Victory data base

[THBW]

Another Victory addition

I would like to add another victory to your database. I pretty much know nothing about it, other than my father chased away a bunch of bikers in the late sixties with it while I watched as a kid, and it does not shoot straight. I am pretty sure he obtained this gun after WWII. Serial # 946640 w/flaming bomb and WB on butt. There is no USProperty stamp at all, but there are numerous BNP stamps all over. 38 special ammunition will not fit in the cylinder. Of special interest to me is the stamping on the barrel left side "BNP .38 .767" and under that "3 1/2 tons per". On the right side is "38 / 380" next to the 38 s&w ctg stamping. Any other info on this would be greatly appreciated, I plan to give it to my son soon.

 

[DWalt]

It's a late pre-Victory .38/200 model which probably shipped from S&W in March-April 1942. The markings you describe are proof marks done at the Birmingham Proof House when these revolvers were released for sale by the British government after WWII. You are fortunate that the chambers have not been bored for .38 Special. You are probably already aware that the correct ammunition is .38 S&W.

 

[digi-shots]

Hi,
I would like to contribute to your database and share with others.

I have a .38/200 S&W SN#736774 with the letter P stamped on the butt

Mr Jinks has told me that this revolver was shipped in Feb of 1941. I do not have any other details other than that.

I would like to know about the arrow located on the top right of the receiver in the photo. Anybody? If anyone else has info/comments, please share.

I bought this with original ammo dating from about the 1950's

Rob

Edited:
The barrel shows wear, possible from being excessively holstered?

Rob,

Nice looking pre-Victory you have there!

Many of these models went to the various British Commonweath countries before the US involvement into WWII.

The stamping on the frame does appear to be very similar to the Canadian marking of C with ^ broad arrow. I'm not familiar with any "circle" markings... this one does look like it could be the capital letter "C".

Also, the barrel looks like 6"... could you measure it to be sure. The 6" barrels are uncommon and sort out by many collectors.

Hope this helps!

 

[THBW]

It's a late pre-Victory .38/200 model which probably shipped from S&W in March-April 1942. The markings you describe are proof marks done at the Birmingham Proof House when these revolvers were released for sale by the British government after WWII. You are fortunate that the chambers have not been bored for .38 Special. You are probably already aware that the correct ammunition is .38 S&W.

Thank you sir for the information, the revolver and it's history are very interesting along with the many others here. Yes I know it is chambered for 38S&W only, and this ammo is harder and harder to find (and not nearly as inexpensive either).

 

[LOBO]

Here is one of the South African Pre-Victory models that made it to South Africa. I'm basing this on the markings on the back-strap. The cylinder hasn't been altered, so it's in the original chambering of .38 S&W. There is a crown stamped on the frame below the cylinder on the right side of the gun.

 

[DWalt]

Very nice. Is that a 4" barrel? Has it been lettered?

 

[LOBO]

Very nice. Is that a 4" barrel? Has it been lettered?

It is a 4". I haven't lettered it, but I plan too very soon.

This is my other pre-Victory South African, but it has been lettered. It doesn't have the "acceptance mark/rack number" on the backstrap like the one above. Here is a link with more pics, http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/201500-pre-victory-model.html

 

[TNshawn]

Is the Victory database open to be view by anyone? If so where is it located?

 

[ffeng31]

My addition to the list...

Picked this little darling up last week. I'll let the pics do the talking. Any and all comments will be appreciated. Anyone have an idea on its date of manufacture? Thanks in advance..

 

[ffeng31]

My apologies on the serial number. I photoshopped 2 of the digits. I have changed the pic so the full number is visible.

 

[DWalt]

Big difference. That would put it in Feb-March of 1943. The Navy-marked Victories ceased to be at about SN V267000.

 

[Muss Muggins]

In case you missed the thread I started about my Victory

SN is V897xx. Stamped US Navy on top strap. The numbers on the frame and crane match, but they do not match the number on the stocks. There are no armory or other property markings.

 

[DWalt]

SN is V897xx. Stamped US Navy on top strap. The numbers on the frame and crane match, but they do not match the number on the stocks. There are no armory or other property markings.

There wouldn't be any other markings. Your Navy probably left the factory in September 1942. It's unfortunate that the serial number on the grip does not match, as that does have a negative impact on value. Nonetheless, Navy-marked revolvers are desirable to Victory collectors.

At that time, the Navy had their own contracts with S&W for revolvers. Later, the Army administered all military revolver contracts with S&W, and Navy revolvers no longer had Navy property markings.

 

[Muss Muggins]

There wouldn't be any other markings. Your Navy probably left the factory in September 1942. It's unfortunate that the serial number on the grip does not match, as that does have a negative impact on value. Nonetheless, Navy-marked revolvers are desirable to Victory collectors.

At that time, the Navy had their own contracts with S&W for revolvers. Later, the Army administered all military revolver contracts with S&W, and Navy revolvers no longer had Navy property markings.

My Standard Catalog of Military Firearms has a photo of a Victory stamped "Property of US Navy" on the left side of the frame, under the cylinder latch. When did this start to occur?

 

[DWalt]

Those engraved frame property markings were not done by S&W, but probably at one or several Navy locations. Perhaps one or more Navy bases decided to engrave revolvers used by their security forces. Why? Who knows? In any event, it would be next to impossible to state if they were original or not, as anyone could fake them with an engraving machine. Some are found with the engraving filled with red or white paint. Not knowing any better, I am very suspicious of any with such engravings because no one seems to be able to explain or authenticate them. Maybe someday we will know the story.

 

[jimbo728]

Hi,
Thanks for the database.
I just acquired a nice 4" Victory in /.38 Special.
Top strap marked with flaming bomb U.S. Property G.H.D.
Grips are smooth walnut and serial #`s are correct, on bottom of butt, underside of barrel and on cylinder. I have not removed the grip panels.The frame and yoke #`s match but are not the serial #`s.
Serial # is V 418393. Can you approximate mfg date?
I had a friend shoot it today and it shoots great., (my hands are paralyzed so I wont be shooting for a while but I still love em.
Thanks, Jim

 

[ordnanceguy]

Hello Jimbo:

Your Victory V418393 likely shipped from the S&W factory in the September-October, 1943 time frame.

Thanks for providing the complete details on your revolver. That makes providing a reliable response much easier.

HTH.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Is the Victory database open to be view by anyone? If so where is it located?

Hello TNshawn:

No, for the time being the Victory Model Database, which my pal LWCmdr45 and I administer, is not available on the Web. However, both of us are available here to assist other collectors with questions on their Victory Model revolvers, and there are many other knowledgeable members here who are also happy to answer questions.

 

[timbo]

Found a Victory

Although I purchased it, I would really prefer to say I rescued a Victory Model today from a pawn shop. There's nothing extraordinary about it except someone had installed a chrome hammer and trigger. I suspect it was refurbished at the S&W factory because it has a R-SB stamped on the bottom of the left side back strap and possibly a date of 6 75 on the side of the front strap. SN on butt matches the cylinder and bottom of barrel, V 3110XX, however, stamped on the crane and it's mating surface on the frame there's a different number that is also found on the inside of the side plate, 669XX.
Any comments or enlightenments would be appreciated!
Thanks!

 

[timbo]

Thanks for the info DWalt! It is a .38spl as indicated with the stamping on the right side of the barrel. As for the other stampings, there's SMITH & WESSON on the left side of the barrel, SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. USA over PATENTED FEB.6.06 SEPT.14.09 DEC.2?.14 on top of the barrel. There's the S&W trademark logo on the right side of frame under the hammer and MADE IN USA forward of the cylinder retaining screw. Near the R-SB there is a U on the back strap and an X near the front strap, right side of butt strap has an S. There's no Gov't or foreign markings, no flaming bombs or P's. Grips were aftermarket rubber wraparounds. (smooth walnut grips ordered along with lanyard ring). You're right about the trigger and hammer being polished stainless, I'll be on the look out for proper replacements for these replacements. It's an unremarkable gun and probably has no story behind it, but it is a Victory and the action is tight with the bore smooth with good rifling. Should be a fun shooter!