ordnanceguy
Member
Hi Nick:
I am not seeing any images here, although your post implies that there are some. Perhaps it is just me and my computer. Would you mind checking to see if your images are showing up? Would love to see them.
Thanks.
Charlie
Victory data base
- Thread starter zonker5
- Start date
Hi Nick:
I am not seeing any images here, although your post implies that there are some. Perhaps it is just me and my computer. Would you mind checking to see if your images are showing up? Would love to see them.
Thanks.
Charlie
ordnanceguy
Member
Yes, Nick. I can see the pics now. And what a beautiful example that is! Very handsome indeed.
Thanks for the post.
Regards,
Charlie
Thanks for the post.
Regards,
Charlie
S&W .38 V110774
Hi
I need a little bit of help.. I am from South Africa.. I have recently bought a firearm that I want to find out more information about.. Its a Smith and Wesson .38 CTG revolver (6 shot), serial number V110774 (Barrel and Grip).. It has a crown with BNP in a few places on the firearm.. I'd like to know manufacturer date, model number or any other history regarding the firearm..
Also, on the firearm, it says .38, not .38 special.. Yet, the firearm dealer that I bought it from says it's a .38 special.. When I fired 6 rounds, they went off perfectly BUT the used brass cartridges did not want to come out, I had to tap them out with a hammer and screwdriver and 1 of the brass casings was torn..
Thank you
Hi
I need a little bit of help.. I am from South Africa.. I have recently bought a firearm that I want to find out more information about.. Its a Smith and Wesson .38 CTG revolver (6 shot), serial number V110774 (Barrel and Grip).. It has a crown with BNP in a few places on the firearm.. I'd like to know manufacturer date, model number or any other history regarding the firearm..
Also, on the firearm, it says .38, not .38 special.. Yet, the firearm dealer that I bought it from says it's a .38 special.. When I fired 6 rounds, they went off perfectly BUT the used brass cartridges did not want to come out, I had to tap them out with a hammer and screwdriver and 1 of the brass casings was torn..
Thank you
Welcome to the forums from the cotton and peanut covered plains of the Wiregrass! You have a .38 Military & Police, British Service Revolver from WWII. It was likely made in 1942. S&W made them in 4", 5" and 6" barrel lengths, but most were 5". It was originally chambered for .38 S&W. You should still be able to shoot that cartridge (CTG) even though the chambers have been reamed. It should be easier to extract the spent casings for that cartridge.
Slack-Jawed-Yokel
Member
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2022
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 23
Recent acquisition, appears unfired, but I don't know if it's original finish. Matching serial (V650407) on butt, barrel, cylinder, right grip. Letter showed up incredibly fast.
Anyone know what company/agency was in the Thayer Building in Oakland during WW2?
ordnanceguy
Member
Hello Slack:
Welcome to the Forum.
You have an interesting 2 inch Victory there. As you may know, there were very few 2 inch Victory revolvers manufactured during WW2. They don't come up often. Fortunately, you already have the S&WHF letter which authenticates your revolver as a genuine 2 incher. Most of the 2 inchers in your serial number range went to law enforcement agencies.
I think that you are correct in suspecting that the finish is a re-finish. There are several tell tale signs in your photos which so indicate, although an eyeball examination is always to be preferred.
I can't offer much help in answering your question as to what was going on in Room 442 at the Thayer Building in Oakland in 1944. The Forum has some real sleuths quite skilled in chasing down information like that. Perhaps another member has the search mojo to answer your question.
I can offer you the following speculation based on the flimsy evidence accumulated during 10 ten minutes of poking around the web.
A man named Harold J. Cotter was reported in the NY Times to have died at age 57 of a heart ailment in September, 1949. He would have been 52 in 1944. He was reported to have been a manager for giant industrial glass maker Libbey-Owens-Ford. I noticed that during WW2 L-O-F had a factory located in Lathrop, California, just about 60 miles east of Oakland. L-O-F was a major defense contractor and, thus, would easily have qualified for DSC authorization to purchase small arms like a 2 inch Victory. Whether your Mr. Cotter was the same fellow and whether he had any reason for an office in downtown Oakland at the time is, again, open to speculation. Of course, Oakland and the greater San Francisco Bay area was a hive of defense work during the War including the nearby Mare Island Navy Yard.
By the way, the Thayer Building was a 5 story brick edifice constructed in 1908. It was located at the southeast corner of 14th Street and Jefferson. It was still there as of 1958 but has since been demolished. The image below shows it as it appeared in 1958.
You might check with the local historical society in Oakland to see if they can help with more information on Thayer Building occupants during the War.
Thanks for posting your interesting Victory.
Regards.
Charlie
Welcome to the Forum.
You have an interesting 2 inch Victory there. As you may know, there were very few 2 inch Victory revolvers manufactured during WW2. They don't come up often. Fortunately, you already have the S&WHF letter which authenticates your revolver as a genuine 2 incher. Most of the 2 inchers in your serial number range went to law enforcement agencies.
I think that you are correct in suspecting that the finish is a re-finish. There are several tell tale signs in your photos which so indicate, although an eyeball examination is always to be preferred.
I can't offer much help in answering your question as to what was going on in Room 442 at the Thayer Building in Oakland in 1944. The Forum has some real sleuths quite skilled in chasing down information like that. Perhaps another member has the search mojo to answer your question.
I can offer you the following speculation based on the flimsy evidence accumulated during 10 ten minutes of poking around the web.
A man named Harold J. Cotter was reported in the NY Times to have died at age 57 of a heart ailment in September, 1949. He would have been 52 in 1944. He was reported to have been a manager for giant industrial glass maker Libbey-Owens-Ford. I noticed that during WW2 L-O-F had a factory located in Lathrop, California, just about 60 miles east of Oakland. L-O-F was a major defense contractor and, thus, would easily have qualified for DSC authorization to purchase small arms like a 2 inch Victory. Whether your Mr. Cotter was the same fellow and whether he had any reason for an office in downtown Oakland at the time is, again, open to speculation. Of course, Oakland and the greater San Francisco Bay area was a hive of defense work during the War including the nearby Mare Island Navy Yard.
By the way, the Thayer Building was a 5 story brick edifice constructed in 1908. It was located at the southeast corner of 14th Street and Jefferson. It was still there as of 1958 but has since been demolished. The image below shows it as it appeared in 1958.
You might check with the local historical society in Oakland to see if they can help with more information on Thayer Building occupants during the War.
Thanks for posting your interesting Victory.
Regards.
Charlie
New here help to ID V7475
Hey all, I recently inherited some pistols and random tthings from my Grandpa. He had a S & W. 38 revolver with what appears to be a serial number of V7475. Nothing on top I could see and a WB it appears on bottom. Its very worn and old looking. Wanted to fire it but want to verify age and caliber first if possible. Trying to add pic link of bottom of handle.
Last edited:
Slack-Jawed-Yokel
Member
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2022
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 23
And a couple more 4" Victory models: 423234 & 247968
I have not researched either gun. If you have encountered either serial number or have any shipping destination info please let me know. Thanks!
I have not researched either gun. If you have encountered either serial number or have any shipping destination info please let me know. Thanks!
Last edited:
ordnanceguy
Member
Slack:
In trying to help you it would help me to know if there are any left top strap markings and/or markings on the butt (other than the serial number which includes the V). Let me know and I will be able to offer you some information on your revolvers.
Regards,
Charlie
In trying to help you it would help me to know if there are any left top strap markings and/or markings on the butt (other than the serial number which includes the V). Let me know and I will be able to offer you some information on your revolvers.
Regards,
Charlie
Mike4MSU
Member
Inherited S&W Victory
I know my dad bought this through the old DCM program while at Camp Perry in Ohio. I am looking for any information about it and when it was manufactured. It has no US Property markings but is S/N V120396. Let me know if you'd like more detailed photos. It came with a brown flap holster. Thanks.
I know my dad bought this through the old DCM program while at Camp Perry in Ohio. I am looking for any information about it and when it was manufactured. It has no US Property markings but is S/N V120396. Let me know if you'd like more detailed photos. It came with a brown flap holster. Thanks.
Last edited:
ordnanceguy
Member
Hello Mike:
Your Victory V120396 likely shipped from the factory in the October, 1942 time frame. Note that during the war the factory did not record manufacturing dates but did record shipping dates.
Is there an Ordnance bomb symbol marked on the bottom of the butt near the lanyard ring?
Hope this helps you.
Regards,
Charlie
Your Victory V120396 likely shipped from the factory in the October, 1942 time frame. Note that during the war the factory did not record manufacturing dates but did record shipping dates.
Is there an Ordnance bomb symbol marked on the bottom of the butt near the lanyard ring?
Hope this helps you.
Regards,
Charlie
Mike4MSU
Member
Thaks Charlie!
I'm trying to attach more detailed photos. I didn't think there was an Ordnance bomb on the bottom of the butt, but there is. Hopefully the photos show...
Thank you and would love to know any more info. I know with out the US Property marking, it was not in military service, but likely used in a critical support role for the war effort.
Regards,
Mike
Mike4MSU
Member
More
Mike4MSU
Member
More
Mike4MSU
Member
Last
ordnanceguy
Member
Hi Mike:
Thanks for the pics. Nice Victory.
From the Victory Model Database it would appear likely that your Victory was not a military issued piece. Rather, it more likely was sent to a DSC authorized recipient such as a defense manufacturer or law enforcement agency. There is also a fair chance that it was shipped to the U.S. Maritime Commission. Only a letter from the Historical Foundation would be able to tell you it's shipping destination to a certainty.
HTH.
Regards,
Charlie
Thanks for the pics. Nice Victory.
From the Victory Model Database it would appear likely that your Victory was not a military issued piece. Rather, it more likely was sent to a DSC authorized recipient such as a defense manufacturer or law enforcement agency. There is also a fair chance that it was shipped to the U.S. Maritime Commission. Only a letter from the Historical Foundation would be able to tell you it's shipping destination to a certainty.
HTH.
Regards,
Charlie
tenntex32
Member
I would love to have an example such as this to go with my South African marked Savage made No4 MkI*!
Nice, thanks for sharing it!
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2012
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
Victory serial number. Any information on year made
964614. 5" Australian markings.
964614. 5" Australian markings.
ordnanceguy
Member
Mayralphie:
Your revolver likely shipped from the factory in the April-May, 1942 time frame.
A few questions. Does it have Australian FTR markings? Importer markings? What kind of stocks? Has it been refinished? Does the top strap have "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marked there?
Regards,
Charlie
Your revolver likely shipped from the factory in the April-May, 1942 time frame.
A few questions. Does it have Australian FTR markings? Importer markings? What kind of stocks? Has it been refinished? Does the top strap have "UNITED STATES PROPERTY" marked there?
Regards,
Charlie
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2012
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 0
Can you help me with serial number 964614 5" barrel United States Property marked. FTR 55 D arrow D on frame.
- Joined
- May 18, 2014
- Messages
- 4
- Reaction score
- 4
Attachments
ordnanceguy
Member
Hello Skinned:
Your Victory likely shipped from the factory in the May-August, 1944 time frame. Hope that helps you.
Regards,
Charlie
Your Victory likely shipped from the factory in the May-August, 1944 time frame. Hope that helps you.
Regards,
Charlie
ordnanceguy
Member
Mayralphie:
As mentioned in my earlier comment your pre-Victory was likely shipped from the factory in the April-May, 1942 time frame. It was a Lend Lease gun that ended up in Australia where it underwent a thorough rebuild in 1955. Quite a few of these Aussie guns were brought back to the USA in the 1990's. There is most likely an importer's mark on the left frame below the cylinder window.
I hope that additional info is helpful to you.
Regards,
Charlie
Wrangler Rich
US Veteran
I have V413463 , 38 S&W CTG, 5" barrel, with matching numbers in the appropriate places. With the "ordinance bomb" followed by U.S.Property G.H.D. On the left hand side of the top strap. On the left hand side of the revolver it is stamped, Cal. .38 special, and A/l\F .
Non number matching era correct smooth stocks. It also has the original hammer block safety.
WR
Non number matching era correct smooth stocks. It also has the original hammer block safety.
WR
Last edited:
CaptainDoRight
Member
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2023
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 21
Another Victory for data base
I am cleaning up a S&W Victory for a friend. It has serial number V298548 in the various places where those numbers are usually stamped (including on the back side of the extractor). The letter S is added to some of those numbers. There is a separate number, 53344, stamped on the frame under the yoke and the same number with an added s on the underside of the yoke. Since the part of the frame under the yoke is a fixed part of the frame, I am not sure what the extra number is for.
The finish is in pretty bad condition, but the cylinders and barrel are reasonably clean.
All the pictures I have of it exceed the max size allowed for attachments, so I will try to get them reduced in file size by reducing the resolution.
The top strap has the ordinance bomb and "U.S. Property G.H.D." The grips have the same serial # on the inside. The barrel has ".38 S.&W. SPECIAL CTG" on the right side. It is a "five screw" model.
I am cleaning up a S&W Victory for a friend. It has serial number V298548 in the various places where those numbers are usually stamped (including on the back side of the extractor). The letter S is added to some of those numbers. There is a separate number, 53344, stamped on the frame under the yoke and the same number with an added s on the underside of the yoke. Since the part of the frame under the yoke is a fixed part of the frame, I am not sure what the extra number is for.
The finish is in pretty bad condition, but the cylinders and barrel are reasonably clean.
All the pictures I have of it exceed the max size allowed for attachments, so I will try to get them reduced in file size by reducing the resolution.
The top strap has the ordinance bomb and "U.S. Property G.H.D." The grips have the same serial # on the inside. The barrel has ".38 S.&W. SPECIAL CTG" on the right side. It is a "five screw" model.
Last edited:
ordnanceguy
Member
Hello Wrangler:
Thanks for posting your data. From the Victory Model Database I would say that your revolver likely shipped from the factory in the September, 1943 time frame. As you may know, the A/|\F marking indicates previous ownership by the Australian armed forces.
HTH.
Regards,
Charlie
fiasconva
US Veteran
You know, I see these pictures of the original finish on the pre-Victories and for the life of me can't figure out why someone would re-blue the finish on the one I inherited.
leicanthrope
Member
Just picked up this "Pre-Victory", and would be interested to see what insights the experts here might be able to add.
Also, what does the "P" stamped on the yoke indicate? Is that a military acceptance mark, or something else entirely?
(Disclaimer: The grips are not original to the gun. I believe they're the correct type though. The ones that came with it were clearly anachronistic.)
Also, what does the "P" stamped on the yoke indicate? Is that a military acceptance mark, or something else entirely?
(Disclaimer: The grips are not original to the gun. I believe they're the correct type though. The ones that came with it were clearly anachronistic.)
