VICTORY question ~pic provided~

[kaiarack]

Hi all,
I was wondering if someone could give me a rough estimate of the age of my Victory.
- serial V9247x
- broad arrow mark
- also has a broad arrow with D's on either side
- has a "MA55" mark
I have a feeling its a lend lease gun, but does anyone know who was fortunate enough to carry this?

Thanks for the help!

 

[kaiarack]

Hi all,
I was wondering if someone could give me a rough estimate of the age of my Victory.
- serial V9247x
- broad arrow mark
- also has a broad arrow with D's on either side
- has a "MA55" mark
I have a feeling its a lend lease gun, but does anyone know who was fortunate enough to carry this?

Thanks for the help!

 

[popgun]

you have a Australian lend lease revolver, that went "factory through repair" at the arsenal in Melborn in 1955.
popgun out

 

[kaiarack]

thanks much for the info. Factory through repair sounds like a minus (in terms of value) is that right? If so, does anyone know how big a difference FTR makes value-wise?

 

[digi-shots]

I'm not really sure, I've sorta asked that same question. Hopefully, someone more knowledgeable will come along and help you out.

I believe the only "Australian" Victory's that you'll run into are the ones with FTR markings on them. So... if you want an "Australian" that's what it will look like. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[popgun]

I've been watching them closely since I stumbled across one for $300.00 in a pawn shop 2 years ago. 8000 were sent to "down under" by Lend lease, most were 38S&W. a few 38 spl went with McAurther. The 38S&Ws were brought into the U.S. by VEGA of Sacramento Ca. in the late 60s. Most are reselling for $450-$500 on the open Market now. They are the only ones I've seen and all were FTR'd. That term means "Through Factory Repair" and was a British empire thing (you will see it all the time on #4 rifles). As it was done while still in Gov. service it does not detract on the value, and usally means their in better than avg. condition. Does yours have a crown proof with a number? It's a inspecter mark with each number representing a differnt inspecter.
popgun

 

[kaiarack]

thanks popgun,
it does have a crown with a 10 under it. thanks for the info. I always cringe a bit when I look at that VEGA CA stamped in on the side.

 

[Rute Boye]

I've got an FTR'd Victory Model very similar to yours that I picked up last summer for $299.00. I posted a few pics on this forum, and got some goos comments back from the members. Here's a link to that thread that you might find informative:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5401039...151039842#4151039842

Best regards,
Doug

 

[kaiarack]

Thanks Doug

 

[Camster]

My understanding is that "FTR" stands for "Factory Thorough Repair",meaning that it was thoroughly.completely gone through.