Victory data base

[Shotguncoach]

A few more iPotato pics from the workbench....

 

[Absalom]

Jack:

I've never owned an SV prefix gun. Is it normal or odd that there is no SV in evidence on either the cylinder face or the underbarrel flat?

 

[JP@AK]

Yes. It is unusual. But, since this one was assembled in the months just after the war, someone obviously missed a step when applying the roll stamps.

 

[IT-Gunner]

Hello! I just purchased a Victory, it is s/n 453923. I believe this would put it around November 1943 from some of the other posts I've seen here?

V453923 on bottom of grip on frame
453923 on cylinder
Flaming Bomb - US Property - GHD on top of frame
-17-WB-S-HLBN on back of strap
WB-S-HLBN on left side of frame
4" Barrel .38 Special

Thanks!

S&W Victory .38 Special - Album on Imgur

 

[Absalom]

V453923 on bottom of grip on frame
453923 on cylinder
Flaming Bomb - US Property - GHD on top of frame
-17-WB-S-HLBN on back of strap
WB-S-HLBN on left side of frame

That is a standard military, likely Navy-shipped, Victory which was issued post-war to German police.

WB is the state of Württemberg-Baden and HLBN the city of Heilbronn. Having that marking in two locations is an oddity; usually it was only on the backstrap.

 

[hmorand]

A new one for the database

Hi group!

Here is a very nice example from Canada (RCAF). V331903

 

[Absalom]

Here is a very nice example from Canada (RCAF). V331903

Looks to be in very nice shape. Does it have any RCAF marking somewhere or do you have personal knowledge of the provenance?

 

[hmorand]

I have somewhere a piece of paper with the name of the pilot to whom it was issued to. Ive been looking everywhere for it and can't find it. From what I remember, it was issued late 1942 and came back with him in late war. It sat in a box until 2020 when it was given to me.

 

[soshuman]

I've had this Victory for years, but I've never dug into its details. I'm mainly just looking for the date of manufacture (I don't need value). I will try to attach photos... wish me luck. Some markings include:

Serial Number: V 350227 (matching on barrel & cylinder)
Top Strap: U.S. PROPERTY G.H.D.
Cartridge: 38 S&W SPECIAL CTG
No import markings, that I can find.

Thanks, CSM(R)

https://ibb.co/v1NsZmH
[url]https://ibb.co/GFGLdvJ[/url]
[url]https://ibb.co/P5dxqMk[/url]
https://ibb.co/tHRTkf4

 

[soshuman]

I've had this Victory for years, but I've never dug into its details. I'm mainly just looking for the date of manufacture (I don't need value). I will try to attach photos... wish me luck. Some markings include:

Serial Number: V 350227 (matching on barrel & cylinder)
Top Strap: U.S. PROPERTY G.H.D.
Cartridge: 38 S&W SPECIAL CTG
No import markings, that I can find.

Thanks, CSM(R)

https://ibb.co/v1NsZmH
[url]https://ibb.co/GFGLdvJ[/url]
[url]https://ibb.co/P5dxqMk[/url]
https://ibb.co/tHRTkf4

 

[Targets Guy]

V350991 shipped 7/1943. It has a 5" barrel.

 

[ordnanceguy]

I'm mainly just looking for the date of manufacture. Serial Number: V 350227

S&W did not record the date of manufacture, only shipping date. From the Victory Model Database I can estimate for you that your revolver likely shipped from the factory in July, 1943.

Hope that helps you.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[soshuman]

Thanks, ordnanceguy.

 

[Hoya74]

Here's a recently acquired S&W M&P pre-Victory s/n 893438.

 

[Absalom]

Here's a recently acquired S&W M&P pre-Victory s/n 893438.

Very nice. Thanks for the complete documentation. The gun belongs in the end phase of blued w/checkered stocks; I have DSC-direct shipped 910507 from Jan. 26 that shipped with utility finish and smooth walnut. Typo in your letter: price per invoice $23.79, same as given in my letter.

 

[montzsterww]

Hoping for some info on this one. This was my grandfathers I am not sure how long he owned it.

V2429 - hole is not drilled.

Nickel coated with bone or anter grip. 38 S&W special ctg barrell appears to be 5". Inside is stamped F6 47261.

Thank You.

 

[Muley Gil]

Hoping for some info on this one. This was my grandfathers I am not sure how long he owned it.

V2429 - hole is not drilled.

Nickel coated with bone or anter grip. 38 S&W special ctg barrell appears to be 5". Inside is stamped F6 47261.

Thank You.

Welcome to the Forum.

The hole for the lanyard loop has been plugged.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

You need to post some pictures of that one, especially the right side of the barrel and a shot into the cylinder chambers with lighting from the front of the gun so we can see into the chambers. Measure the barrel from the muzzle to the front of the cylinder. S&W wouldn't have made this in nickel with a filled lanyard swivel hole. So, work was done on it after it served its duty during WWII. Also, check the serial number is the same under the barrel on the extractor rod flat, on the breech face of the cylinder and on the butt of the gun.

 

[montzsterww]

You need to post some pictures of that one, especially the right side of the barrel and a shot into the cylinder chambers with lighting from the front of the gun so we can see into the chambers. Measure the barrel from the muzzle to the front of the cylinder. S&W wouldn't have made this in nickel with a filled lanyard swivel hole. So, work was done on it after it served its duty during WWII. Also, check the serial number is the same under the barrel on the extractor rod flat, on the breech face of the cylinder and on the butt of the gun.

Thank you for the replies.

I am going to post a few I took. Let me know if you have any questions or need any additions pics.

 

[montzsterww]

Thank you for the replies.

I am going to post a few I took. Let me know if you have any questions or need any additions pics.

I could not fit them all, sorry if this is spammy. I can edit if needed.

 

[Muley Gil]

It appears that this Victory model has had a 6" .38 special barrel fitted to it, sometime after WW II.

It started out as a British Service Revolver and the .38 S&W cylinder has been re-chambered to .38 special.

 

[montzsterww]

It appears that this Victory model has had a 6" .38 special barrel fitted to it, sometime after WW II.

It started out as a British Service Revolver and the .38 S&W cylinder has been re-chambered to .38 special.

I appreciate the information, thank you.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

What is the serial number under the barrel? Also, your gun is missing the extractor rod locking bolt, spring and pin. The gun will function ok without them but the cylinder would be more stable if you reinstalled them. You can find the parts at Gun Parts & Firearm Accessories | Numrich Gun Parts.

 

[montzsterww]

What is the serial number under the barrel? Also, your gun is missing the extractor rod locking bolt, spring and pin. The gun will function ok without them but the cylinder would be more stable if you reinstalled them. You can find the parts at Gun Parts & Firearm Accessories | Numrich Gun Parts.

I will look into this, thank you for the link.

There is an F6 stamped above the numbers 47261.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Those are assembly numbers and fitter or inspector's mark. What is the number under the barrel...if there is one?

 

[montzsterww]

Those are assembly numbers and fitter or inspector's mark. What is the number under the barrel...if there is one?

Unfortunately I do not see any numbers on the barrel. The only markings would be smith & Wesson on the left and 38 s&w special ctg on the right.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Well, no serial on the barrel confirms Gil's conclusion the barrel was replaced. That should improve the accuracy a bit. Enjoy your shooter!

 

[montzsterww]

Well, no serial on the barrel confirms Gil's conclusion the barrel was replaced. That should improve the accuracy a bit. Enjoy your shooter!

I appreciate all of the information. I plan on running a few rounds through this weekend. Any idea of the age based on the V number?

Thanks again.

 

[Absalom]

… Any idea of the age based on the V number?
.

A four-digit V serial puts the gun early in Victory production, mid-1942, maybe around June.

 

[daveduncan]

I have a 38 special victory and am wondering the year of manufacture. Under grips, V - 356021. What I am curious about is on right strap infront and ontop of trigger guard it reads MADE IN U.S.A. Also on right side there is the smith and wesson logo. US Property G.H.D on top left above cylinder. Any help would be greatly appreciated