Victory data base

[zaleskb1]

There appears to be maybe a "7" and an "8"....Perhaps some zeros on the side with the 8? Those could be nothing, I'm not sure. There are one or more "T." Here's photos. Thanks a bunch. Extremely helpful and it's incredibly appreciated.

 

[wesleydavis]

Another Victory for the Database

I have black 38 special CTG with a 4" barrel and SN V507405 on both the cylinder and the butt. There is a W stamped perpendicular to the serial number on the butt and a P and V on the cylinder before the SN. There are no government markings on the weapon. It has a brown leather holster with a ligthtly stamped MP4 on the back. It was acquired by my father-in-law in about 1948 with a tux in trade for a German Luger (so the myth goes). The trade occurred in Gulfport MS and the weapon was purported to have been a military police weapon. I'd appreciate any information that might help confirm the family myth. I've attached a photo of the butt with SN and the right side view.
Thanks

 

[DWalt]

That one would have probably shipped very early in 1944, maybe January. I don't know any way one could interpret anything from the markings to establish its origin and usage history. The MP4 marking could have been placed there for any number of reasons. Maybe someone else knows. Not all of these have a military story. No small number were used on the home front by security guards at defense plants, etc. A factory letter ($50) might provide more background history, or, equally (or more) likely, it may not. Your choice. In any event, yours is a nice-looking specimen of a Victory Model that does not appear to have been messed with, and it does have some desirability and value.

 

[mpi]

I have a victory, refinished in nickel, and with matching numbers. no government or military markings though. SN V151346. it has the hole for the lanyard ring but no ring installed currently.

 

[DWalt]

Probably early November 1942. Being nickel plated, it is about 99.99% likely to have not shipped that way. Further, having been plated, it becomes more probable that other nasty modifications, such as shortening the barrel and re-boring the chambers, have been performed, which reduce desirability and value to near-nothing. Many Victory models met that fate after WWII.

 

[ordnanceguy]

I have black 38 special CTG with a 4" barrel and SN V507405..... There is a W stamped perpendicular to the serial number on the butt and a P and V on the cylinder before the SN. There are no government markings on the weapon. It has a brown leather holster with a ligthtly stamped MP4 on the back. ....the weapon was purported to have been a military police weapon. I'd appreciate any information that might help confirm the family myth. Thanks

Hello Wesley:

Nice gun. From the Victory Model Database I can tell you that your revolver was not military issue. Rather, it was probably shipped under authorization of the Defense Supplies Corporation. Guns with identical features in this range have factory lettered as having been shipped to the US Maritime Commission, and other destinations as well.

As to the holster without seeing it I am going to guess that it is a flap holster. The MP4 marking does not refer to"Military Police". Rather, it refers to "Military & Police", the S&W model name for the civilian version of this revolver, with a 4 inch barrel. The holster is a civilian holster. The marking is simply an indicator as to what revolver fits the holster.

Every family has it own myths. Mine has a few, too. Hope this information is helpful to you.

 

[wesleydavis]

Thanks for the info on my Victory model 38 special

Hello Wesley:

Nice gun. From the Victory Model Database I can tell you that your revolver was not military issue. Rather, it was probably shipped under authorization of the Defense Supplies Corporation. Guns with identical features in this range have factory lettered as having been shipped to the US Maritime Commission, and other destinations as well.

As to the holster without seeing it I am going to guess that it is a flap holster. The MP4 marking does not refer to"Military Police". Rather, it refers to "Military & Police", the S&W model name for the civilian version of this revolver, with a 4 inch barrel. The holster is a civilian holster. The marking is simply an indicator as to what revolver fits the holster.

Every family has it own myths. Mine has a few, too. Hope this information is helpful to you.

Thanks DWalt and Ordnanceguy for the background on my victory model 38 special.

 

[heshster]

Can anyone help me out?

Hello, I am trying to get some more information on my fathers navy 38 special WWII service pistol, the serial number is V on one side of the bottom loop and on the other side it is 424657, all the numbers match up on the gun, Just want to find out all the information I can on it, I am not sure how to get the information and letter on this. Any help would be great, Here is a few pictures of the holster and the 38 special. I have to say that it is in rough shape, I have rescued it from the trunk of my mothers car and their is some rust, but I am getting that taken care of through a gun smith.

 

[DWalt]

From the picture, I would not say it was in rough shape. That SN would indicate a probable shipping date of October 1943. I can't tell you anything about the holster, not my area. But someone will know.

 

[heshster]

Thanks for the reply, I have heard conflicting information from the small gun shops around here. One says keep it like it is, other one said its not an issue for the rust. I want to keep it and fire it really, just a awesome gun and it has seen seen the pacific in WWII including pearl harbor after it was bombed. always going to be a family heirloom just need some great advise on what to do with it at this point. I can provide more numbers, the other number on it is 83582 when the barrel is open, both sides match. the serial numbers on the cylinder, barrel and butt all match. I would love to add it to the registry! It is government issued by the US property GHD on the top of the gun.

 

[DWalt]

It was intended to be fired, so keep it and shoot it. It won't hurt its value any. I wouldn't do anything to "make it better." Good that all SN locations match. The 83582 number is just an internal factory code and doesn't mean anything.

You might want to take several good-quality close-up pictures from different angles and post them here for more comments.

By the way - did you check inside the grip panels for a number?

 

[78shovel]

Another one for the data base

I have recently joined the forum and wanted to add my serial number for the data base. V97256 and a WB, a P and what looks to be half of an Ordinance bomb stamped on the other side of the lanyard ring hole. Same numbers on the cylinder ( a V and 97256) and under side of barrel and Smith & Wesson on the left side of the barrel. Top of the barrel has Springfield Mass, USA and three different patent dates. Right side of barrel has 38 S & W CTG. Ugly plastic grips which I am sure are not original and no lanyard ring. Any info is appreciated.
Now here is the funny part, 38 special rounds will fit in the cylinder, so I am guessing it has been modified? Would either round be safe?

 

[vanmanjay]

early victory identification

hello guys ! newbie here..a couple months ago i dug my old 38 special victory model out..was having trigger problems and havent shot it in 25 years..buddy of mine that was a gunsmith at one time took it apart and cleaned it real good..he took it to a local gunshop looking for a spring and it seemed to cause quite a scene with the guys at the counter...even the guys in the back came out to look at it...they wanted to buy it on the spot...ive been trying to date it but not having much luck finding the serial number in any of the databases i have found...any ideas ? the number is V383xx thanks for any help

P. S. it shoots great !

 

[DWalt]

78Shovel, yours is one of those made for the British, and a probable shipping date was August-September 1942. If a .38 Special cartridge will fit, the chambers have been modified by boring them deeper. At least your barrel has not been shortened, but it looks to have been refinished. It's safe to fire standard .38 Special in it but the fired cases may be bulged. You can also fire .38 S&W ammo in it. Unfortunately, the lack of the original grips, refinishing, and rechambering have a considerable negative effect on its value.

Vanmanjay, yours is a little earlier, likely June-July 1942. If it says .38 Special on the barrel, you are fortunate. Most of the V-models in that SN range were made for the British and chambered in .38 S&W. What is the barrel length (cylinder face to muzzle)? Most of the British revolvers would be 5" while those in .38 Special would be 4". It would not have a blued finish - if it does, it would have been refinished. Pictures would be good to show details. Also, any markings on it?

 

[vanmanjay]

Thanks ! It is a 38 special and has a 4 inch barrel. Didn't see any other markings on it but ill go over it better tonight and post pictures. vanmanjay

 

[heshster]

Here is what I found for marking and pictures included! I opened the grip and found the grip had markings of 424697 but it would not let me upload them but it is the same as the rest of the numbers on the butt, barrel, and cylinder, inside their was a V and L and the other side was F, O, V. Dang the second round of pictures also did not turn out as well. It is a 4" barrel.

 

[tsellis5]

1942 Victory Model 38 Snub Nose

I have a 1942 Victory Model Snub Nose. I got it from a family friend whose uncle was an Air Force bomber. He was issued the gun and was the only owner. The number is V28295. I will attach some pictures. I would love to know more about the value of this pistol if anyone has some information.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Unfortunately, you do not have a Victory model snub nose. It is a Victory model but the barrel has been cut down, removing the front locking lug. That gun was not issued in that condition.

 

[DWalt]

There is a lot of unknown information aside from the chopped barrel and non-original grips. The other factor is whether the chambers have been bored out to accept .38 Special cartridges. A V-model that early in the series would be very likely to originally have been a British version, chambered in .38 S&W. Visual inspection of the chamber would show that, but the best indicator would be if a .38 S&W cartridge can be fully chambered but a .38 Special cartridge cannot. Or vice-versa. If so, the chambers are original. If both cartridges can be fully inserted, the cylinder has been re-chambered after WWII.

That serial number would have likely shipped in mid-1942.

Regarding value, all I can say is that in its apparent condition it has no collector value, and only nominal value as a shooter. It would be strange indeed if any US pilot (or any pilot) would have been issued this particular revolver in its current condition. There is an old maxim among gun collectors - You buy the gun, not the story. And that's always good advice.

 

[zaleskb1]

Hello, I am trying to get some more information on my fathers navy 38 special WWII service pistol, the serial number is V on one side of the bottom loop and on the other side it is 424657, all the numbers match up on the gun, Just want to find out all the information I can on it, I am not sure how to get the information and letter on this. Any help would be great, Here is a few pictures of the holster and the 38 special. I have to say that it is in rough shape, I have rescued it from the trunk of my mothers car and their is some rust, but I am getting that taken care of through a gun smith.

Any interest in selling the holster?