Here is V431996. Anyone know about these "United States Defense Supply Corporation Contract guns?
I have a 4" barrel Victory with Serial # V5094XX in .38 Special. I is marked with the "V" and an ordinance mark to the left of the lanyard. It has checkered grips that have no markings on the inside.
Can anyone help me with dating this gun?
I am also assuming that since it does not say "US Property" that it probably spent its early life guarding a war plant or military facility. Is that a fair assumption?
Here are the details of my S&W Victory for the data base. Serial# V358522, all numbers match including inside right grip. Left top strap marked "U.S. PROPERTY G.H.D." Barrel is 4". I am curious to know if all the Victory models had a lanyard ring? Mine does not. There is not even a hole in the frame butt! Just the V serial number. Any idea on the date for this serial number? Thanks, Skip48.
I would think this one shipped in 1943. Mine is #V524756 & it lettered as shipping 2/1/44.The stocks (grips) sound like they are most likely replacements. Posting a photo would help in determining just what they are, though.
Your revolver most likely shipped around mid-1944.
Not necessarily. Such a non-martially marked Victory model could well have been procured by the United States Maritime Commission, and thus maybe have gone to sea on a merchant vessel.
Thanks for the info, Goony. I just held the serial number area of the butt under a bright light. I can faintly see the area where the swivel hole has been filled in. It is not noticeable at all unless looking under bright light. No grind marks or discoloration to the finish, etc. With the grips removed, I just noticed the swivel pin is still in the frame. Do you think the "fill-in" was done at the factory, or by an Army armorer? Skip48
I would think this one shipped in 1943. Mine is #V524756 & it lettered as shipping 2/1/44.
V Model Ser. # V 274516 Frame and cylinder numbers match. The barrel is marked US S. W. Special Ctg and the top strap is marked US PROPERTY GHD. The grips are not numbered and the lanyard ring looks like a replacement. Pretty much standard stuff. My Dad died in 1970 and my sister had the gun until recently and swears he told her he carried the revolver in the Pacific in WWII. He was in the Phillipines and on Guadacanal and Leyte. I doubt her story because when I was growing up I don't remember seeing it. I left home in 1963.
I think that my posting above may have been overlooked with all of the other posts that came immediately after. Would someone be so kind as to offer information as to the possible ship date? If I may provide additional information for the database, I would be happy to do so.
You had said in your original post that it was a "late" Victory, and I think that's accurate. It may have shipped as late as early 1945, but as I had noted in a precious post (#93), such estimates are often inaccurate. Only a factory letter will settle the matter.
The numbers on the crane and in the frame recess exposed when you swing out the cylinder were used to match up components during assembly, and have no significance beyond that, nor any relation to the serial number.
The stocks should be numbered (stamped inside the right side panel) to match the numerical component of the serial number. If not, they may either be reproductions or armorer's replacements.
Thank you, sir, for the information. The amount of knowledge here is incredible. I've ordered a copy of The Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson and look forward to learning about the variations that make collecting these firearms so rewarding.
Cheers,
BuffDriver
Buff, be careful, The Standard Catalog is considered by some authorities as the gateway drug to full blown SW addiction. Welcome to the forum.