Victory data base

[JeepRacer]

V646209 would date it from around mid-1944. With no topstrap property markings and in .38 Special (those had 4" barrels) it would very likely be a Defense Supplies Corporation (DSC) revolver, made for wartime use by stateside law enforcement agencies and defense plant guards. It would not have originally been shipped with a blued finish, but rather a phosphate finish, similar to Parkerizing.

Thanks for the information. When you look at the revolver under strong light, it has a very light tint of blue in the color. That was why I assumed it was the "Sandblast blue" that is referred to in the SCSW book.
On another note: does the value of the revolvers with the Military Stamping bring a better resell value than the ones without the stamping?

 

[DWalt]

Thanks for the information. When you look at the revolver under strong light, it has a very light tint of blue in the color. That was why I assumed it was the "Sandblast blue" that is referred to in the SCSW book.
On another note: does the value of the revolvers with the Military Stamping bring a better resell value than the ones without the stamping?

The sandblast bluing ceased about the time the Victory model production started in early 1942. Other than for a few Victory presentation examples which were blued, all of the wartime Victories originally had a phosphate finish. Regarding the property-stamped versions, those stamped "U. S. NAVY" are in the highest demand. However, those unstamped Victories are about as scarce as the Navy-marked specimens, about 74,000 having been made, less than 10% of total production. I can't tell you about comparative selling prices of unstamped Victories vs. those which were military stamped.

 

[JeepRacer]

Thanks for all your help. David

 

[mustang186]

victory data base info

is the data base still up and running? i haqve my grandpas old S&W revolver with civil defense engraved into the side the ser. number is V201006. i would like to know some of its history if possible. thanks

 

[DWalt]

V201006 shipped around early 1943. It probably had no property stampings on the topstrap. If not, it's one of the 73,000 distributed to essential stateside uses, such as police, defense plant guards, and Civil Defense. Does it have anything stamped on the topstrap? It should be chambered in .38 Special, has a 4" barrel, smooth wood stocks, and a phosphate (not blued) finish.

 

[ole fred]

I'll add a couple.

First is V 511035, 4" barrel 38 Special, plain walnut grips. Nothing special. I've had it since 1995 but just noticed it had ISP stamped on the back strap. I assumed that meant Indiana State Police, but then when I just got it out and looked better, I see it says ISPS144, so I don't know what it means. Do you?

The second is V61113, 5" barrel, 38 S&W and checkered walnut grips. I just got this one recently and assumed it was Canadian or Aussie or maybe even British. It has a ground spot on the right side just above the grips. The seller says he's seen some sort of British type marking there. Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[roleicax]

Victory Model # V422440

Hi there, first time post here, don't know this is the right way, please help me out.
I have a 5" S&W Victory in 38 S&W, cylinder,butt plate,under the barrel and grip show the same number, except there are 2nd number on the shroud, I have taking a lot of detail pictures, and hope you gentlemen can help me find out the history of this V model, many thanks

Once again , thank you very much
roleicax

 

[DWalt]

Your .38/200 Victory Model was likely shipped from the S&W factory in September or October 1943. As you may be aware, the Victory model was simply a variant of the pre-war S&W Military and Police (M&P) model revolver. It was made in two calibers, .38 S&W Special and .38 S&W. Those in .38 S&W were often called the ".38/200" British Service Revolver (and sometimes the "K-200") and were made for use by the British Commonwealth military. Yours was a "Lend-Lease" revolver, basically "loaned" to the British during WWII, therefore it has the U. S. PROPERTY topstamp stamping. G.H.D. are the initials of Guy H. Drewry, in charge of the U. S. Army Ordnance District which oversaw government production contracts with S&W. The typical barrel length of the .38/200 is 5". Victory model production (i.e., revolvers having the V serial number prefix) began in early 1942, but the British had been receiving M&P revolvers chambered for the .38 S&W cartridge since early 1940. These are usually referred to as "pre-Victory" models. Victory models had a phosphate finish and smooth wood grips, whereas earlier M&P revolvers had a blued finish and civilian-style checkered wooden grips. .38/200 revolvers were declared surplus by the British after the war, and imported into the U.S. in vast numbers during the 1950s and 1960s. Many were modified to accept .38 S&W Special cartridges by boring the chambers more deeply, as the .38 S&W and .38 S&W Special cartridges are not interchangeable.

Yours has seen considerable use judging from the condition of its finish, but if completely original (with unconverted chambers), it still has some collector value. Do not be tempted to "refinish" yours. A problem with the .38/200 revolvers is ammunition availability, as .38 S&W is not stocked by many dealers, and can be quite expensive when found.

 

[roleicax]

Hi DWalt,
Thank you so much for your information. It is still in .38 S&W, .38 special ammo only go in half way. Except the finish , actually the mechanical side is pretty good, timing is right, lock up tight, no play,I run my finger on it and there are no dings, dents or scractches , do you mind give me a ball park figure of how much is it if I plan to sell this firearm?
Once again thank you very much
roleicax

By the way, as you can see there are two sets of numbers on the revolver, what is the second set of number means ? the #S74764

 

[jonny13sb]

I have V150699 with no top strap markings. It does have a flaming bomb on the butt. Any idea when it was manufactured? I assume this was intended for stateside use. I plan on lettering this one and a few other older Smiths. Thanks, Jon.

 

[DWalt]

Hi DWalt,
Thank you so much for your information. It is still in .38 S&W, .38 special ammo only go in half way. Except the finish , actually the mechanical side is pretty good, timing is right, lock up tight, no play,I run my finger on it and there are no dings, dents or scractches , do you mind give me a ball park figure of how much is it if I plan to sell this firearm?
Once again thank you very much
roleicax

By the way, as you can see there are two sets of numbers on the revolver, what is the second set of number means ? the #S74764

The S 74764 is simply an assembly matching number, and has no significance. It was used to keep fitted parts together during assembly. I'd say about $375-$400 would be a realistic price in a private sale. Those .38/200s in .38 S&W are not as desirable to a shooter due to ammunition availability problems.

 

[DWalt]

I have V150699 with no top strap markings. It does have a flaming bomb on the butt. Any idea when it was manufactured? I assume this was intended for stateside use. I plan on lettering this one and a few other older Smiths. Thanks, Jon.

V150699 would suggest shipment in November 1942. If chambered in .38 Special with no topstrap stamping, chances are it's a DSC revolver used for stateside essential service.

 

[jonny13sb]

Thanks for the information DWalt. And yes, it is chambered for .38 special, Jon.

 

[Ranbac]

Hi fellows-The usual here. I have a Victory Model in 38 S&W which is U. S. Property marked, etc. What appears slightly different is that is supposedly from a New Zealand contract, or group sent by the Brits. To back this up on the top of the back strap just below the rear of the hammer it is marked NZ over 500. Matching serial numbers 926594. Any support, or other info is requested. I am thinking of taking it to Tulsa this weekend and an approx value range would be appreciated as well. It is about a 70% VG piece. TIA. Couple pics below, all ready for the show.

 

[brigham33]

Hello Ranbac and welcome to the Forum.

I would suspect that around $400 plus or minus a few dollars is about the most you would get on GB. Not sure of Tulsa, but suspect with fewer "views" probably a few dollars less. I have not heard of many people collecting Victory commonwealth varieties but they are probably out there. The worn condition brings down its' potential.

Its a fairly rare Victory from what I've seen, but rare does not mean valuable if there is not much demand.

 

[omaharich]

I have the opportunity to purchase this handgun and would like additional info. It is ser# V282307 and has 3 1/2 barrell..checkered hand grip and extremely clean condition. I can purchase the gun for $175..Fair??

 

[elpaso45]

I picked up a Victory model that was on consignment at a local gun store. It's been refinished, with the cylinder having that plum color finish you occasionally see. It's a 4 inch barrel, original front sight, original grips. Markings are: Smith & Wesson on left side of barrel, 38 S & W Special Ctg on right side of barrel (usual markings), U.S. Navy on backstrap left side and under the "Made in U.S.A. on the right side of frame are the markings 1A CO SAC CA. Serial number is V212868, serial number on the cylinder doesn't match V 211483 and an S. I'm wondering if the markings on the right side of the frame may be a unit marking.

 

[ordnanceguy]

...under the "Made in U.S.A. on the right side of frame are the markings 1A CO SAC CA. Serial number is V212868, serial number on the cylinder doesn't match V 211483 and an S. I'm wondering if the markings on the right side of the frame may be a unit marking.

Nope. Not a unit marking. That marking (IA, not 1A) is an importer's marking as required on guns that were imported into the USA after the 1968 Gun Control Act. That marking has been associated with "Import Arms Co.", "InterAmerican Company", "InterAmerican Import Export Company" all of Sacramento, California, and perhaps others. Take your pick.

Hope that helps you.

 

[opoefc]

Pre-Victory Model, serial number 974226, is a duplicate number. 974226 first shipped on Apr. 17, 1942, to Astica Electric Co. 974226 was also shipped on Apr. 27, 1942, to the Tennessee Valley Authority. From my data base & factory letter info. Ed.

 

[Absalom]

Just acquired V 121 432. Numbers matching in all places. Extrapolating from info in this thread, I place it in 1942; correct? It has the ordnance bomb stamp, but no top strap markings, so I'm looking forward to the letter.
It also has an S on the cylinder face, but no place else. Would that be related to the improved hammer block or not?