Victory data base

[PMARTIN]

Greetings all. Although I own guns I am not a gun
enthsiast but I am a WW2 enthusiast and I hope someone here can tell me if I have a nice complete piece of WW2 history. Here is the pistol's info:
S&W 5 inch barrel-fixed half moon sight.
On butt, under barrel and on cylinder ser# V267##
On right side of barrel 38 S&W CTG (not "special")
On right side "Made In USA"
On Right side S&W stamp
There is no "S" stamp anywhere for the safety feature
On left side Crown over BNP stamp, .38, .767, 3 tons per (square)
On top patent info for Feb,Sept and Dec.
BNP stamp also 2 other locations including cylinder.
On top United States Property
gun has black matted finish (not dark blue or grey)
The grips are wooden checkered with the small gold S&W medallion-inside the right was a difficult number to read. Possibly 710399. Deeply embedded in the wood but crowded together.
There is a small strange marking just above left grip. Even with a magnifier it was difficult--a "G"(?) and "B"(?) over an X with possibly a "P" underneath.

I hope someone has exciting news for me--Thanks in advance.

...and it does have the lanyard loop attached on the butt

 

[DWalt]

Sounds like a mid-1942 Victory model .38/200 made for the British Commonwealth. The grips you describe do not seem correct, as at that time they should have been smooth wood. Your grips may be even earlier. The United States Property marking would indicate that it a "Lend-Lease" weapon. The finish at that time should be a dull phosphate (Parkerized), and it could look black or near-black. It does not seem to be externally modified, but you need to determine if it has been rechambered for .38 S&W Special. And if so, that is definitely not a good thing. If a .38 Special case or cartridge can be inserted completely, it has been rechambered.

A few good pictures would be good for a better assessment.

 

[seansvoice]

As my first post in the S&W forum, I submit our family Vic for the database: #VS738600...

I am guessing Spring 1945?

Anyway, it is a 4" barrel with original smooth grips and lanyard swivel, park finish is still well intact...no gov't markings...has original fixed sights.

My brother and I bought it for Dad as a birthday present back in the 70s. I think we paid $35. We bought it from a friend who was later sheriff in our hometown...HE bought it from the youth pastor at our church.

My dad decided that he wanted to distribute his old guns while he is still alive...he gave me the Colt M1911 (ALL original, made in 1917) and is giving the Vic to my brother (who also owns a 6 inch Model 28 that he bought new in the late 1970s).

I will try to get my dad to take pictures. If not, I will take pictures next time I get home to Florida...

 

[PMARTIN]

My camera cant take quality phots which is why I put so much info in the post. I ll check out a friends camera tomorrow or next.

 

[PMARTIN]

PMARTIN PHOTOS FROM EARLIER POST

These are the best photos I have until I get to a friends better camera. Any closer would be blurred.

 

[PMARTIN]

Also this time when I removed the grips (right), underneath near the top was the stamp "FTN". What would this mean please?

 

[DWalt]

VS738600 is more than likely very early in 1945. At that time, the grips would have been smooth wood and the finish Parkerized. Therefore the grips shown are not original, and if it has been blued, as it appears, it has probably been re-finished. You did not provide any markings stamped on it. Is the barrel stamped .38 S&W or .38 Special? Did you measure the barrel length from the front face of the cylinder?

 

[PMARTIN]

Pmartin photos

I got better photos--The stamp I thought was FTN I see now is FTR

 

[PMARTIN]

one more--my upload was limited

 

[seansvoice]

VS738600 is more than likely very early in 1945. At that time, the grips would have been smooth wood and the finish Parkerized. Therefore the grips shown are not original, and if it has been blued, as it appears, it has probably been re-finished. You did not provide any markings stamped on it. Is the barrel stamped .38 S&W or .38 Special? Did you measure the barrel length from the front face of the cylinder?

The photos are from another poster regarding another gun...I have yet to exhibit photos.

 

[chairkit]

U.S. Navy Victory

I have a Navy Victory model, 38 spl ctg. s/n V267511. All numbers the same with the exception of the grips. I think it was issued to Lt. George F. Rease in Norfolk, Va. sometime in 1944.

 

[ordnanceguy]

The stamp I thought was FTN I see now is FTR

Hello PMartin:

The FTR marking means "Factory Thorough Repair", or basically a complete overhaul of the revolver. That explains why your finish appears to be different from the non-FTRed guns. Your revolver also bears post-war British commercial proof markings.

Thanks for posting complete info and pics. That makes it a lot easier to help out.

 

[PMARTIN]

Thanks alot..I wonder, does the FTR diminishes its collectability a lot much. I assume this was done while in possession of the Brit govt/Military?

 

[Wiregrassguy]

It's part of its military heritage and doesn't detract too much.

 

[piaggior]

Hi all!
I have a 38 s&w special ctg. with US Property GHD on the topstrap. The serial number is 362208. I will post a photo when I figure out how.

 

[DWalt]

I have a Navy Victory model, 38 spl ctg. s/n V267511. All numbers the same with the exception of the grips. I think it was issued to Lt. George F. Rease in Norfolk, Va. sometime in 1944.

That one would most probably have been shipped in May or June 1943, not 1944 (even though a 1944 shipment would not be impossible). I cannot make out much detail from your pictures, but if it has "U.S.Navy" on the topstrap, and nothing else, it is probably authentic. Some of the Navies may have a second Navy marking on the left side of the frame, "PROPERTY OF U. S. NAVY" in two lines. Navy Victories are desirable.

 

[ken kalustian]

victory info

Hi, I am currently looking at S&w Victory model serial # V52995. This gun has checkered grips.Does anyone have any info on the year of this gun and are the checkered grips correct? Since this gun has a short serial#, is it a early model? I will check the gun more closely Tuesday for any markings. Thank you for any info.
Ken

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! What is the cartridge it is chambered for? If .38 S&W, the grips may be correct, but I doubt it. V series S&W revolvers usually had smooth, round top service grips. And, yes it is an early gun. Pictures would help folks here help you.

 

[ken kalustian]

I want to thank those who responed to my post. Thank you. The vi
ctory in question is a 38sp. with a 4" barrel.I could find no markings on it other than the S&w logo and barrel marking. It is a matching # gun.It has some pitting in the barrel near the muzzel. There is not much of the original finish left on the gun, but no pits on the exterior. I thought i read, that some early victorys had checkered grips. I do believe I not will puchase this gun.

 

[DWalt]

Without markings, it was probably made for U. S. civilian use, for law enforcement or by defense plant guards. The pre-Victories had checkered grips, but after the V-prefixes started, smooth grips are correct. And they were numbered to the gun.