Victory data base

[27 Man]

A friend and I just purchased a couple of 5" Victory models in .38 S&W. Serial numbers are V6027xx and V4577xx. Both have VEGA SAC CA above the triggers. One has FTR/MA54 on it and L 26. Can anyone tell me if these are British, Canadian or New Zealand as well as shipment dates? We haven't picked them up yet so I am operating from my fading memory. Thanks.

 

[scha]

Most of the "FTR" marked Victory models that I have seen are Australian. VEGA SAC, CA was the importer of lots of these in the 1980s. Most of these were refinished when they are rebuilt. The FTR54 stands for factory repair in 1954 by a government arsenal.

Hope this helps.

Steve

Steve

 

[2LtCal]

Brit Victory for the Data Base

Here is a K-200 Victory that was converted to 38 Spl and barrel cut to 4" with ramp sight added.
Serial # V647710
BNP proofs on cylinder, frame left side in front of cylinder, barrel at frame.
Proof on underside of barrel
.38" SPECIAL 1.150"
4 TONS PER "
Cylinder has what appears to be sleeves in each chamber and will not chamber a 38 s&w casing(only 38spl)
Grips are checkered diamond with arched base, no ser# on inside of grip.
Front sight ramp is marked Parker-Hale England.

 

[LOBO]

The letters on my US Navy Victory, and my Pre-Victory 6" have arrived.....

 

[gamblelane]

5 S&W Victorys

I just found the receipt for 5 S&W Victorys I purchased brand new for $60 apiece-In 1976! All except one were sold to friends. The one I kept was the only one without a V infront of the ser#988917 and no markings on the top.Never paid attention to the others but think they had US property on the top.I don't think these were ever issued.Why is mine unmarked?

 

[Goony]

I just found the receipt for 5 S&W Victorys I purchased brand new for $60 apiece-In 1976! All except one were sold to friends. The one I kept was the only one without a V infront of the ser#988917 and no markings on the top.Never paid attention to the others but think they had US property on the top.I don't think these were ever issued.Why is mine unmarked?

First off, welcome to the forum.

Are we talking about 5" in .38 S&W or 4" in .38 Special? Serial number 988917 would have likely shipped in early 1942, and would be generally regarded as a "pre-Victory." That late, it may have gone out with the Victory-type phosphate finish and plain stocks (how about posting a photo?) The lack of a military property mark suggests that it likely went to a civilian customer, or possibly to the Merchant Marine. Very much worth lettering.

 

[oberon]

I have a 4" Victory .38 special that I bought right a few years ago. It is a little beat up, but not as bad as some.
The sn is 603xxx, and has a 'V' to the left of the #, to the front of the butt, ahead of the lanyard loop. The topstrap has the 'flaming bomb', US PROPERTY, and G.H.D. along the left side. The finish is a greyish, greenish, park-looking thing, maybe MnP04.
It is a solid gun and is one of my best shooters. It has a typically sweet S&W trigger.
Is this information useful for the database?
I saw this thread once way back and then didn't see it for a while.
I'm thinkin' this is a good and useful thread.

 

[gamblelane]

It is a 4" 38spl Unfortunately I don't know how to do the picture thing. Has plain walnut grips and a lanyard ring.

 

[EdwardM]

Update: letter received

As a followup to my post above (#29) I obtained a letter on my Victory.

As Goony surmised the revolver was shipped in 1942 (July 11th to be exact). It was delivered to the US Navy in Norfolk, VA.

Thing is, there are absolutely no markings on the piece to indicate it was a Navy gun; were those markings added after the gun was received or were they applied by S&W? The gun shipped with a butt swivel but the hole has been filled in - and rather well, I might add.

Might this have been bought as a personal weapon by someone in the Navy?

I would like to obtain the correct grips for the gun; is an ad in the "Want to buy" section of this forum the best source?

Thank you.

Ned

 

[ordnanceguy]

Thing is, there are absolutely no markings on the piece to indicate it was a Navy gun; were those markings added after the gun was received or were they applied by S&W?
Might this have been bought as a personal weapon by someone in the Navy?

I would like to obtain the correct grips for the gun; is an ad in the "Want to buy" section of this forum the best source?

Hi Ned:

Thanks for posting the follow up info with the factory letter data on your Victory. That helps us to improve the Database.

Congrats on learning that your unmarked Victory was a Navy shipment. That must have been a very nice surprise for you. Lots of guys wonder about the utility and value of a factory letter. Your experience is one that shows that, in many instances, a factory letter nicely fills in the blanks and increases the value of the gun.

Not all Navy shipped guns were marked US Navy on the left top strap. Unless your gun has had the marking removed (no indication from your earlier post about that) then you simply have one of the guns that did not get the marking. No big significance to that, in my opinion, just another variation that is of interest to Victory collectors. If marked the left top strap would have been roll marked at the factory and not later on.

The gun could have been purchased by anyone, Navy veteran or otherwise. No way to know that now.

The proper stocks are smooth walnut. Yes, a post in the Classified section here may well yield good results for you.

 

[EdwardM]

Mr. Flick:

Thanks for the reply.

It does not appear that any markings were removed.

Ned

 

[bamalefty]

Guys…..I’m a first-time poster, so be gentle! I have started a little Smith revolver collection, and I would like to add a Victory. I found one for sale (see attached photo) that does not have the usual military markings. I understand that may mean it was used in civil service like the post office or factory security or some such. My question is regarding the grips. The seller indicates there are no numbers on them….does that mean they are not original or maybe not even made by Smith and Wesson? Thanks!!!

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[Goony]

Guys…..I’m a first-time poster, so be gentle! I have started a little Smith revolver collection, and I would like to add a Victory. I found one for sale (see attached photo) that does not have the usual military markings. I understand that may mean it was used in civil service like the post office or factory security or some such. My question is regarding the grips. The seller indicates there are no numbers on them….does that mean they are not original or maybe not even made by Smith and Wesson? Thanks!!!

First off, Welcome to the forum.

Some Victory's sans military markings were still shipped to the Navy nonetheless. A letter is a necessity to know something of your revolver's history.

As to the stocks (grips) - sellers can be wrong on the numbering issue, many don't realize that the number is stamped only on the inside of the right panel. If the stocks are truly unnumbered, they may well be replacements as distributed to armorers and depots. If the gun turns out to have been in fact in military service, such replacement stocks may have been fitted a long time back. However, these stocks were available as surplus well into the 1980's, so could have also been put on relatively recently.

 

[bamalefty]

First off, Welcome to the forum.

Some Victory's sans military markings were still shipped to the Navy nonetheless. A letter is a necessity to know something of your revolver's history.

As to the stocks (grips) - sellers can be wrong on the numbering issue, many don't realize that the number is stamped only on the inside of the right panel. If the stocks are truly unnumbered, they may well be replacements as distributed to armorers and depots. If the gun turns out to have been in fact in military service, such replacement stocks may have been fitted a long time back. However, these stocks were available as surplus well into the 1980's, so could have also been put on relatively recently.

Thanks......I had the seller take off the stocks and look....no markings. So, these stocks are not original, but are appropriate for a Victory model, right?

 

[Goony]

Thanks......I had the seller take off the stocks and look....no markings. So, these stocks are not original, but are appropriate for a Victory model, right?

Yes, that would be my point of view on the matter.

 

[bamalefty]

Yes, that would be my point of view on the matter.

Thanks! I appreciate your insight

 

[David Sandlin]

I have a US marked pistol GHD ser No is V 568846 on the barral and the butt. on the cylinder it has P V 568846. Then you open the Cylinder it has N 21953 in two places. It is marked 38S&W .barral it has feb 6, 06. Sept 14, 09. Dec 29,14. That is all the marking that I can see. Any inflo on it. Thanks for the help.
David

 

[Goony]

First off, welcome to the forum.

You evidently have a Victory model that most likely shipped in 1944. If it is chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge (as I interpret your description), then it probably has a 5" barrel and was thus made to the British Commonwealth specification. Posting a photo would allow folks here to give a really definitive evaluation of your gun.

 

[rsalaud]

OK guys, another 1st timer. I got a hold of a beautiful Victory from my grandfather (who is awesome). Not sure where he got it but I am thinking about getting a certificate for it. Thought it was an old police surplus he picked up for a dime, but then did some research and I see now it's a Victory. I have fallen madly in love with the its balance.

Here are the specs: SN: V489229 (bomb ordnance next to SN on butt, lanyard ring), 4" bbl, .38 S&W Special CTG on bbl, all SN's match, chamber also includes an S along w/ the SN, P stamp on left side of gun in upper rear corner. I believe it's Parkerized, and there are a few rust damage spots. There are no Navy/Army/US property stamps. It still shoots .38 spl rounds like a champ.

Would anybody have a firm handle on the production year or provenance? My guess is late 1943. Thanks for any info. Will post pics soon.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Hello rsalaud:

Welcome to the Forum.

Your Victory, based on the info in the Victory Model Database which LWCmdr45 and I administer, likely shipped from the factory in the December, 1943 to January, 1944 time frame.

Two questions: Are the stocks of the smooth walnut type with matching serial number inside the right stock panel? Is there a "W" marking on the bottom of the butt?

I hope that info is helpful to you.