Victory data base

[Absalom]

Tell us more about the one pictured, please.

Umm.... actually, that just a photo I lifted off the web for illustration purposes .
Given the rarity and the prices asked and paid for a REAL 2" Victory these days, I'm not sure I'll be in a position to post pictures of my own any time soon.

 

[DWalt]

Authentic Victory snubbies are like finding hen's teeth. Chopped Victory snubbies are sort of like finding sand in the Sahara. From the low SN of yours, and also because none of the originals left S&W nickel plated, it's extremely likely yours is one of the latter.

 

[kwill1911]

Umm.... actually, that just a photo I lifted off the web for illustration purposes .
Given the rarity and the prices asked and paid for a REAL 2" Victory these days, I'm not sure I'll be in a position to post pictures of my own any time soon.

Same here.

 

[Absalom]

Same here.

I did, however, finally find a British Service Model, all original, all numbers matching, no converted cylinder, no importer marks, with only Birmingham proofs. These seem almost as rare as a 2" Victory, although fortunately nowhere near as pricey.

Hurrah for small Victory victories!

 

[Missouri Raider]

Hi, is the Victory data base still available? I have one that I would like to check. Steve

 

[Missouri Raider]

Here is my serial V502231, has US Property GHD on top strap. Steve

 

[DWalt]

V502231 would likely have shipped in early 1944. You did not give a caliber or barrel length. If stamped on the barrel as .38 S&W CTG it would have been the British .38/200 version, and should have a 5" barrel. In .38 S&W Special, it would have been the U. S. military version (probably Navy) and with a 4" barrel.

 

[Missouri Raider]

Sorry for not giving that info, caliber is 38 S&W CTG, barrel length is 5 inches

 

[CarolinaRetired]

Info on a S&W model 10 V series

I have a model 10 V series I would like any available details about:

S#V2512 4" blued. Plugged strap
Left side barrel stamped: Smith & Wesson
Right side barrel stamped: 38 S&W Special CTC
Top barrel: Smith & Wesson Springfield MA
Patented FEB 6 OU SEPT 14.09 D

Any information as to date of manufactor, issued to, possible value. Thank you

 

[Absalom]

I have a model 10 V series I would like any available details about:

S#V2512 4" blued. Plugged strap
Left side barrel stamped: Smith & Wesson
Right side barrel stamped: 38 S&W Special CTC
Top barrel: Smith & Wesson Springfield MA
Patented FEB 6 OU SEPT 14.09 D

Any information as to date of manufactor, issued to, possible value. Thank you

Yours is a very early V-prefix gun from late spring/early summer 1942. If it has or had a US property stamp on the left side of the topstrap, it likely went to the Navy. If not, it still could have gone to the Navy or to a civilian user like a defense contractor through the Defense Supply Corporation contract. You could find out with a factory letter, but:
If it is blued, it has been refinished, eliminating its collector value. This would fit with the plugged lanyard hole. You do not mention the type of stocks. A refinish could also have removed any topstrap marking.
As for value, a refinished gun would largely be seen only as a shooter, so depending on condition somewhere between 250 and 300 at most.

 

[Absalom]

Sorry for not giving that info, caliber is 38 S&W CTG, barrel length is 5 inches

As DWalt said, that makes it the British version. If you read through the many pages of this thread or use the search function to look for "British Service Revolver", you'll find quite a bit. Many of these have different markings and also were modified after the war. You should check whether a .38 Special round will go all the way into a chamber; a lot were converted. If you post some pictures, that might yield some additional info.

 

[CarolinaRetired]

Model 10 victory

Yours is a very early V-prefix gun from late spring/early summer 1942. If it has or had a US property stamp on the left side of the topstrap, it likely went to the Navy. If not, it still could have gone to the Navy or to a civilian user like a defense contractor through the Defense Supply Corporation contract. You could find out with a factory letter, but:
If it is blued, it has been refinished, eliminating its collector value. This would fit with the plugged lanyard hole. You do not mention the type of stocks. A refinish could also have removed any top strap marking.
As for value, a refinished gun would largely be seen only as a shooter, so depending on condition somewhere between 250 and 300 at most.

Thank you for the info. I can find no markings on the left side top strap. Where can I find a link for owners manuals or video of disassembly/assembly specific to this model with 4 screws on right side? Serach has produced videos only for later models.

 

[johnnyo55]

Here's the info on #V112267, an Aussie which I just happen to be offering for sale. I've edited out the sales stuff, but it's right there in the classifieds if you're interested.

This is one of the 8000 Victory models supplied to the Australian armed forces under the Lend-Lease program. This example retains the original .38 S&W chambering; a .38 Special case will not fit. It appears not to have been fired since it's 1955 FTR (FTR= Factory Thorough Reconditioning) at the Lithgow arsenal.

Serial # V112267 along with W.B./Ordnance bomb stamped on butt denotes manufacture during the 1st half of 1942. S/N's match on frame, barrel, and cylinder, but not grip panels.
"United States Property" stamped on topstrap, D^D along with
FTR/MA 55 and Lithgow inspectors mark on right forward portion of frame around the "Made in U.S.A." legend. Notable is the fact that the added Aussie nomenclature shows bright metal inside the stamps, indicating that this stamping was done after final finish was applied. Trigger, hammer, and lanyard ring show original case colors.

It has always been assumed that these revolvers were rephosphated during FTR, but due to the above I'm not so sure on this example. The color and texture is virtually identical to USN #V16,xxx in my collection.

Very small import mark (Vega Sac Ca) on LH frame under cylinder; bright shiny bore and chambers.

Overall, a very attractive Commonwealth Lend-Lease Victory. The only deficits in the finish are a small scuff on each side of the barrel. Compared with the British examples, which are covered with various postwar proofs and often display signs of the MOD's
"dump 'em in a crate" shipping methods, it's pretty pristine.

 

[LOBO]

V662384 4" .38 special

 

[Absalom]

V662384 4" .38 special
......

Congratulations, nice acquisition. I actually referenced this gun's letter in a post here a few months ago when it first popped up because I'd never seen a S&W OSS letter before. Good to see that the gun ended up with a forum member who can appreciate the significance.

 

[LOBO]

Congratulations, nice acquisition. I actually referenced this gun's letter in a post here a few months ago when it first popped up because I'd never seen a S&W OSS letter before. Good to see that the gun ended up with a forum member who can appreciate the significance.

Thanks. It is a neat revolver. I was surprised to see that even the grips are original to the gun. It also has the nicest action/trigger pull of any Victory model that I have ever tried.

 

[Absalom]

In case you'd like a more precise address where the gun shipped, here is a letter for an OSS Colt that shipped in the same timeframe as your Victory (not my gun). It is the same destination. Colt apparently kept more detailed records.

 

[LOBO]

I appreciate that! Thanks!

 

[BillsCamino]

Adding another Victory serial number to this data base...recent purchase.

V456678 (cool number) 4" .38 special
NO Gov markings

Sadly, was nickel plated and lanyard loop hole filled years ago..both of which I would like to remedy.
Great shooter...perfect timing.

Having trouble identifying the Proof stamping next to the "V".

 

[Absalom]

......
Having trouble identifying the Proof stamping next to the "V".

That appears to be the standard flaming bomb ordnance mark applied to the Victory models, including the civilian-shipped and not US-marked guns. It's in the correct spot, too.

The gun is from late 1943.