DWalt
Member
Without a topstrap "U. S. PROPERTY" stamping, it's probably a DSC Victory, for use by defense plant security guards, etc.
Victory data base
- Thread starter zonker5
- Start date
Here is a link to another Victory Model factory letter.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/367252-boy-did-i-screw-up-factory-letter.html#post137813940
Unfortunately it appears I sent them the wrong serial number so it does me no good. Hope it is helpful for the database.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/367252-boy-did-i-screw-up-factory-letter.html#post137813940
Unfortunately it appears I sent them the wrong serial number so it does me no good. Hope it is helpful for the database.
V 482230
Good morning. I picked up V482230 a couple of weeks ago. It had been cut to a 4" barrel and re-chambered to 38 sp. It had a bad nickel plate job, but functioned great. I can post pics shortly, but wondering if you had any information on it in your database. Thanks for your help.
Good morning. I picked up V482230 a couple of weeks ago. It had been cut to a 4" barrel and re-chambered to 38 sp. It had a bad nickel plate job, but functioned great. I can post pics shortly, but wondering if you had any information on it in your database. Thanks for your help.
DWalt
Member
You have it nailed as to what it is - a chopped and bored British Victory model, many thousands of which were imported and sold for about $30 each during the 1950s and 1960s. These have no collector value, only as shooters, typically $150-$200 today. Yours would date from December 1943.
Took a trip to the Springfield, Ohio gun show this morning, 20 minutes browsing the various displays produced this very nice Victory. Typical flaming bomb US PROPERTY GHD markings, all numbers matching with the exception of the grip which is stamped 43595.
Bottom photo is all three of my Victory revolvers. The front one being the newest. I nearly forgot, all in .38 special.
DWalt would you mind giving a birthdate to the new one, serial number V43457x.
terry
Bottom photo is all three of my Victory revolvers. The front one being the newest. I nearly forgot, all in .38 special.
DWalt would you mind giving a birthdate to the new one, serial number V43457x.
terry
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DWalt
Member
V43457x - Shipping ca. October 1943
jimbo728
Member
ordnanceguy
Member
Looks good, Jimbo, and it shoots good, too! Nice gun.
Another Victory for the database
Background -
I purchased this DSC Victory & holster back in November; allegedly, it was the duty gun of a retired postal inspector.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-knives-collectables/346187-help-id-s-w-holster.html
So I sent off for an archives letter which arrived last week only to find that I did not copy the serial number correctly
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/367252-boy-did-i-screw-up-factory-letter.html
I spoke with Mr Jinks who graciously offered to send a new letter which arrived this weekend. While it turns out not to have shipped to the USPS it did go to another federal government agency which, presumably, transferred it to the Post Office after the war.
Background -
I purchased this DSC Victory & holster back in November; allegedly, it was the duty gun of a retired postal inspector.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-knives-collectables/346187-help-id-s-w-holster.html
So I sent off for an archives letter which arrived last week only to find that I did not copy the serial number correctly
http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/367252-boy-did-i-screw-up-factory-letter.html
I spoke with Mr Jinks who graciously offered to send a new letter which arrived this weekend. While it turns out not to have shipped to the USPS it did go to another federal government agency which, presumably, transferred it to the Post Office after the war.
Two letters
Pilfered from Gunbroker auctions
Pilfered from Gunbroker auctions
Bedrock
Member
Navy Victory
Here is my Victory to add to your database. The serial number is V 87887. It is marked "38 S. & W. SPECIAL CTG" on the 4" barrel. All numbers match, including the grip. It is marked U.S. NAVY on the left side of the top strap. There are no other marks other than the matching assembly numbers inside the crane. Can you offer a guess as to when it was manufactured? Thank you very much.
Here is my Victory to add to your database. The serial number is V 87887. It is marked "38 S. & W. SPECIAL CTG" on the 4" barrel. All numbers match, including the grip. It is marked U.S. NAVY on the left side of the top strap. There are no other marks other than the matching assembly numbers inside the crane. Can you offer a guess as to when it was manufactured? Thank you very much.
Attachments
ordnanceguy
Member
Hello Bedrock:
Thanks for posting the data on your very nice Navy example for addition to the Victory Model Database. I can estimate for you that your example likely shipped from the factory in the late August-early September, 1942 time frame.
Thanks for posting the data on your very nice Navy example for addition to the Victory Model Database. I can estimate for you that your example likely shipped from the factory in the late August-early September, 1942 time frame.
jimbo728
Member
I just got a look at the serial # inside the right grip panel on the Victory Model I inquired about on my previous post.
There all there except the very last # is off by 2. It`s a 1 instead of a 3.
My feeling is that was a " close enough for Government work day" at S&W.
The grip frame and mainspring are pristine.
Jim
There all there except the very last # is off by 2. It`s a 1 instead of a 3.
My feeling is that was a " close enough for Government work day" at S&W.
The grip frame and mainspring are pristine.
Jim
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Questions
Did all U.S. Navy Victory models ship to Oakland, Norfolk & Rosslyn, VA? Have any letters turned up showing different shipping destinations?
Just out of curiosity how and when did the Victory Database get started?
Did all U.S. Navy Victory models ship to Oakland, Norfolk & Rosslyn, VA? Have any letters turned up showing different shipping destinations?
Just out of curiosity how and when did the Victory Database get started?
ordnanceguy
Member
Hi Justin:
The great bulk, but not all, of the Victory and pre-Victory revolvers that shipped to the Navy shipped to either the Naval Supply Depot at Oakland, CA or the NSD at Norfolk, VA.
My pal and collaborator, LWCmdr45, is the originator of the VM Database. He invited me to get involved some years ago. I think I should allow him answer your last two questions since he was the guy who got the project off the ground.
Need help identifying recently purchased Victory
Hi. I bought a S&W Victory revolver yesterday with s/n 312951. Was wondering if you could tell me the date of manufacture/shipping? It looks like it got a repair in 1954 based on the FTR M\ 54 below the Made in USA. On the opposite side it is marked VEGA SAC CA. Any ideas on what this is? Thanks. Lee
Hi. I bought a S&W Victory revolver yesterday with s/n 312951. Was wondering if you could tell me the date of manufacture/shipping? It looks like it got a repair in 1954 based on the FTR M\ 54 below the Made in USA. On the opposite side it is marked VEGA SAC CA. Any ideas on what this is? Thanks. Lee
digi-shots
Member
Welcome to the forum!
Sounds like you have a .38 S&W ctg. Victory that was used by the Australians. These are different than standard .38 Special... you might want to check the cylinder and see if it is still .38 S&W and not reamed out for .38 special.
The "FTR" is their arsenal stamping - Factory Through Repair.
The VEGA (Sacramento, California) stamping sounds like the importers who brought the weapon back into the US.
I'm guessing the serial number you gave has a "V" letter prefix? If so, based on the serial number, it probably shipped in the summer of 1943. The only way to know for sure is to get it lettered.
Hope this helps!
Sounds like you have a .38 S&W ctg. Victory that was used by the Australians. These are different than standard .38 Special... you might want to check the cylinder and see if it is still .38 S&W and not reamed out for .38 special.
The "FTR" is their arsenal stamping - Factory Through Repair.
The VEGA (Sacramento, California) stamping sounds like the importers who brought the weapon back into the US.
I'm guessing the serial number you gave has a "V" letter prefix? If so, based on the serial number, it probably shipped in the summer of 1943. The only way to know for sure is to get it lettered.
Hope this helps!
DWalt
Member
I'd agree on the dating - V 312951 probably shipped June or July of 1943. It's very likely to be a British Commonwealth .38/200 Victory, originally chambered in .38 S&W. However, many of those had their chambers reamed out to accept .38 Special cartridges after the war. That destroys any collector value. Likewise, many were refinished and had their barrels shortened, which makes things even worse. So there's a lot we can't know about your Victory without some good pictures. Hopefully, yours escaped such a fate.
badshot48
Member
I recently found this Victory thread so I have one that I can add. There is nothing impressive about it, 38 S&W Special, been reblued at some point years ago but all the lettering is still pretty sharp, the lanyard ring has been cut off, and the grips are not original. There are no special markings and no US Property stamp. Maybe shipped to a civilian defense contractor? The serial number, V 447090, match butt, cylinder and under the barrel. I'm guessing this was shipped in the last quarter of 1943. I haven't sent for a letter because I don't believe the gun is that unique. I'm open to any input.
Dan
Dan
