Victory data base

[Fishbed77]

Hey everyone. I'm new to this forum and a recently picked up a 4" barrel .38 Special Victory, and I'm hoping someone can tell me a little about it. It's in pretty good condition, other than a bit of light pitting under the grips and on the backstrap and some rust on the lanyard ring. The bore is excellent, and it came with a surplus tag indicating "Delta Shipbuilding Company" of New Orleans, though I have no idea what sort of provenance this provides. Serial # is V485855. There are no markings on the top strap. Any help is welcome! I'm including a few photos from the online auction where I purchased it (this revolver is still quite dirty in the photos, but some basic cleaning did wonders).

 

[LOBO]

That gun with the provenance of the tag is so cool!! What year is written on the tag?

 

[KEN L]

Hey everyone. I'm new to this forum and a recently picked up a 4" barrel .38 Special Victory, and I'm hoping someone can tell me a little about it. It's in pretty good condition, other than a bit of light pitting under the grips and on the backstrap and some rust on the lanyard ring. The bore is excellent, and it came with a surplus tag indicating "Delta Shipbuilding Comany" of New Orleans, though I have no idea what sort of provenance this provides. Serial # is V485855. There are no markings on the top strap. Any help is welcome! I'm including a few photos from the online auction where I purchased it (this revolver is still quite dirty in the photos, but some basic cleaning did wonders).

Most likely shipped around Dec 1943.
This is my green with envy emoticon

 

[Absalom]

Hey everyone. I'm new to this forum and a recently picked up a 4" barrel .38 Special Victory, and I'm hoping someone can tell me a little about it. .....The bore is excellent, and it came with a surplus tag indicating "Delta Shipbuilding Comany" of New Orleans, though I have no idea what sort of provenance this provides. Serial # is V485855. There are no markings on the top strap. Any help is welcome!.....

As Ken said, the gun likely shipped in late 1943. The tags tell you what we end up paying good extra money to get a history letter for: It was a gun shipped to the US Maritime Commission which used these mostly to equip the gun lockers of commercial freighters drafted for wartime transport duty and Liberty ships built for that purpose. How and when the Delta Shipbuilding Company acquired the gun, whether directly from the Commission for a ship they built, or from a ship they took over for decommissioning (since the tag says surplus), will be difficult to determine.

Neat find and great provenance! The gun looks all-original and in good shape, too.

 

[Absalom]

This is my S&W Victory Model V 849XX. I have the proper period grips for it. What kind of grips are on it now and the possible value? When was this WWII revolver manufactured?

With a five-digit serial, late summer 1942. The finish seems largely gone. Does it have a US NAVY topstrap stamp? The value of the grips on it depends on whether they're imitation or genuine stag of some sort. not my area of expertise

 

[Absalom]

No, it does not.

Then it's either a gun shipped to a civilian recipient, like a police department or the security department of a defense contractor, through the Defense Supplies Corporation, or (statistically less likely) a Maritime Commission gun like the one above.

 

[Fishbed77]

That gun with the provenance of the tag is so cool!! What year is written on the tag?

It’s not a date at all, but the text “REV-2”. I’ve tried to take some better photos of the tag. I apologize for them being upside down - just took them quickly with my phone and uploaded to Imgur.

Thanks to everyone for your feedback!

 

[DWalt]

Your V485855 is a very interesting Victory. It is possible it is unused by its appearance. I think I would not try to remove the packing grease (Cosmolene?) remaining on it. Delta did build Liberty Ships during WWII, and indications are that at least some handguns were part of the Liberty Ships' standard equipment complement, probably for the Captain, maybe some mates. I have no idea how many guns were sent to sea on each of those ships. Some may also have been intended for shipyard security guards, and maybe that is what yours was used for. These were sent to the U. S. Maritime Commission (USMC) but that surplus property tag is extraordinary and would add a premium to its value. You should definitely get an historical letter documenting that it indeed was sent by S&W to the USMC. The serial number suggests a shipping date of around early 1944. I list several other Victories with SNs not too far removed from yours which were also USMC guns shipping in the late 43-early 44 period. USMC guns had no property stampings on the topstrap.

 

[wanno]

have a smith & wesson Model 10 Victory Model Ser #V18780, with US Navy on top of frame. Can any one provide any information on it?

 

[Absalom]

have a smith & wesson Model 10 Victory Model Ser #V18780, with US Navy on top of frame. Can any one provide any information on it?

It’s not a Model 10 (that didn’t start until 1957/58), but simply a .38 M&P Victory. Likely from June/July 1942. Shipped to the US Navy. For any further comments, regarding orginality, condition and such, post some pictures.

 

[Fishbed77]

I think I would not try to remove the packing grease (Cosmolene?) remaining on it.

There was no Cosmoline on the pistol. Due to the light pitting on this pistol's grip, I do believe it was handled a bit, but do not believe it was fired a lot.

.

 

[DWesol]

Hello,
I found another one. Serial # V234216. 38 SPL. 4" bbl. U.S. Navy marked on Top Strap. Looks all original w/ lanyard ring and smooth grips.
Photos to follow. Date of manufacture?

 

[Absalom]

Hello,
I found another one. Serial # V234216. 38 SPL. 4" bbl. U.S. Navy marked on Top Strap. Looks all original w/ lanyard ring and smooth grips.
Photos to follow. Date of manufacture?
.......

Approx. Feb./March 1943. Looks indeed like all-original finish. Do the serials all match, incl. back of right grip panel?

 

[case42so]

Please enter V146357 to the data base. It is stamped U.S.Navy on the topstrap. All numbers match including the right grip.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Case42so:

Done. Your Navy has been added to the Database. Thank you for providing this information.

 

[nudge]

Victory model

Please add this one to the data base. S/N V163756 Cal 38 S&W CTG,Top Strap Marked "United States Property", Inspector GHD.

 

[Absalom]

Please add this one to the data base. S/N V163756 Cal 38 S&W CTG,Top Strap Marked "United States Property", Inspector GHD.

Nudge:
Since you’re in Australia, and the Victory is a lend-lease gun that seems unmolested and the finish appears original, I’m curious whether it has any non-factory markings on the other side not shown in your photo.

We mostly get Lithgow-FTR’d Australian guns here, and it sometimes appears like there are older markings underneath the array of 1950s FTR stampings. So I’d be curious whether a non- FTR’d lend-lease gun shows anything.

 

[nudge]

Thanks for your reply.There are no FTR markings on the right side near the Made in USA stamp. I have owned one a few years ago with that stamp. All serial numbers match. I also have another two pre victory models S/N 784711 with no military marks and the other 800805 with military mark A arrow F ,by my book Australian forces or Air Force. Should I post pics here or in another area. cheers.

 

[Havoc1C4]

Victory revolver

I’d like to add my Victory revolver. My dad has had this revolver for a very long time. He got it from his uncle who said it came from a WWII aircrew member. Today was his 83rd birthday and he gave it to me. The serial number is V27456 (1942?). Is it worth getting a letter from S&W? I know it has the wrong grips on it. I’d love it if someone could point me toward some correct ones.

 

[KEN L]

It is one of the British Lend Lease guns that most likely shipped in Jun of 1942. The caliber is .38 S&W not .38 Special. Even though it is marked U.S. Property, it wasn't U.S. issued. Personally, I wouldn't waste my money for a letter as I already know approximately when it shipped and where it went. A letter really won't tell you any more than that. However, it is a great family heirloom, even if it does have the wrong stocks on it. I'd leave it just as it is!