Welcome, from one of the relatively rookie followers of this forum. Yes, we're active and very interested to learn about your six...6!!!...Victories. Please post serial numbers and pictures, particularly of any markings on the top strap and/or back strap, if you can. I suspect that one of the experts on this forum - DWalt or Absalom - will get back to you soon.
Victory data base
- Thread starter zonker5
- Start date
OGCA find today
This U.S. Navy marked victory serial numbered V1767xx matches everything except the grips. If you folks have the time would you guestimate a approximate ship date. Thanks
terry
This U.S. Navy marked victory serial numbered V1767xx matches everything except the grips. If you folks have the time would you guestimate a approximate ship date. Thanks
terry
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DWalt
Member
Quiet 1
Member
Whoa, dude. That's rather a harsh criticism of a guy who is an ardent supporter of the S&W Victory.
Could it be that since you are the Assistant Historian of S&W archives you're simply aggravated that his comment may cost your department some revenue? Methinks sour grapes. $75 is a lot for a "letter" which probably won't shed much light on most WWII Victorys.
I, for one, genuinely appreciate DWALT and his contributions to this thread.
.
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codenamedave
Member
I went through the thread again and found these Victorys with higher non-S serial numbers. Interesting that they're both BSRs that have been converted to .22 caliber, the first as a .22 Magnum, the second unspecified as to the type of .22.
Post #151
Post #1361
Have these been discounted as to having genuine non-S serials?
ETA: Found another one, also a BSR.
Post #211
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mharve_2000
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I have a Victory revolver I would like some information on. Serial number is V664689. This is stamped on the butt, underside of the barrel and on the cylinder. Grips are not original and the lanyard ring has been cut off sometime in the past. No US markings. Any information you could provide would be appreciated.
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majspud
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DWalt
Member
It appears to be one of the relatively few Victory-model snubbies made. They are very desirable. Someone has jeweled the hammer on yours, also it has what appear to be postwar fake stag plastic grips (probably Franzite), and those do affect its value negatively. On the upside, the finish appears to be original and correct. These were not used by the military, but were distributed to essential civilian users (police, etc.) during WWII through the Defense Supplies Corporation (DSC). I think that If I had it, I'd find an original hammer and lanyard swivel (the swivel hole has been plugged), and also original smooth wood grips. All are available. These are somewhat difficult to date based upon the SN alone, but it is likely yours shipped sometime in late 1944 or early 1945. I would recommend you get a factory letter ($75).
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mharve_2000
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Thank you DWalt. I have already sent my info for a factory letter. I would like to put it back to a more original look. Where can I look for the parts you mentioned?
EBay is your best bet for Victory parts.
Guy
Guy
DWalt
Member
Yes, eBay is the first place to look, especially for grips and lanyard swivels. But there are numerous other gun part dealers you can find on the internet. SARCO sometimes has Victory parts, or maybe Gun Parts, Inc. (Numrich). Or someone on the forum may have one they would sell you. Hammers are relatively plentiful. The hammer used on Victories is not the same as those used on guns made in 1948 or later, so be sure you get the earlier hammer style. You might well be able to sell the existing hammer on eBay for nearly enough to buy a replacement.
I purchased a Victory today at an auction. Mechanically it is 100% sound and I have no issues firing it, but cosmetically, it is pretty rough.
But I bought it because it was cheap, and it has a very low serial number. It is serial number V2973. Its the lowest number I've ever seen.
I can't really find any military stampings on the gun. Right under the cylinder release, there is a light hand engraving that reads "USG 6566".
The cylinder is stamped with a V and 2973. The back of the ejector star is stamped 2973. So serial number matches there.
The frame is stamped "M 35764"and the crane stamped "35764". So those match as well.
Barrel is stamped V2973 as well. I did notice something weird about the barrel, but maybe it is normal. If I run my finger along the sides, and as much of the bottom as possible, it feels pretty smooth. But along the top, between site and frame, it feels "rippled" slightly. I can almost make out what looks to be a series of flat-ish spots. The bore feels complete smooth though. Maybe some guy used the top of the barrel as a hammer at some point?
Chambered in .38 S&W Special. 4" Barrel. Original swivel has been replaced with some modern aftermarket job. A vintage off a salvage gun is on its way to me.
I heard the first 40,000 were all US Navy guns and serial #'s started with 1. So I assume this was one of those guns?
Anything you can tell me would be appreciated. I'm thinking it's better to leave it with its "character" than try to make it cosmetically pretty.
Do these early numbers sell for any kind of premium? I'm torn between keeping and selling.
But I bought it because it was cheap, and it has a very low serial number. It is serial number V2973. Its the lowest number I've ever seen.
I can't really find any military stampings on the gun. Right under the cylinder release, there is a light hand engraving that reads "USG 6566".
The cylinder is stamped with a V and 2973. The back of the ejector star is stamped 2973. So serial number matches there.
The frame is stamped "M 35764"and the crane stamped "35764". So those match as well.
Barrel is stamped V2973 as well. I did notice something weird about the barrel, but maybe it is normal. If I run my finger along the sides, and as much of the bottom as possible, it feels pretty smooth. But along the top, between site and frame, it feels "rippled" slightly. I can almost make out what looks to be a series of flat-ish spots. The bore feels complete smooth though. Maybe some guy used the top of the barrel as a hammer at some point?
Chambered in .38 S&W Special. 4" Barrel. Original swivel has been replaced with some modern aftermarket job. A vintage off a salvage gun is on its way to me.
I heard the first 40,000 were all US Navy guns and serial #'s started with 1. So I assume this was one of those guns?
Anything you can tell me would be appreciated. I'm thinking it's better to leave it with its "character" than try to make it cosmetically pretty.
Do these early numbers sell for any kind of premium? I'm torn between keeping and selling.
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The more I think about this little gun, the more I think it may be a keeper. My truck looks like a big hunk of junk and is patched together more than anyone will know, but she runs strong. The Millennium Falcon is my favorite sci-fi spaceship because its the "fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy", and "she's got it where it counts".
And this gun looks like its been through the ringer, but it works as smooth as silk and functions perfectly! It clearly has character!
Here she is!
And this gun looks like its been through the ringer, but it works as smooth as silk and functions perfectly! It clearly has character!
Here she is!
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Certainly "rode hard and put up wet", but to us Victory owners/fans, she's gorgeous. Congratulations on a great find! I would not touch it other than to replace the swivel, as you are doing. I'm anxious to read comments from the experts here.
The more I think about this little gun, the more I think it may be a keeper. My truck looks like a big hunk of junk and is patched together more than anyone will know, but she runs strong. The Millennium Falcon is my favorite sci-fi spaceship because its the "fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy", and "she's got it where it counts".
And this gun looks like its been through the ringer, but it works as smooth as silk and functions perfectly! It clearly has character!
Here she is!
Dates from Aug 1942. They're all keepers in my book. I just can't afford to keep em' all!
Most likely Oct/Nov 1944 ship date. That one warrants a letter.
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This one was most likely shipped to the United States Strategic Services (O.S.S.) due to the sideways "W". If it were mine, I'd have it lettered.
Just something to keep in mind regarding condition on these victories ( or most any military issue pistol and to some degree can be applied to most older police guns as well) I can tell you from my military experience guns get exterior wear out of proportion to the few rounds they fire. For example our m9's I carried in Afghanistan and Iraq typically each soldier shot at most 50 rounds in familiarization and a 40 shot qualification and nothing else for the remainder of the deployment unless drawn in anger, which I can think of only a handful of times during two years a pistol was fired. But at the same time they were a constant companion sliding around in holsters on dusty trails and in sandstorms. By the end of my first tour my initially "new" looking beretta could be mistaken for having left the factory as stainless.
Rough outside mint inside is about typical for a military pistol
Rough outside mint inside is about typical for a military pistol
I certainly hope you good folks don't mind but I have one right here in my hands that I picked up years ago and have just recently been doing some research on. s/n: V 748248. Not marked US government. .38 S&W chambered. Top right side of frame (9 o'clock from hammer nose) is a small P. Right side,underneath MADE IN USA is a crown with what looks like a GP (with the P 1/2 way up the G). This mark appears in 3 or 4 places on the revolver. 5-screw; 5" barrel, lanyard, walnut smooth stocks. Round front sight. It looks like there used to be something on the barrel, just ahead of the frame, top right (as sighting down the barrel). Several marks but someone has filed them off. 5-screw, long action, no bar safety. Inside cylinder marked with the same s/n as above.
Been poring over S&W Std Catalog (3rd Ed) and Roy Jinks History of S&W and the lead me to believe the Victory was made only in a 4" barrel. However, the Catalog does say some were sent to RCMP in a 5" barrel.
Any ideas as to what, when, etc.?
Many thanks!
Been poring over S&W Std Catalog (3rd Ed) and Roy Jinks History of S&W and the lead me to believe the Victory was made only in a 4" barrel. However, the Catalog does say some were sent to RCMP in a 5" barrel.
Any ideas as to what, when, etc.?
Many thanks!
