Victory data base

[kfields]

Hello Kim:

I'd say that you got a heck of a deal on that one.

From the Database I would estimate that your revolver likely shipped in the January-February, 1943 time frame, so you were close.

You asked for additional comments. I can also say that your Victory was shipped under Army Contract W-478-ORD-3091. 20,000 guns were provided by S&W under this contract at a unit price of $28. When this contract was completed the left top strap U.S. NAVY marking disappeared and was replaced with ð U.S. PROPERTY G.H.D., so in that sense your revolver as one of those under contract 3091 was the last of the NAVY-marked breed.

The Civil Defense marking is a post-war addition after the gun left Navy service.

Nice gun. Hope this info is helpful to you.

Regards.
Charlie

Thanks Charlie. I really appreciate the information. Kim

 

[rwy333]

I posted this in the hand ejector thread and after I saw this thread I thought the OP might like the info.


S/N V694503
Barrel 4"
Fixed sights
Stamping - ð U.S. PROPERTY G.H.D.

 

[ordnanceguy]

I thought the OP might like the info.
S/N V694503
Barrel 4"
Fixed sights
Stamping - ð U.S. PROPERTY G.H.D.

Thank you, RWY. The information on your Victory has been added to the Victory Model Database.

From the Database I can estimate for you that your revolver likely shipped from the factory in the September-October, 1944 time frame.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[Shark Bait]

I have a Navy marked victory model, V196771. Anything you can tell me about it?

 

[ordnanceguy]

I have a Navy marked victory model, V196771. Anything you can tell me about it?

Sure. Nice looking Navy you have there. Is the left top strap marked U.S. NAVY?

From the Database I can estimate for you that your revolver likely shipped from the factory in the December, 1942 to January, 1943 time frame.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[Shark Bait]

Sure. Nice looking Navy you have there. Is the left top strap marked U.S. NAVY?

From the Database I can estimate for you that your revolver likely shipped from the factory in the December, 1942 to January, 1943 time frame.

Regards,
Charlie

Thanks Charlie. Yes, it is marked US NAVY on the top strap.

 

[angelmonk]

Serial V 724926 5 inch barrel

Right grip, frame butt, Cylinder, extractor star, and bottom of barrel matching V 724926.

Crane, crane access, side plate, matching 87406.

Welcome insight on whether this is a British land lease one (but still chamber 38 S&W and not the 200) and all other background info you can deduce.

* Full Picture Album with all components details *
Album — Postimages

 

[JP@AK]

Welcome insight on whether this is a British land lease one (but still chamber 38 S&W and not the 200) and all other background info you can deduce.

Yes, it is a British Service Revolver, sent to the UK under the Lend/Lease Act.

For all intents and purposes, the .38 S&W is the .38/200 regardless of what bullet weight was used. The Brits called it the .380 Revolver cartridge.

With that serial number, it is a rather late BSR. It probably shipped late in the year 1944, possibly early in 1945. Charlie might be able to pin it down more closely.

One issue is that in January, 1945, S&W started shipping the modified version with the new sliding hammer block safety and the serial number would have started with SV. But I'm not aware of any of those that were BSRs. Moreover, shipments to England stopped at about the same time.

 

[willbrad35]

Serial V 664350 4 inch barrel

Greetings! New to the forum here. Just picked up a couple Victory models and would like to add them to the database and also get more info about them. Any additional information someone could provide would be greatly appreciated! Posting pics of the first one. Will post pics of the second one once I have cleaned her up : )

 

[ordnanceguy]

With that serial number, it is a rather late BSR. It probably shipped late in the year 1944, possibly early in 1945. Charlie might be able to pin it down more closely.

On V724926 I would place the likely ship date as November, 1944.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[ordnanceguy]

Hello Willbrad35:

Welcome to the Forum.

That is a nice looking Victory V664350 you have there. A clean machine.

From the Victory Database I can estimate for you that your revolver likely shipped in the August 1944 time frame. Chances are strong that it shipped to the U.S. Navy.

Hope that helps you.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[willbrad35]

Hello Willbrad35:

Welcome to the Forum.

That is a nice looking Victory V664350 you have there. A clean machine.

From the Victory Database I can estimate for you that your revolver likely shipped in the August 1944 time frame. Chances are strong that it shipped to the U.S. Navy.

Hope that helps you.

Regards,
Charlie

Thanks for the info Charlie! Based on some other (likely incorrect) info I had gathered myself, I was thinking late 1943, so I am definitely appreciative of getting a more accurate likely ship date.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[angelmonk]

Yes, it is a British Service Revolver, sent to the UK under the Lend/Lease Act.

For all intents and purposes, the .38 S&W is the .38/200 regardless of what bullet weight was used. The Brits called it the .380 Revolver cartridge.

With that serial number, it is a rather late BSR. It probably shipped late in the year 1944, possibly early in 1945. Charlie might be able to pin it down more closely.

One issue is that in January, 1945, S&W started shipping the modified version with the new sliding hammer block safety and the serial number would have started with SV. But I'm not aware of any of those that were BSRs. Moreover, shipments to England stopped at about the same time.

Thanks Jack ! Charlie, do you have a more precise pin on the manufacturing month/year ?

 

[ordnanceguy]

Thanks Jack ! Charlie, do you have a more precise pin on the manufacturing month/year ?

On V724926 I would place the likely ship date as November, 1944.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[VictoryFL]

Looking for details on a Victory 38, in 38 Special, with no markings. There is no GHD, no "US Property", or "US Navy" on the top strap. Serial is in the 6094xx range. Has the "V" prefix.

 

[s&wchad]

Looking for details on a Victory 38, in 38 Special, with no markings. There is no GHD, no "US Property", or "US Navy" on the top strap. Serial is in the 6094xx range. Has the "V" prefix.

Welcome aboard!
It sounds like you have a DSC gun (Defense Supply Corporation). That was the agency that supplied guns to law enforcement and military contractors during wartime production. These are interesting guns and worthy of a factory letter.

Yours probably has the flaming bomb acceptance mark on the butt.

 

[Rakkasan13F]

A couple weeks ago, I found a non-U.S. Property marked Victory model in the Gun Library at the Cabela's in Huntsville, AL. It was wearing a set of target grips, rather than the smooth service grips and, of course, had no lanyard ring. It was priced at $449.99, which I thought was great, especially given the value of the grips.

I'm a TN resident, so I had it shipped to the Bass Pro in Nashville and picked it up yesterday. In the meantime, I ordered a set of period correct grips and a reproduction lanyard ring from Numrich, which cost me about $50, total. The right grip has a small piece missing towards the top, but I think their condition pretty well matches the rough overall condition of the gun, itself.

With my military discount, the cost of the replacement grips, sales tax, and the TN background check fee, I'm into the gun for about $530, give or take a few dollars. The target grips are now on a Model 15 from my collection.

 

[campbellvdk]

I have another Victory to add to the data base. S/N: V454359 F
Additional Info:
Top of Frame Stamped: U.S Property GHD
Barrel Stamped: .38 S&W CTG F

 

[Arisaka99]

Pre-Victory unmarked

I have a 4”, .38 Special pre-victory SN 932417 on the way. Pre-war style checkered logo grips; finish is blued but unsure if it is carbonia blued or the brushed dip blue used around this SN range? No government markings shown in any of the photos (butt or top strap). Any info or things to look at?

 

[ordnanceguy]

I have a 4”, .38 Special pre-victory SN 932417 on the way. Pre-war style checkered logo grips; finish is blued but unsure if it is carbonia blued or the brushed dip blue used around this SN range? No government markings shown in any of the photos (butt or top strap). Any info or things to look at?

Hello Arisaka:

Your revolver likely shipped from the factory in the March, 1942 time frame. Given your description my guess is that it was shipped as a Defense Supplies Corporation gun.

Perhaps when you get it you will take and post some pics of it here. Photos may reveal additional information.

Regards,
Charlie