Victory data base

[Absalom]

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.

As Ken pointed out, it's not a US issue; any US aircrew (mostly Navy and Marine) that were issued a Victory got the .38 Special 4" version.

Also, that gun has post-war British commercial proofs showing it did not leave British service until likely the later 1950s; a focused close-up of the view mark (left side, above trigger guard) might allow pinning down the year it was sold in Britain.

Definitely keep those grips, but if you want to get some correct-style stocks also, check on e-bay or Gunbroker; you need smooth walnut; see attached picture.

 

[Havoc1C4]

As Ken pointed out, it's not a US issue; any US aircrew (mostly Navy and Marine) that were issued a Victory got the .38 Special 4" version.

Also, that gun has post-war British commercial proofs showing it did not leave British service until likely the later 1950s; a focused close-up of the view mark (left side, above trigger guard) might allow pinning down the year it was sold in Britain.

Definitely keep those grips, but if you want to get some correct-style stocks also, check on e-bay or Gunbroker; you need smooth walnut; see attached picture.

This mark?

 

[Absalom]

This mark?

Yep. Nice clear shot.

F is 1955. B is Birmingham Proof House. 2 denotes the inspector rank. The symbols are variously referred to as crossed sceptres or crossed swords, depending on the source.

 

[chiefdave]

Addition to data base

You can add V3193 to the base. No military, proof, or inspectors stamps. Maybe DSC, letter already requested. Other than the sideplate screw everything seems to be correct.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum, Havoc1C4. Lots of good info to found here.

 

[Absalom]

You can add V3193 to the base. No military, proof, or inspectors stamps. Maybe DSC .....

How about the butt? At that point a DSC or Maritime Comm gun should have the ordnance flaming bomb, although in that year 1942 one really can’t presume anything. This could even still letter as a Navy-shipped gun

 

[Havoc1C4]

Yep. Nice clear shot.

F is 1955. B is Birmingham Proof House. 2 denotes the inspector rank. The symbols are variously referred to as crossed sceptres or crossed swords, depending on the source.

Thank you! Does this mean it left service in 1955? Was this a Birmingham England police gun? I appreciate your help.

 

[Havoc1C4]

Welcome to the Forum, Havoc1C4. Lots of good info to found here.

Thank you! Good folks here it seems. Btw, Roll Tide! I live just south of Birmingham Alabama in Helena.

 

[Absalom]

Thank you! Does this mean it left service in 1955? Was this a Birmingham England police gun? I appreciate your help.

It was sent to Britain during WW II and was used as a supplementary handgun by British troops.

After the war, they were kept in storage for a while, and then in the 1950s the government started selling them to surplus dealers over several years’ time.

British laws required those dealers to have the guns commercially proofed before selling them on, either locally (rare due to restrictive laws) or via export, mostly back to the US.

There were/are two commercial proof houses in Britain, London and Birmingham. Most of these revolvers were sent to the latter for proofing.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I live just south of Birmingham Alabama in Helena.

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass!

 

[chiefdave]

How about the butt? At that point a DSC or Maritime Comm gun should have the ordnance flaming bomb, although in that year 1942 one really can’t presume anything. This could even still letter as a Navy-shipped gun

Nothing on the butt either, I have a pre-Victory that is also unmarked. Guess that is why I collect them, it seems like the variations are endless.

 

[KEN L]

You can add V3193 to the base. No military, proof, or inspectors stamps. Maybe DSC, letter already requested. Other than the sideplate screw everything seems to be correct.

Is “USG 6418” marked anywhere on this gun. I already have that serial number in my database with that marking on it.

 

[chiefdave]

Is “USG 6418” marked anywhere on this gun. I already have that serial number in my database with that marking on it.

That's the one, hoping that it will letter as a DSC shipped to United States Gulf (later Gulf Oil). Does the data base show any like marked revolvers?

 

[Muley Gil]

Thank you! Good folks here it seems. Btw, Roll Tide! I live just south of Birmingham Alabama in Helena.

I know it well. I worked in Bessemer for over 23 years.

 

[KEN L]

That's the one, hoping that it will letter as a DSC shipped to United States Gulf (later Gulf Oil). Does the data base show any like marked revolvers?

Nothing else in my database, but I'm sure there are others or there with bigger ones than mine. Maybe Digishots or DWalt have more info. Can't wait till see the results of your letter. The DSC guns are always more interesting to me.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Chief Dave:

You asked whether the Victory Model Database contains any other guns marked similarly to your V3193 with USG 6418. (I presume that the latter marking is electro-penciled on the left frame below the cylinder latch, correct?)

I can report that the VM Database does indeed contain another similarly marked example. That is V2973 with the electro-penciled marking of USG 6566. When recorded in the Database we did not have any factory letter shipping info on it. Nonetheless, given that your serial is only 220 numbers away from the other one, I think it is a safe bet that your revolver and V3193 initially served the same employer.

I will be very interested in how your SWHF letter turns out. Please post that info back here when you receive it.
__________________

 

[chiefdave]

Chief Dave:

You asked whether the Victory Model Database contains any other guns marked similarly to your V3193 with USG 6418. (I presume that the latter marking is electro-penciled on the left frame below the cylinder latch, correct?)

I can report that the VM Database does indeed contain another similarly marked example. That is V2973 with the electro-penciled marking of USG 6566. When recorded in the Database we did not have any factory letter shipping info on it. Nonetheless, given that your serial is only 220 numbers away from the other one, I think it is a safe bet that your revolver and V3193 initially served the same employer.

I will be very interested in how your SWHF letter turns out. Please post that info back here when you receive it.
__________________

You are correct about the mode and location of the USG 6418. The letter request is already on the way and will share as soon as it arrives.

Do you also track pre-Victory's?

 

[ordnanceguy]

Chief:

Yes, our Victory Model Database covers the pre-Victory guns from about 700,000 to 999,999. We have thousands of pre-Victory and Victory serials recorded. If you have any that you would like included in the Database on a confidential basis just post it here or send me a PM.

 

[larymark]

New to forum, issued a 38 spl revolver in 1966 at Malstrom AFB MT.
I'm assuming it was a victory model but don't know for sure and didn't really care back then as long as it fired.

Just acquired a victory and after reading 100's of post I have a question maybe some one could answer.

The distribution of the victory models with serial numbers very close to each other going to different places, army, navy, allies, and used for security at many different facilities here in US.
Example:

Serial # 5004441 going to Army marked property of US
5004330 going to Navy marked Navy
5005998 going to factory in US for security purposes

Was distribution random with no real sequence followed?


Thanks, Great forum

 

[larymark]

Typo! Made up Example serial numbers should be 6 numbers.