Victory data base

[0le]

Pre Victory

Here is a Pre Victory model in .38 S&W, sn 946227.It has commonwealth proofs, I believe, Canadian. The broad arrow inside the C is poorly stamped, though. It sports a 5 inch tube. It too shows honest wear, but it is all matching. Do you know what the WB on the heel stands for?

 

[dlbleak]

picked this pre victory up on one of the local gunboards. serial 7511**.
crossed flags on frame in front of cylinder on left side. there is only an "h" in the flags unlike most i have looked at that have and H,4,B. very small,lightly stamped marks on side of frame towards the rear and above grips,large arrow,what looks like a crown,z4 ans what appears to be an "m",although i know its something else.
does not have all the heavy british proof stamps. will be putting a proper set of stocks on soon.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Do you know what the WB on the heel stands for?

Ole:

Thanks for the information you supplied for the Victory Database. Every bit helps to improve the scope and accuracy of the Database.

The WB marking on the bottom of the grip frame indicates that your revolver was "accepted" by the Ordnance Department. The WB letters are the initials of Col. Waldemar Broberg, who served as the Inspector of Ordnance for the District in which the S&W factory was located.

On your 4 inch .38 Special Victory can you please tell me if there are any markings on the left top strap? My crummy monitor here does not give me the necessary clarity to see if there are any markings there. On your 5 inch gun are there any markings on the top strap? Where is the Canadian Broad Arrow C property marking located on the gun?

 

[0le]

Charlie,
No US Property, or other markings on the left top strap of either revolver. The 'broad arrow inside the C' is on the bottom of the grip frame of the pre Victory, adjacent to the WB mark. It is a poor stamping, only about half there, and difficult to make out. If it were a complete, legible mark, it would have almost overstamped the ordnance flaming bomb.

 

[m-1911]

I just closed a deal on an early Victory Model, serial number V 2983. I will post pics when I get it in a week or so.

 

[LOBO]

Here are mine that you can have for the data base,

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/201500-pre-victory-model.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...y-pre-victory-model-1917-letters-arrived.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/209224-australian-victory-model.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...8-s-w-6-south-african-contract-i-believe.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...-navy-civil-defense-marked-victory-model.html

 

[ordnanceguy]

Here are mine that you can have for the data base.

Thank you, Lobo. Your data will make a valuable contribution to the Victory Model Database.

 

[bec]

Database Victory

Hello,
How can I have information on N° V 605XX.
I can load a 38 special case.
I think a 158 gr SWC can be a good starting bullet?
Cordialement
Bec

 

[EdwardM]

Had not seen this thread before today.

I recently obtained V 43268.

There are very few markings on the gun other than those on the barrel.

On the grip frame there is a V on the left side and a 5 on the right side.

Unfortunately it came with stag grips that don't look too bad but are obviously not original.

Might this be from 1943? {my birth year }

Thank you for your efforts in maintaining this information.

Ned

 

[Waidmann]

dlbleak, sounds like your K-200 got the full treatment at Royal Enfield.

Rightside pics?

 

[Goony]

I recently obtained V 43268.

There are very few markings on the gun other than those on the barrel.

Might this be from 1943?

Ned

That's a pretty early example, most likely shipped in 1942. If it is not "U.S. NAVY" marked, it would be very much worth obtaining a factory letter for it. Some of these went to quite interesting destinations.

 

[EdwardM]

Goony:

Thank you for your reply.

There are no markings so I think I will take your advice and letter the gun.

Ned

 

[dannybot]

Any insight on mine: v464083? I inherited it from my father-in-law, who inherited it from his father-in-law, who was a merchant marine in the war for Gulf oil. I have the original leather holster to go with it, the holster and gun were used as a woods gun for about 50 years, but considering its history is in good shape with 90% bluing and little pitting, but some Holster wear.

One more thing, is it generally considered safe to use +p ammo?

 

[retarmyaviator]

One more thing, is it generally considered safe to use +p ammo?

NO! According to S&W if the firearm was manufactured before 1977 +P ammo was not recommended.

 

[retarmyaviator]

Another serial number for you - SV786640. Probably already in the data base, I gave Charlie Flick the number on another forum a year or so ago. I was issued one identical to this in the mid 80s at Ft. Campbell, wish I had written the serial number down.

 

[zonker5]

One of my Victories for the data base.

SN is V321740 (V is to the left of the lanyard ring, number to the right). Numbers match on the butt, cylinder and barrel.

It came home with an Army officer from the CBI theatre following WWII. It was obtained in a "trade" with an RAF pilot. Been in the sock drawer since 1946.

Has the usual "US Propertry GHD" on the top strap. No proof markings found.

Any idea of DOB and where it was originally shipped?

Thanks.

 

[LWCmdr45]

zonker5,

Thank you for your contribution! Based on information in the database, your revolver would have shipped mid-1943, probably May-June. Since it was acquired from an RAF pilot, may I presume that it is a 5"-barreled example in .38 S&W (NOT .38 Special)? If so, a historical letter will simply show that it shipped to the Hartford Ordnance District in Springfield, Mass.; there would be no records at the S&W factory to show where it was shipped from there.


retarmyaviator,

Yes, Charlie and I have that SN in the database already. Thanx again!

Steve

 

[Goony]

retarmyaviator,

Yes, Charlie and I have that SN in the database already. Thanx again!

Steve

Steve, at V786640, that's really a late gun. There are "SV" prefixed postwar commercial examples with considerably lower numbers. Can you opine on when it may have shipped? After V-E day, even?

One other thing. Lee Jarrett advises that after December 1944, the butt swivels were changed over to a blued finish. I note this gun does have the supposedly superceded casehardened one....

Any insight on mine: v464083? I inherited it from my father-in-law, who inherited it from his father-in-law, who was a merchant marine in the war for Gulf oil.

I'm presuming that your revolver does not have a U.S. property mark on the topstrap and that you haven't gotten a letter for it. I can tell you I have one with a serial number less than 10 off from yours and it lettered to the United States Maritime Commission. Given the known history you cite, I'd have a strong hunch that yours also went to the U.S.M.C.

 

[zonker5]

zonker5,

Since it was acquired from an RAF pilot, may I presume that it is a 5"-barreled example in .38 S&W (NOT .38 Special)?

Sorry I left that out; it is a 5" 38 s&w.

Thanks for the info.

 

[retarmyaviator]

retarmyaviator,

Yes, Charlie and I have that SN in the database already. Thanx again!

Steve

Steve,

You are more than welcome. I should get off my rear and send in for a factory letter on this one.