bigfreakinrevolver
Member
I recently found a nickel plated victory model and I was wondering if the government ever issued a nickel plated version?
Victory model
- Thread starter bigfreakinrevolver
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Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
No.........
diamonback68
US Veteran
What he said........................NO!
I don't believe either one of those guys, but the answer's still NO.
So, there were 86 nickel Victories, but not issued by the government.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I think those would be considered commercial models with SV serials. Not part of any military contract or order, just parts in inventory being used up. Not true VMs IMO.
IMO they are factory-modified Victory frames with a Victory serial number, but sold commercially. I think they fall into the Victory category since the serials begin SV. It would be easy for someone that didn't have access to the Supica info to assume they had a Victory since everything aligns. At any rate, if bigfreakinrevolver found one of these, he has a big freakin rare Victory model even if it wasn't issued through the military.
kwill1911
Member
As a general rule the military has not issued nickel plated guns. But...
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/77275-nickel-plated-victories.html
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/77275-nickel-plated-victories.html
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
So often it comes down in interpretations. A Registered Magnum with no certificate is not an RM to some. I have heard people claim the nickel Model 28s they were selling were "factory" because S&W plated them. If having a VS serial makes it a Victory Model to some then OK by me. But to me the VMs were produced under military contract and any guns not delivered to the military, but instead sold through commercial channels to civilian buyers are not really VMs but are commercial models using left over VM parts. To each his own.
OP
bigfreakinrevolver
Member
Well this victory still has a lanyard hole and victory serial numbers but not us property or any writing on the back strap
OldW
Member
I am interested in this as well, since I have a similar pistol I inherited from my grandfather. It has the SV serial number, and is nickel plated. I have often thought of getting Mr. Jinks to letter it, but more for the sentimental value I have for it.
OldW,
Supica states that about 86 SV models were nickeled with the lanyard ring hole plugged. Is yours one of those or a refinished Victory?
Supica states that about 86 SV models were nickeled with the lanyard ring hole plugged. Is yours one of those or a refinished Victory?
Texas Star
US Veteran
For those who didn't hit that link above, I should point out that the USAF nickled some Victories and put Franzite fake stag grips on them. These went to the SAC Elite Guard Air Police at Offut AFB in Omaha.
But I think this work was done by military armorers, not by the S&W factory. Still, these guns should be quite collectable, if any have survived.
The Elite Guard also got the blue berets before the rest of us did.
But I think this work was done by military armorers, not by the S&W factory. Still, these guns should be quite collectable, if any have survived.
The Elite Guard also got the blue berets before the rest of us did.
OldW
Member
You see, that I don't know. I will have to dig it out of the safe to look at the lanyard hole, but I think it has not been plugged. How would I know if it has been refinished or it was a factory finish?
OldW
Member
Hmmm.... That is interesting. My pistol was one I inherited from grandpa, who carried it as a civilian police officer contracted through the Dept. Of defense at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma. And it has those fake stag grips too.
Yep. See the photo here (posted by Charlie Flick):
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/77275-nickel-plated-victories.html
The quote is incorrectly cited. It is actually on p. 142, not p. 129 (at least in the printed edition).
JP
Considering that there are a bazillion refinished nickel Victorys about and a tiny number of factory nickel Victorys (or at least with a V serial).... well, if you're in the US and you hear hoofbeats approaching, you probably should think "horse" and not "zebra". It's not impossible that it's a zebra, but highly unlikely.
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OldW
Member
Well, that makes sense. I am now wondering if it may have been one of the USAF modified pistols that was mentioned a little earlier in the thread. That seems a little more likely, given its history that I know of with my grandfather.
