Victory data base

[ordnanceguy]

Hello Turbo:

Your revolver was likely shipped from the S&W factory in the November, 1943 to January, 1944 time frame, based on the info in the Victory Database maintained by LWCmdr45 and me. It was probably a Defense Supplies Corporation authorized shipment to a civilian user such as a defense plant or law enforcement agency. Factory letters on these guns can reveal very interesting shipping destination so I would urge you to get a letter and post back here with the details when it arrives.

Is that a "flaming bomb" mark on the butt?

HTH.

 

[DWalt]

It's virtually certain the nickel plating is not original, nor are the grips which are from the late 1960s or later. Yours is also missing the lanyard swivel. That does not help the value. Dating is correct, likely late 1943.

Nonetheless, a good shooter.

 

[brigham33]

Two more...

Picked these up at the last RIA auction. V589874 a 38 S&W typical lend/lease 5" barrel, but with no Brit proofs etc. Looks unissued. Second one is V191467, 38 Special, US Navy marked, 4" barrel, with lanyard still attached but looks unfired. Nicely the grips on each match the revolvers.

 

[e6bill]

My addition to the database:
Serial # 983045 (no V prefix) on the butt.
Marked W.B w/ordinance emblem and a faint P on the butt.
NZ 4861 on the backstrap.
United States Property on the top.
Currently .38 spec, believe it was originally .38-200 (marked .38 S&W)
Lanyard ring removed, filled with a plug.
Currently nickel plated.

 

[trashy]

New to fourm, glad I found it. "Victory ??"

I was left this by my grandfather in 1973, have always wondered about DOB and where it may have been, he never told me where he got it or any other info.

The numbers on grip bottom does NOT match numbers on crane and yoke, but, does match number on cylinder.

Grip bottom - V (on left side of lanyard) 623558 (on right of lanyard)

Cylinder - same, 623558 , but, also has the "V" along with a "S" and "P" above different chambers

Crane and Yoke - 79746 also has a "S" below number.

Have not had grips off, dont want to do any damage.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

What about numbers on the barrel flat where the ejector rod docks? Do take off the stocks and look for the serial number on the right panel. If they have been on the gun for a long time, they may stick a bit. Loosen the escutcheon screw and push on it to loosen the right panel. Then, you can reach through the frame to remove the left panel. Don't pry them.

Your gun was made prior to the safety hammer block. Look on the upper right frame and see if a small S is stamped there. If so, it was modified for the hammer block. The mod was made in Sept. 1944 at SN V769000. So, your gun was made prior to that.

 

[trashy]

Thanks Wiregrass, I cannot see a "S" anywhere on upper right frame, but, as stated in previous post, there is a "S" and "P" on edge of cylinder chambers, number matches grip and bottom.

I was able to get grips off without any damage, number on inside of grip matches number on bottom of grip and cylinder (V 623558).

Barrel flat matches # on crane (79746), with a "S" also

Hope this helps.

 

[digi-shots]

Welcome to the Forum!

Sounds like a nice Victory! You didn't mention it but does the barrel say .38 S&W SPECIAL or .38 S&W CTG. ?

Are there any markings on stampings on the top strap frame above the cylinder? Many of the Victory models will be stamped "U.S. Property".

 

[trashy]

Thank you, there's nothing on top strap and on barrel is actually both ".38 S&W Special CTG". I would just like to get as much info as possible, definitely not looking to sell as this was my grandfathers.

 

[digi-shots]

From the serial number range, there's a good chance your gun was shipped in the summer of 1944. Your gun is chambered for a .38 special.

Many of the Victory models without any markings on the topstrap are considered DSC guns (Defense Supply Corporation) and were used during WWII as guard guns for non-military government organizations and the defense industry and are collectable.

You might see some other markings or proof marks on the gun... perhaps the letter "P" on the left side of the frame near the hammer, along with some letters or markings on the butt of the gun. Some will have an "ordnance bomb" proof on the butt.

Hope this helps!

 

[Wiregrassguy]

How about some pictures, trashy? Someone might be able to tell you more about your gun.

 

[DWalt]

V 623558 probably shipped sometime in mid-1944, but it is certainly possible that it may have shipped somewhat later than that. A factory letter is the only way to tell for sure.

Without any military marking, it is likely to be one of those made for stateside service, e.g., law enforcement or defense plant guards.

Actually, such revolvers in good condition have significant collector interest as there were relatively few of them made during the war, as compared to those destined for military service.

 

[trashy]

No markings by hammer, as stated there is a P on front of cylinder and S on cylinder front and on crane.

I will attempt to put pictures up.

 

[trashy]

 

[trashy]

This mark before "V" was not visible to MY naked eye, thanks to my sons help it is now visible. Hopefully with this and above posted pics it will be a help.

 

[DWalt]

It's in better condition than most - I'd say there would be no problem in getting at least $500 for it, but in this insane market, who knows?

 

[trashy]

Thanks, but, not looking to sale. Just wanted estimated DOB and other info as where issued and such.

 

[digi-shots]

The stamping on the bottom of the butt is an "ordnance" proof mark indicating that the gun was inspected. The design is a flaming bomb. You'll see marks like this and the letter "P" as a proof mark... they're all basically inspection and acceptance markings.

 

[KentL]

Victory V641044 for your database

This belongs to a friend of mine. He's not a gunnie but would like to be.

It had been his father-in-law's glovebox gun for quite a while; he got it from him quite a few years ago and it's been in holster in a drawer ever since. He has never shot it. It was pretty rusty and just filthy, so I cleaned it inside and out and told him I'd find out what I could about it for him.

Most of the background is pretty straightforward. I infer from other S/Ns that it is a mid-war manufacture. Obviously it went to Britain, was remanufactured at Cogswell & Harrison after the war and returned here for sale to the public.

The proof stamp on the barrel (an overstamp of the .38 S&W stamp) indicates 15.4 tons.

I haven't looked at every picture out there of reman'd V-models, but the high, ramped front sight looks anomalous. In fact, when my friend holds with a sight alignment set up the weapon has a distinct downward cant from the apparent sight line. Did C&H use those as a general thing?

It was obviously refinished by a guy with a heavy hand on the buffing wheel taking off the parkerizing, for the S&W logo is nearly buffed out. The rechambered portion looks as though it might have been done with a rat-tail file by a drunk. Well, maybe not that bad, but they needed a new cutter, I think; the chambers are pretty rough.

Kent

 

[DWalt]

KentL, that one is likely from late summer 1944. Unfortunately it is one of those molested by various gun retailers in the post- WWII period by making various changes to make it more attractive for sale on the US market, such as re-chambering the cylinder for .38 Special, refinishing, and shortening barrels. In the process, it has lost any collector interest. These butchered specimens abound. Its value is essentially what someone who needs a shooter will pay for it.