Victory Model

[duckhunter28432]

I purchased my first Victory Model today at a local gun show. I know there is a member here that keeps up with Victory serial numbers so I figured I would share a couple of photos and ask for a little assistance. Serial number V 529965, 5 in. Barrel, 38 S&W. The grips are smooth walnut and match the gun. The P inspector mark is present and US Property GHD mark is present. VAM Dist Co. LLC Wooster OH is stamped on the side plate. There are no British marks or any other stamps for that matter. Can anyone give me the year it was shipped and why does it not have a foreign countries' acceptance mark? The gun has its original finish and is in good shape. I was also able to get it for $280.

 

[duckhunter28432]

Other pictures did not attach so hopefully here they are.

 

[Waidmann]

The British Service Revolver was provided to the Commonwealth through the Lend-Lease program so it would not receive acceptance and proofmarking by the British Military, if it went to the Brits. It did not enter commerce in the UK if it bears neither Birmingham or London Proofs.

Did you get original smooth grips with the gun? The p is the S&W proof. The GHD, Col. Guy H. Drewry, and high serial indicate latter war.

One of the fellows on the Victory project will likely find this and be of help if not repost on the VictoryModelDatabase.

The modern importer's mark on the sideplate is not desireable but if they are in business you may find out whence it came. A number of recent imports have come from Australia, a thought.

 

[duckhunter28432]

I have the original grips and they number to the gun. For some reason I am having trouble with pictures tonight. I appreciate your help and maybe the guy that does the database will see this post. I've seen the Victory models with all the proof marks all over them but I figured this one would have more proof marks. As you can tell, I have a limited knowledge of Victory Models but for some reason I couldn't pass this one up. It is still chambered for 38SW and from what I've read that is a good thing.

 

[Waidmann]

Markings and the lack of them are all over the map. The guns went to all the Commonwealth countries, to the OSS and ultimately resistance movements. Guns lettered to the British Purchasing Commission have turned up with no post factory markings. I have a South African pre-Victory that has none.

Some guns were seconded to German and Austrian Police post-war and later turned up here.

Some .38 Specials were converted to .38 S&W (.38-200) by the Brits early on.

If you wanted a marked up gun, watch the auction sites.

 

[ordnanceguy]

I know there is a member here that keeps up with Victory serial numbers so I figured I would share a couple of photos and ask for a little assistance. Serial number V 529965, 5 in. Barrel, 38 S&W. ... Can anyone give me the year it was shipped and why does it not have a foreign countries' acceptance mark?

Hello Duck:

From the Victory Model Database, maintained by my pal LWCmdr45 and me, I can estimate for you that your revolver likely shipped from the factory in the February-March, 1944 time frame.

I can't be certain as to why your revolver does not bear any foreign property markings since we know that it went overseas due to the later import marking. My guess is that as a Lend Lease gun it was not technically the property of the receiving country. It remained US Property, as the legend on the top strap says. We can probably rule out it having gone to Australia as the Aussies seemed to do a pretty good job of slapping their own markings on the guns even if they were Lend Lease guns.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

 

[duckhunter28432]

Thanks so much! Feel free to add the number to the database. I really appreciate the information you so kindly provided. One of the things that I liked about the gun was the lack of property marks. I will certainly take care of it in its original form for future generations to enjoy.

 

[PJGP]

Guns lettered to the British Purchasing Commission have turned up with no post factory markings. I have a South African pre-Victory that has none

It wouldn't Waidman. Thankfully this country didn't (still doesn't) have the self-serving commercial proof legislation which enabled the Birmingham and London Proof Houses to butcher perfectly safe military firearms.

Peter
Near Pretoria

 

[DWalt]

Are you certain it hasn't had the chambers bored out for .38 Special?

 

[duckhunter28432]

I am sure it has not been bored out to accept 38spl. A 38spl round sticks out of the chamber and and a 38 S&W fits entirely in the cylinder. You can also see the line in the cylinder where the cylinder narrows. The only stamps on the gun, other than the ones from S&W, are the US Property GHD and the import mark it received when it was shipped back to the US. Without an import mark from a foreign nation is there anyway to tell where it was shipped when it left the US?

 

[william f]

I would like to jump in on this thread if anyone can help. My nephew has a S & W .38 .767 that has the BNP w/crown markings on the barrel and cylinder. I also has crossed swords with an H on the left and an 8 (may be a B) on the right and a 2 on the bottom. The serial no. is 8381XX and there is an F on the other side of the hole for the lanyard (missing). It does not have a V on it and on side it has Made In USA. It is nickel plated with a 5" barrel. Any help with the date and value would be greatly appreciated.

 

[opoefc]

williamf , Your nephew's gun is an early purchase by the Brits from S&W in probably early to mid 1941. The markings are the Birmingham nitro proof (BNP) and the crossed swords are the military inspector's stamp. The gun was originally polished blue finish, or the dull blue wartime finish, and it has been refinished in nickel. Ed.

 

[william f]

Ed, Thanks for the quick reply. Just what I needed.
WF

 

[Waidmann]

It wouldn't Waidman. Thankfully this country didn't (still doesn't) have the self-serving commercial proof legislation which enabled the Birmingham and London Proof Houses to butcher perfectly safe military firearms.

Peter
Near Pretoria

Peter, Since it also lacks the "arrow U" I have been told it is likely a "British diversion". Comment?

Bill

 

[bamarod]

Well I'm new at this, but I just traded for a Smith & Wesson 38 special it does not have any marking that I can find.Can someone tell me where you measure the barrel from the reason I ask is on mine from the end to where the frame starts is only 2 3/4in. It is also Nickel now looks new serial #602084 any help on the gun would be great Thanks and ROLL TIDE!!!!

 

[LWCmdr45]

Well I'm new at this, but I just traded for a Smith & Wesson 38 special it does not have any marking that I can find.Can someone tell me where you measure the barrel from the reason I ask is on mine from the end to where the frame starts is only 2 3/4in. It is also Nickel now looks new serial #602084 any help on the gun would be great Thanks and ROLL TIDE!!!!

The barrel is measured from the muzzle to its end, immediately in front of the cylinder. If your measurement of 2.75” is accurate for the muzzle-to-frame distance, you need to add about 0.75” for the part of the barrel (threads) hidden inside the frame. However, 3.5” is not a standard barrel length for a S&W .38 Special. Check your measurements and repost here with a picture or three and/or a detailed description of *all* markings and we’ll all do what we can to help.

Steve