Victory data base

S&W Victory Model - U.S. Maritime Commission revolver

Hello. I have a United States Maritime Commission Contract pistol. Sent to Reading, PA., Serial no. V491221. I just received my letter from S&W yesterday. My questions to those of you with more savvy than me is, was this then used by the Merchant Marines, or who? Does it command more value than the standard military issue? BTW, the barrel is not marked U.S. Property. I can post pictures later if anyone wants, but it is all there and original, in great condition as well. Sent to the Commission on Jan 13, 1944. Thanks in advance! Allen
 
S&W Victory Model - U.S. Maritime Commission revolver

hello! wow! Thanks for the information! I should be able to post photos and the letter this evening. I am hoping to get a rough or better idea of the value of it. Allen
 
Please do. The USMC revolvers were sent to various locations, but I don't think I have known of one going to Reading PA. But I have no idea what all the shipping destinations were. Hoboken, Charlotte, and San Francisco are also known, and there may well be many more.

The USMC revolvers are believed to not have any property markings when first shipped, just like DSC revolvers, and those that have USMC markings are considered suspicious.

Value will be somewhat dependent upon its condition, but even in poor condition, it will bring a premium price vs. a run-of-the-mill Victory.
 
Yours appears to be in excellent condition, except the grips seem to have been varnished. That's not too serious. Is there a matching SN stamped on the rear side of the right grip panel? That could affect value somewhat negatively if not.

I'd say that with not much trouble you could probably get a grand out of it, maybe more, as you have a factory letter affirming it was sent to USMC. These just don't turn up for sale, so I have no idea what the recent sales price history is. Hopefully someone is more current than I on the going rate for one like this.
 
S&W Victory Pistol - Maritime Commission

Hello again. Yes, there is a matching SN stamped on the rear side of the right grip panel. Allen
 
Here is my Navy marked revolver. Serial# 235334. My dad's serial number is 186835.
 

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S&W Victory Date

My 4" S&W Victory in 38 Special has a serial number of 383425. What year was it manufactured?
 
One more Victory

I would like to add one that I picked up last week,A 5in Victory in 38S&W S#= V6496xx with BAVARIA MUNICIPAL
POLICE on left side, Right side=S&W trade mark + made in USA
Under barrel is correct ssn with V and P stamp,top left side in front of hammer is the same P and is all very nice
Later shore
 
Shore said:
I would like to add one that I picked up last week,A 5in Victory in 38S&W S#= V6496xx with BAVARIA MUNICIPAL
POLICE on left side, Right side=S&W trade mark + made in USA
Under barrel is correct ssn with V and P stamp,top left side in front of hammer is the same P and is all very nice
Later shore
Click to expand...

That would have left the factory in the Summer of 1944. Many Victories are found with German and Austrian police markings, as supplied by the allies to civil police forces during the postwar occupation period.
 
38S&W victory

Thanks for the birth time frame, I think these older S&W are getting really habit forming. Later
Shore
 
Another Victory for the Data Base

Hey Everyone,
First post here. I've had a S&W Victory for several years and thought it is about time I found out something about it. I'll try to post several pics I have below. If that doesn't work I'll provide a link to a Fototime folder with the pics. The revolver's serial number is V663410. There is also a "P" stamped on the cylinder and barrel after the serial number. It has a 5" barrel. It has been milled for the .38S&W. The barrel, receiver, cylinder and right grip match. There is also an "E" stamped on the bottom of the right grip. It is US Property G.H.D. marked on the left top strap. I'm assuming from what I've read here that this is a Lend Lease weapon sent to one of the Commonwealth countries. Is there any way of determining which one? I have not requested a letter on this example. Think I should? Any information you could provide about this great revolver would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

http://www.fototime.com/inv/F8366E283624E24
 
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"It has a 5" barrel. It has been milled for the .38S&W."


I assume you mean the original .38 S&W chambers have been bored to accept .38 S&W Special cartridges. Many of these Victory .38/200s met that fate in the years following WWII. But that pretty well negates any collector interest. Yes, it was made for the British Commonwealth during WWII, and it is Lend-Lease. Those were marked "U. S. Property." Yours probably shipped August or September 1944. You will not learn much from a letter. Save your $50.
 
Thanks for the quick response, DWalt. But I'm not sure that I understand. From reading this forum, it is my understanding that most, if not all of the Lend-Lease Victory models were modified for the .38/200 round as that was the round used by the Enfield and Webley revolvers. Are you saying that the only Victory model of collector's interest is not Lend-Lease and is not .38/200? My interest, as a C&R collector, is that it is an all matching, wartime manufactured S&W that was shipped to the Commonwealth specifically for their use, was modified there to suite their needs, may have seen active combat service, was returned to the US and somehow made it into the inventory of VAM Distributing Co in Wooster, OH. Which of the Victory models, then, are of collector's interest?
Three additional questions: Does anyone know what the "P" indicates on the cylinder and barrel near the serial number?
Does anyone know what the "E" indicates that is stamped onto the bottom of the right grip?
Are there any markings generally found on Victory models indicating their country of use: Canada, South Africa, Australia, Great Britain, etc.
Thanks again.
 
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Victory Model

I have inherited Smith and Wesson Victory Model with serial number v219125. the Gun in is good shape. Not sure when was
manufactured or anything or value, however I am trying to determine the value before selling it. Im not a gun collector or
anything, only need the two that I currently have for my protection. Could anyone shed light on this victory model, value,
manufacture date etc? The gun also has a US Navy marking on the top
Thanks. Great forum
 
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Thank you so much. I see the matching serial number in all the places you described except the grip panel, I think you are referring to the wooden handles. Ok, I am going to pursue a collector or someone to take off my hands for a few hundred
dollars and seems it shouldn't be a problem, to help pay estate off. This site is great.
 
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