Victory (Lend Lease) is mine!

[Absalom]

Interesting, so the finish is like Parkerizing but not exactly due to trademarks?

The exact timeline has been subject to some debate over the years, especially since the terminology back then, and as a result in the history letters, is not consistent.

The general consensus emerging is that after switching from polished Carbonia blue to a "brush blue" around December 1941, the company adopted the black oxide process called Black Magic and patented by Hubbard-Hall with just sandblast prep around April and used this through the end of production in 1945; wartime documents that I've seen just call it "sandblast". That's what your gun has.

The actual "Parkerizing" was an experiment limited to 2187 guns (DSC only) in May/June 1942. Details are sketchy, but my suspicion would be that the licensing cost more than the BM but it wasn't found to offer any advantages, so it was discontinued.

In older threads you'll find stories about a proprietary S&W phosphate finish. However, there is no evidence it ever existed.

 

[DWalt]

Black Magic produces an iron oxide (Magnetite) finish, very much like most gun manufacturers have used to blue guns since before WWII (and still do). Parkerizing is a phosphate finish.

 

[gmarshall99]

Hi, I recently purchased a victory model too. See my thread "new to me victory". It's also in .38&W and has British markings all over it, including P0090 in the same place as yours. The gurus say mine was reblued at some point. If you ever find out what the P marking is for let me know.
Gary

 

[KEN L]

My Victory Lend Lease arrived today! Haven't done anything other than photograph it and confirm a .38 special cartridge doesn't fit.

I'm assuming the finish is original. The grips are not (no s/n).
It was made sometime in 1943.

Any other information is greatly appreciated. This is in far nicer shape than I was expecting based on the photos from the seller (who also said there was no US Property stamp when I asked).

Most likely an Oct 1943 ship date.

 

[Mk VII]

38/380 is a British mark intended to show that it WOULD accept the service cartridge. Supposed to be only applied to conversions (usually from 38 LC or 38 Sp) but somebody decided to stamp this one as well.

 

[JS Esq.]

Most likely an Oct 1943 ship date.

Thanks! Goes well with my substantially correct 8/43 Garand (M1 full - Album on Imgur).

 

[JS Esq.]

Now with correct stocks!