Victory data base

[Sweep]

Hello I just picked up a Smith & Wesson K frame with the serial number v6640 nickel 2 inch all members match with and AO marking under the cylinder on the frame above the serial number where the crane closes any ideas ?

 

[DWalt]

Hello I just picked up a Smith & Wesson K frame with the serial number v6640 nickel 2 inch all members match with and AO marking under the cylinder on the frame above the serial number where the crane closes any ideas ?

It's almost certainly a chopped and bored WWII .38/200 Victory BSR from mid-1942. These were heavily modified when imported into the US from England in the 1950s and 1960s. Their value is minimal, and they have no collector interest. There has been a huge number of postings about these here, as they are extremely common.

 

[merl67]

Here is one for the database serial number V644085
has U.S.PROPERTY G.H.D. 38 spl all matching numbers came with holster marked Boyt 44

 

[Marine24]

Friend of mine's grandfather had this. Providence is unknown. It is a 2" barrel in nickel.

I know there were a few (very few) manufactured with the 2" barrel but unaware of any finished in nickel other than the post war "SV" serial models.

Debating on getting it lettered but wanted to see what others had to say.

I'll get more pictures and will have a chance to look at in person on Sunday. Not sure if someone shortened the barrel on this one or if it is an original 2" barrel model that someone refinished.



Serial number placement was unexpected. I'm used to seeing them on the grip but all numbers match. Serial number is V581528.

 

[merl67]

Marine24
Barrel has been shortened. The front lug was cut off when this was done. serial number should be on the butt of the grip frame. Original finish would most likely been Black magic or parkerised. Grips would have been smooth walnut. May have been originally 38 S&W but rechambered to 38 Special. The letters on these don't generally tell you much about them.

 

[Marine24]

Merl,

Thanks. Expected as much. Friend was seeing plum fairies thinking this was an original 2" DOJ issue but things weren't adding up.

Mike

 

[DWalt]

Definitely not worth bothering with a letter - a typical chopped, bored, and plated .38/200 Victory. What it's worth is whatever someone is willing to pay for a shooter. That one was probably shipped in May 1944.

 

[brigham33]

Another Pre-Victory

I found the below pre-victory to add my safe. I figure about Dec of 1941 or Jan of 1942 shipping. I'll request a letter to see where it went and post results when I get it back. Grips are numbered & match. Serial is 898176 and the blue looks to be original - yes, 38 Special.

 

[DWalt]

Your dating is about right. I assume it is .38 Special, and if so it was probably civilian, not military. A very nice specimen.

 

[goldwinghg]

Victory value

Looking at al the pictures of the victory models. Makes me think I rated the one I have to low. I had it rated at 50%. I believe it should be more around 75 to 80%. This being said. It is all matching numbers,minus the grips. Doesn't have the original grips,but it does have the diamond walnut grips. Has a P stamp on the btm. Of the barrel, and side cover. Nothing stamped on the top,other than the patient dates. The gun belongs to a friend,and I am trying to help him figure out what it is worth. Any help would be appreciated. I have pictures on my one, but can't download to the site. I can't send you a coupe of pictures, if you will send me you email address,or cell number.

 

[Panasoffkee]

I bought a Victory and it's ssn is 655183 and it's a five inch US Property GHD on left strap and P on left side plate. The gun is nickel plated with smooth grips it's a 38 S&W. Any info would be appreciated . Thanks

 

[DWalt]

I bought a Victory and it's ssn is 655183 and it's a five inch US Property GHD on left strap and P on left side plate. The gun is nickel plated with smooth grips it's a 38 S&W. Any info would be appreciated . Thanks

I must assume the SN has a V-prefix. That would date shipment to August-September, 1944. However, as it is nickel plated it is not original. Additionally, there is a high probability that the .38 S&W chambers have been bored to accept .38 S&W ammunition, and while you do not provide a barrel length, if it is shorter than 5", it has been cut shorter. Such Victories are very common, having been modified by various surplus arms importers during the 1950s and 1960s to sell at very low prices on the US market. They have no collectible value and little monetary value, maybe $150.

 

[brigham33]

Letter back on pre-Victory 974071. Shipped 29 April 1942 to the Austin Co, Austin TX. Latter states smooth grips and brush blue finish. (Looks like the "black finish" to me.) It has the standard 4" barrel and is 38 Special, as I recall I pictured it previously.

In my informal survey of pre victories, it seem to be that as a rough guide March shipments were blue with checkered grips and April were black (brushed blue?) with smooth grips.

 

[kwill1911]

Letter back on pre-Victory 974071. Shipped 29 April 1942 to the Austin Co, Austin TX. Latter states smooth grips and brush blue finish. (Looks like the "black finish" to me.) It has the standard 4" barrel and is 38 Special, as I recall I pictured it previously.

In my informal survey of pre victories, it seem to be that as a rough guide March shipments were blue with checkered grips and April were black (brushed blue?) with smooth grips.

There must be a very interesting story behind this shipment since it was after the implementation of the limitation order freezing the commercial sale of guns. And I wonder what the Austin Co. is? I wonder if it was the Austin Co of Texas Rangers.

Regards,
Kevin Williams

 

[ordnanceguy]

There must be a very interesting story behind this shipment since it was after the implementation of the limitation order freezing the commercial sale of guns. And I wonder what the Austin Co. is? I wonder if it was the Austin Co of Texas Rangers.

Kevin:

The Texas Ranger connection might be right. Allow me to suggest another alternative. The letter may refer to the Austin Powder Company, a major maker of explosives. It certainly needed protection during WW2 and would have qualified as a recipient of DSC guns. Again, I don't know about 1942 but I see that Austin Powder currently has operations in Texas, including at Georgetown and at New Braunfels, on either side of Austin. Just a WAG, of course.

 

[DWalt]

Probably not Austin Powder in Austin TX, but there may have been other Austin Companies there. The Austin Powder Company history does not mention having any manufacturing operations located outside of Ohio during the WWII period. But there may have been Austin Powder Company warehousing or shipping depots in other parts of the country. Their only current Texas manufacturing location given is in Brownsville, at the southern tip of Texas. Since 1935 (and at present), there have been six Texas Ranger Companies, lettered A thru F, no Austin Company.

 

[finloq]

One more:
4" barrel
SN# V605866
.38 S&W CTG
Made in USA on frame right side
'P' on frame left side before barrel

No military markings or foreign ownership markings. No police markings. Nor any sign that such markings have been removed.

 

[DWalt]

One more:
4" barrel
SN# V605866
.38 S&W CTG
Made in USA on frame right side
'P' on frame left side before barrel

No military markings or foreign ownership markings. No police markings. Nor any sign that such markings have been removed.

Barrel length and caliber stamping do not match. .38 S&W caliber would imply a 5" barrel. .38 S&W Special would imply a 4" barrel. Sure it's not a .38 S&W Special? That would be more consistent with a lack of markings. Shipment would be ca. June 1944.

 

[finloq]

You are right, sorry I am working under the descriptions and pictures of another.

 

[DWalt]

I don't understand how a .38/200 from that time wouldn't have the normal "U. S. Property" stamp on the topstrap unless it has been removed during refinishing (and it does appear to have possibly been refinished). But at least we now know that it does have a 5" barrel length which is consistent with a .38/200 BSR. Perhaps it is a replacement barrel on another frame. Does the barrel SN (on the flat above the extractor rod) match that on the frame and on the rear face of the cylinder? Have you attempted to chamber a .38 S&W Special cartridge to see if it can be completely inserted?