Victory data base

[raisedin99]

Picked up this midnight black finished Victory model today, serial # V 394700.
Typical Victory marked: U.S. Property G.H.D.
38 Special in caliber.
Numbers match throughout the gun except for the grips.



I have no reason to believe it has ever been fired, The forcing cone is flawless, top strap and barrel / frame area are without any form of powder residue as well as an unmarked recoil shield. The ejector rod does not have the elongated scratched surface indicative of ejecting cases.

The finish appears that the gun has spend much time through the years with something else made of very hard material and they were in close confinement.
I will take a risk and speculate it may have done time in a cigar box along with old ammo, dog tags, rings, pocket knife and other assorted keepsakes carried by a service man of the war era. The finish damage is at the high spots and appear to be rubbed in.



Case colors are bright. There is absolutely no oil or grease on the exterior of the gun.

terry

 

[DWalt]

It looks to be in pretty good condition to me, and a good find. I assume there is a V-prefix to the SN, and if so, probable shipping date would be September 1943. Shame that the grips do not match, but that's not a terrible defect.

 

[raisedin99]

I assume there is a V-prefix to the SN, and if so, probable shipping date would be September 1943.

Right you are, I added the V.

Thanks for the observation.

terry

 

[Leadchop54]

Hi everyone! I recently got a victory model in a trade. I don't know much about these and am wondering if anyone can help me out. The serial# is v620528. I noticed a small p in the top left side corner. It's chambered for 38sw. Thanks so much!!

 

[DWalt]

It's a Victory model revolver made by S&W for the British Commonwealth during WWII, usually called the .38/200. That one shipped from the factory in mid-1944. It has been refinished (originally they were not blued), and the wooden grips are much more recent. The lanyard swivel hole has been inexpertly plugged. One thing to check for is whether the chambers have been bored out to accept .38 S&W Special cartridges. A great many were. If so, it is safe to fire .38 Special ammunition, but the rear part of the case will bulge somewhat on firing. .38 S&W ammunition can be used, but it is difficult to locate, as most retailers do not stock it. As yours is not in original condition, it has no value to a collector. This thread has a great many postings about the British .38/200 revolvers.

 

[digi-shots]

There were two Navy contracts for M&Ps during WWII (shipped in 1942 and 1943), and those were the only ones stamped U. S. Navy. Allegedly the total was about 65,000 units. Later on, the Navy just got theirs through the Army, and those had no special Navy markings. You might also be aware that there are some Navy revolvers with Navy property markings on the left side of the frame.

You may want to look here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-ha...08-serial-number-blocks-us-navy-victorys.html

...a couple of comments..

I can't seem to find the thread or listing of "Serial Number Blocks for US NAVY Victorys". I tried the link but nothing happenend.

The approx. 65,000 NAVY stamped Victorys (direct Navy purchase) vs. the total, percentage-wise may be low, but I wouldn't call 65,000 "relatively few". I believe the total number of V prefix guns was approx. 810,000 - V1 to V8xx,xxx - with about half of these going overseas and in 38/200 caliber. I'm not counting the pre-Victory guns.

I usually reserve "relatively few" for guns like the "Red Navy's", surviving Aircrewman & Singer 1911a1's. Maybe even the OSS guns (Colt 1911a1, m1903, & S&W Victory)... I don't know how many were actually shipped, so it's hard to figure "percentage"... but I know there are a few out there.

Collectors have all sorts of reasons for collecting... many like the US NAVY stamped ones, even though most of the other .38 caliber US Property stamped ones also went to the Navy.

 

[texsweed]

COOL Me Toooooo!

Hello guys, have acquired a new 38 Spl Victory model and would like all the information you can tell me about this gun. Not sure how the data base works, so let me know if more info needed.

(1) S/N V 699640 appears on bottom of handle and on cylinder and can be seen when cylinder swings opened. The cylinder also has 3 letters around S/N, P - V - and another letter or maybe symbol, can't tell what it is for sure. Will attempt better pictures when have more time.
(2) 4" barrel has SMITH & WESSON on one side and 38 S & W SPECIAL CTG on other side. What does CTG stand for.
(3) The lanyard ring is missing. Are original's available and where.
(4) Stocks appear to be walnut and in such good condition I wonder if they are original.
(5) 4 screws showing, don't know if a 5th is under stock as have not had stocks off yet. One screw has slight 'bugger' but not bad. Sideplate has trademark. Would call the finish black (maybe its called blue, my first vintage). Finish appears really good to me with only slight holster wear.
(6) Yoke has S 5 0 2 7 and I'm not sure if S or 5 is that.
(7) What is the procedure to get a factory letter. Do you have to belong to SWCA or Historical Society to do that.

Thanks for your time.

Good morning all, what a find!
I know of gun that I would like to Identify.
38 Spl Victory S/N V 4429XX Not marked U S Property
The Pictures of everReady Rob’s gun are identical to this pistol, except it has the lanyard ring. All # match thru-out.
I just wonder when it was likely shipped?
Also know of a .45 APC model, but will have to find the serial and get some pics on it.

 

[DWalt]

S/N V 4429XX likely shipped late October-early November 1943, but only a factory letter would provide an exact date. Yours was probably intended for stateside civilian use, such as police or defense plant guards. A small percentage of wartime M&Ps produced were sold to the Defense Supply Corporation for such non-military purposes, and have no military markings.

 

[DWalt]

...a couple of comments..

I can't seem to find the thread or listing of "Serial Number Blocks for US NAVY Victorys". I tried the link but nothing happenend.

The approx. 65,000 NAVY stamped Victorys (direct Navy purchase) vs. the total, percentage-wise may be low, but I wouldn't call 65,000 "relatively few". I believe the total number of V prefix guns was approx. 810,000 - V1 to V8xx,xxx - with about half of these going overseas and in 38/200 caliber. I'm not counting the pre-Victory guns.

I usually reserve "relatively few" for guns like the "Red Navy's", surviving Aircrewman & Singer 1911a1's. Maybe even the OSS guns (Colt 1911a1, m1903, & S&W Victory)... I don't know how many were actually shipped, so it's hard to figure "percentage"... but I know there are a few out there.

Collectors have all sorts of reasons for collecting... many like the US NAVY stamped ones, even though most of the other .38 caliber US Property stamped ones also went to the Navy.

I consider 65,000 marked Navies to be relatively few compared to the roughly 1.1 Million wartime M&Ps produced between 1940 and 1945 - about 6%. Guns in the category of the Singer M1911A1 (500) and the Colt Walker are more properly rarities. The number of wartime M&Ps made for civilian use are even fewer than Navies. The link provided seems to work fine to me

 

[kwill1911]

US NAVY marked Victory Model revolvers do seem to bring a premium relative to unmarked or US PROPERTY marked guns. But, to be clear, the 65,000 guns shipped directly to the Navy and Army contract W-478-ORD-3091 for 20,000 units had "U.S. NAVY" on the top strap for a total of 85,000 revolvers so marked.

 

[digi-shots]

US NAVY marked Victory Model revolvers do seem to bring a premium relative to unmarked or US PROPERTY marked guns. But, to be clear, the 65,000 guns shipped directly to the Navy and Army contract W-478-ORD-3091 for 20,000 units had "U.S. NAVY" on the top strap for a total of 85,000 revolvers so marked.

Kevin, I believe you're right... there were 85,000 revolvers stamped "U.S. NAVY". I guess it's semantics, but I still wouldn't consider this "relatively few". The US NAVY ones are not encountered as often as the US PROPERTY ones and do seem to bring a premium.

 

[texsweed]

Thanks DWalt
That exactly matches the story behind this particular gun. Supposed to be issued to someone working w/ FBI. Had my doubts about that tall tail!

 

[Kurlis]

I purchased a Smith & Wesson Victory Model on Gunbroker.com. On the butt, next to the lanyard is what I think is the serial number: V76503 which is also on the cylinder and underneath the barrel. Another number 22970 is located on the yoke or crane and is visible when the cylinder is open. I don't know what it is but its located where the serial numbers are for all my other S&W revolvers. The revolver is inscribed with "U.S. NAVY". Any idea on date of shipment and the significance of that other number? Thanks very much in advance!

 

[winchester73]

Victory Model Questions

Im not sure if the Victory database is still up and going but I found one today from the estate of an old veteran. The serial number V607722. The finish is the original park, the grips are original and so is everything else. It is absolutely untouched. Id love to know its age if anyone can help out with it I'd appreciate it. Im gonna send for the letter from S&W to fin out more about it. Its chambered in 38 S&W if that helps.

 

[DWalt]

It looks to be in very nice condition. If it is Navy-marked, you have a prize.

 

[Shooters Mark]

My Victory

Purchased a Commercial Victory from a local Pawn Shop yesterday. Serial number is SV810948. No other markings or stampings on it, except for the small s on the right side plate and usual S & W stampings. It's Blue Steel, 4 inch and in good condition. Don't think they knew what they had. I'll try to post photos later.

 

[DWalt]

Purchased a Commercial Victory from a local Pawn Shop yesterday. Serial number is SV810948. No other markings or stampings on it, except for the small s on the right side plate and usual S & W stampings. It's Blue Steel, 4 inch and in good condition. Don't think they knew what they had. I'll try to post photos later.

Yours was among the last of the wartime Victory model frames made in August 1945. Many of those did not get transferred to the military, but were made up in civilian form for commercial sale in early 1946. The S markings denote the new hammer safety feature incorporated into production in very late 1944-early 1945.

By the way, most of the civilian SVs had a plugged lanyard swivel hole.

 

[Praetorianseven]

I have two Victory models, both British in 38 S&W. One is original with 5inch barrel, the other's barrel was cut down to 2 inch after the war. Serial numbers are V22177 and V161160 respectively. I'll post pics as soon as I figure out how to.

 

[DWalt]

Likely shipped mid-1942 and late 1942 respectively.

 

[rebel0994]

Victory Model

I have an old Victory model .38 S&W 5 inch SN V768733, no US property markings or proof marks, I know it's not worth alot as it has been refinished, and the cylinders reamed, but it is a neat old gun that is a great shooter. I would still like to find out as much as I can about it.