Victory data base

[KEN L]

Some pics would be most helpful, but sounds like you have a standard Victory model that most likely shipped in July 1943. Have you removed the grips to see if they are numbered to the gun?

 

[DWalt]

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

Standard typical markings on a Victory from that time period (mid-1943).

 

[shamuscull]

My contribution to the database. Ser#V502xxx. Have put on proper grips since photos.

 

[Ameshawki]

V201083. Standard four inch, 38 Special. I suspect a DSC gun, belonged to a long time deputy in the area. Someone engraved his name and badge number on it, I imagine when he retired. Adds a bit of history to it. Last I knew he was still alive and living in an assisted living home just up the street from me. I'm thinking late '42.

Also have a UK Victory, V579739. Standard five inch. I'm thinking 1944.

 

[Absalom]

V201083. Standard four inch, 38 Special. I suspect a DSC gun, belonged to a long time deputy in the area. Someone engraved his name and badge number on it, I imagine when he retired. Adds a bit of history to it. Last I knew he was still alive and living in an assisted living home just up the street from me. I'm thinking late '42.

Also have a UK Victory, V579739. Standard five inch. I'm thinking 1944.

Around Jan. 1943 on the first one, April/May 1944 on the second one.

If the guy is indeed still alive whose name and badge no. is on the US Victory, you can enhance the resale value to collectors by documenting the gun's use, like department, times, maybe get a photo from the guy's active duty days. Collectors love that kind of provenance, especially if it provides context for otherwise meaningless personalized scratchings on a gun.

 

[Ameshawki]

Around Jan. 1943 on the first one, April/May 1944 on the second one.

If the guy is indeed still alive whose name and badge no. is on the US Victory, you can enhance the resale value to collectors by documenting the gun's use, like department, times, maybe get a photo from the guy's active duty days. Collectors love that kind of provenance, especially if it provides context for otherwise meaningless personalized scratchings on a gun.

Thanks for the information.

 

[Skiffer]

My contribution to the data base is V194119. Marked US Navy on the top left strap. Shipped from the factory Monday, January 4, 1943 to Norfolk, VA.

 

[ordnanceguy]

My contribution to the data base is V194119. Marked US Navy on the top left strap. Shipped from the factory Monday, January 4, 1943 to Norfolk, VA.

Got it. Now added to the Database. Thank you, Skiffer.

 

[hkpv70z]

Here is one for the DB. Parkerized, 38S&W short.

 

[JeffreyJ5]

Hello, All! I'm considering the purchase of a S&W Victory Model in .38 S&W Special listed as a "1942" production. Serial Number V7655. I've included a link to some photos I've taken of the gun in hopes of getting information on the gun. The serial numbers seem to match in all the correct spots (including the grips).

Any information would be greatly appreciated! Looking for possible ship date and destination among any other information available. Also looking for some insight as to if $450.00 is a reasonable price.

Thanks in advance!

Photo Album : S&W Victory - Google Photos

Edit: I pulled the trigger (pun intended) on the firearm, but still looking for info! Once I get it cleaned up, I'll follow up with better photographs for the database!

 

[Absalom]

Hello, All! I'm considering the purchase of a S&W Victory Model in .38 S&W Special listed as a "1942" production. Serial Number V7655.
….. The serial numbers seem to match in all the correct spots (including the grips).
…. Also looking for some insight as to if $450.00 is a reasonable price.
….

From what I see, it's an all-original Victory in good condition. A four-digit V-serial would indeed put production in mid-1942, maybe June (+/-).

These days, $450 for this gun is quite reasonable, given condition, originality, completeness, and matching numbers.

You don't mention a property stamp on the topstrap. If there is none, it highly likely was a DSC contract Victory that went to a police department or defense-related industry guards; the noticeable holster rub on the barrel side indicates lots of trips into and out of a holster.

 

[Noob1129]

Hello. Just inherited this 38 special navy victory V241032

 

[AJ]

Hello. Just inherited this 38 special navy victory V241032

Looks to be missing a lanyard ring.

 

[scottz63]

S&W Victory Model US NAVY Marked Serial #V219849

Posting this for a friend over on the Colt forums that forgot his log in info. He would like to know the year it was made and what the elctropencil numbers are. My guess is the first half of 1943.

Thanks, Scott


Pics in the next post

 

[scottz63]

Pics of it.

 

[scottz63]

Last ones.

 

[Store922]

S & W Victory S/n V470515

Any info would be great!

 

[ordnanceguy]

S&W Victory Model US NAVY Marked Serial #V219849. Posting this for a friend over on the Colt forums that forgot his log in info. He would like to know the year it was made and what the elctropencil numbers are. My guess is the first half of 1943.

Hi Scott:

Thanks for posting the pics. From the Database I can estimate for your friend that his Navy Victory likely shipped from the factory in the January, 1943 time frame.

The electropenciled number is a puzzler. I suspect it is a number that was added after the gun left military service as it is atypical for Navy small arms of WW2.

HTH.

Charlie

 

[scottz63]

Thank you. I think it might be a Police evidence number?

 

[Absalom]

Thank you. I think it might be a Police evidence number?

That's unlikely; they tend to be longer and more complex. I think it's either a badge number or a simple inventory number. Whatever organization got the gun post-war had to be big if they had at least 17052 guns to number

 

[scottz63]

Thanks! A badge number is a good possibility.

 

[Absalom]

Scott:

Two additional observations:

1. The sideplate has the S for the new hammer block safety. If the plate is original to the gun, it was part of the May 1945 Navy refurbishment contract of 40,000 guns. There does not seem to be the added S on the barrel flat; is it present on the butt (not visible in photo)?

2. The metal has a weird shinyness to it. Especially the butt. Overall the finish looks original, so I don't know what would cause that.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Any info would be great!

Hello Store:

Your Victory likely shipped from the factory in the December 1943 to January 1944 time frame. It is a Lend Lease gun and as such it likely shipped to the Hartford Ordnance Depot in Springfield, Mass. It bears post-war British commercial proof marks applied after it left military service.

HTH.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[scottz63]

Scott:

Two additional observations:

1. The sideplate has the S for the new hammer block safety. If the plate is original to the gun, it was part of the May 1945 Navy refurbishment contract of 40,000 guns. There does not seem to be the added S on the barrel flat; is it present on the butt (not visible in photo)?

2. The metal has a weird shinyness to it. Especially the butt. Overall the finish looks original, so I don't know what would cause that.

Yes, there is an S on the butt. Thanks!

 

[Hoya74]

Recently picked up V508,708 on the CMP Forums. Note the "W" on the butt. I'll post the S&W letter when it arrives.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Hi Denny:

Nice to see you over here. I usually see you on the Colt Forum.

Thanks for posting the pics of your new Victory. Your forthcoming SWHF letter will, of course, give you a precise ship date and destination. Until then from the Victory Model Database I can estimate for you that your revolver likely shipped in the January-March, 1944 time frame.

When you get your letter I hope that you will post back here with the results.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[Hoya74]

When you get your letter I hope that you will post back here with the results.

Charlie,

Here's the S&WHF letter for V508,708, not what I expected.

 

[mlin]

My Victory with Jeep connection. January 1, 1943 shipment date.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Hi Denny:

Thanks for posting your letter on V508708. It helps the Database.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[RacingSnake]

Just picked this one up today. Early shipment directly to the Union of South Africa. Notice the Union Defense Force mark on the backstrap. Shown with correct issue holster marked 1942, belt and an Africa Star campaign medal, which was awarded to all British and Commonwealth personnel who fought in African theatre of operations.