victory model 38

[oldfireguy]

I am new here and came looking for information on the .38 victory model and 1917 .45. I have found much more than I expected. My .38 appears to be a lend lease marked V-model and I am still researching the 45's. Is there any additional collector interest/value in guns with the [not english made] marking ? Thanks for all the information.

 

[Waidmann]

The "NOTENGLISHMAKE" stamp you refer to is a function of the civil proof markings applied by the London and Birmingham Proofhouses through I think 1955. Before former military weapons could be offered in commerce they had to undergo civil proof firing. A British officer who retained his sidearm post WWI was not required to submit one unless later offered for sale. Other Commonwealth countries do not prove their firearms. Canada during WWI proved their military weapons.

It is not uncommon to see examples with numerous stampings. I have a British Service (V serial) with U.S., N.Z. and German commercial proofs.

Most collectors I believe readily accept basic military acceptance and proof marks. When they get too numerous for example: Military, postwar proof and importer's marks it is a negative.

Other markings indicating caliber conversion or questionable embellishments really hurt values.

 

[Retired W4]

Not English Made

I don't know about your particular gun, but the "Not English Made" is usually associated with proof marks preceded by GP in a circle and BP in a crown. I have seen that mark on U.S. gun supplied to the British and later released for commercial consumption after WW I. I think, but I'm not sure, the same holds for Lend Lease guns of WW II I don't believe the mark, in and of itself, is cause for additional collector interest. I know there are experts on the subject here, and maybe they will offer better information Can you post pictures?

Yep. Some one beat me to it. Come to think of it, many purely commercial guns imported to England might also have that mark.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

 

[oldfireguy]

Will add pics today, as soon as I can get my kid to show me how !

 

[oldfireguy]

Victory model pics

Hope these come through OK.

 

[Waidmann]

Pic #2 depicts marks of the London Proofhouse. GHD was Colonel Guy H. Drury who supervised the Hartford Ordnance District. The gun dates from early 1945.

 

[Texas Star]

Keep in mind that it was chambered for .38 S&W regular, NOT for .38 Special, which is an unwise conversion that some surplus dealers made after the war.

US Victory Models ARE chambered for .38 Special, and almost all have four-inch barrels. A few had two-inch barrels.

 

[DWalt]

Concur on the early 1945 dating. Have the chambers been reamed to accept .38 Special cartridges? If so, that is not a good thing.

 

[oldfireguy]

Thanks for the info. I will check the cylinder and let you know if they were re-chambered.

 

[oldfireguy]

The gun is still a .38 s&w. I appreciate the info on this gun, I like it even more. Having said that I have to ask, any idea what its worth ?