as they match. If in normal daylight the gun looks gray-black like the one in the picture I posted, the yellow-green tint in your pictures is just the result of the lighting. Then it just leaves the question how an early gun survived the war looking brand-new but ending up with a British lanyard loop.

 

[triaxle]

I was thinking the same thing , maybe it was removed and some place along the line this one was put on ??? The grips do not look refinished and are not rounded from sanding or any thing . I have a old but nice tan victory 38 shoulder rig dated Boyt MRT 1962 that I hang it in .from time to time .

 

[triaxle]

Wire Grass thanks for the posting the photos ,

 

[Muley Gil]

I think I had this maybe 9 or 10 years , maybe I should get the other lanyard ring . Thanks for posting .

It is possible the British lanyard loop has a larger diameter shank and the butt has had the hole drilled out. Luckily, original lanyard loops are inexpensive, so if it doesn't fit, you could resell it here.

 

[triaxle]

Can you just change the loop ? I will look at this , when I looked at the grips there was a pin folded on a piece of real old brown tape stored under the grips . maybe I should get the right loop or just get the whole stud and loop combo .

 

[Wiregrassguy]

triaxle, go here and buy the butt swivel.

 

[G.A. Rempel]

Good morning,
Another Victory Model for the database, serial number V705505 in .38 S&W. All matching numbers, 5" barrel, also stamped US PROPERTY GHD on top strap. Very good plus condition. Located in Canada. Thanks, Gerry

 

[R61414]

Smith & Wesson Victory Model .38 S&W

I recently purchased a Smith & Wesson Victory Model that can be added to the data base. This is a .38/200 British Service Revolver made for the Lend Lease Program, matching serial numbers #V136764 on the bottom of the gun butt, rear face of cylinder, rear face of yoke and bottom of barrel. I cannot locate a serial number on the backside of the extractor star. The stocks appear to be period correct but the serial number (380298) does not match to this gun.
-Top Left Strap: "United States Property".
-Left Side of barrel: "SMITH & WESSON".
-Left Side of frame: Under cylinder (importer) "VEGA SAC CA.", back strap under grip "V".
-Right Side of barrel: ".38 S&W CTG".
-Right Side of frame:
"D (arrow) D"
"MADE IN U.S.A."
"FTR/MA 53"
"(arrow) underlined "M"?
"23"
"L"
Yoke: "87878"
Frame Inside Yoke: "87878" with a "4" above it.
-Bottom of grip frame: SN "V136764", "WB", "8", small "P".

Barrel is 5" and bore appears to be in "like new" condition. I have confirmed that the cylinder will take .38 S&W cartridges but will NOT accept .38 S&W Special cartridges, so it appears that no one attempted to convert it to .38 S&W Special.

It is my understanding that the markings indicate this gun went to Australia and a "Factory Thorough Repair" was done at the Australian arsenal in 1953. If anyone can provide more information about this gun, like the manufacturing date, confirmation and or corrections of my understanding or other information, I would greatly appreciate your feedback.

 

[Waveski]

Triaxle ,

If I were in your shoes I would not be in a hurry to swap out the lanyard ring assembly , especially if it is of the same vintage as the revolver , albeit British. While it is probably not original to the gun , the replacement you buy will not be either.

Any and all speculation about who installed that ring , and why he did it , will end with the upgrade.

At the very least I would hold out for an original rather than repro. (if such an item is available...?)

That's my $.02. It's your gun.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Good morning,
Another Victory Model for the database, serial number V705505 in .38 S&W. All matching numbers, 5" barrel, also stamped US PROPERTY GHD on top strap. Very good plus condition. Located in Canada. Thanks, Gerry

Thank you, Gerry. This one is now in the Database.

 

[Absalom]

....
It is my understanding that the markings indicate this gun went to Australia and a "Factory Thorough Repair" was done at the Australian arsenal in 1953. If anyone can provide more information about this gun, like the manufacturing date, confirmation and or corrections of my understanding or other information, I would greatly appreciate your feedback.

Thank you, very thorough write-up.

You do indeed have a Lend-Lease Victory that ended up in Australian hands. V 136764 would have most likely originally shipped in later 1942, October or November.

The FTR occurred at Lithgow Small Arms Factory (MA) in 1953. The gun was re-imported to the US by Vega Arms in the late 1980s; these were generally not converted and are found in their original .38 S&W.

I do believe that your gun was re-refinished once more after the FTR. The finish it has now, while actually closer in appearance to the original Victory finish, does not match the texture of the Lithgow job. Also the trigger and hammer appear to have been polished. Finally, your close-up of the FTR markings shows them clearly UNDER the finish; the Lithgow stamps went on top of their finish and always show white through; see my attached example.

 

[ordnanceguy]

It is my understanding that the markings indicate this gun went to Australia and a "Factory Thorough Repair" was done at the Australian arsenal in 1953. If anyone can provide more information about this gun, like the manufacturing date, confirmation and or corrections of my understanding or other information, I would greatly appreciate your feedback.

I think you already have a very good handle on your revolver. It is indeed an Australian example that was brought back to the USA in the 1990s by the importer Vega Arms of Sacramento, CA. From the Database I can estimate for you that your revolver likely shipped from the factory in the October-November, 1942 time frame.

HTH.