Just got this one, Serial # V 454490. Interested in what posters more knowledgeable than myself could tell me about when it was made, etc. I know some of the basics, but whatever else I can learn would be appreciated.
Thanks
Thanks
Victory S&W 38 CTG
- Thread starter Rmasters3
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I also have a Victory 38 handgun , I thought for a long time that it was made by S & W but, after some research I learned that Victory was a company it's self. Mine is a small handgun , 6 inches overall with a 2 inch barrel .
Hello Rmaster, that is a beauty. Try the Search engine at the top.
There is a world of info on that gun in the archives. Be prepared for a long read.
There is a world of info on that gun in the archives. Be prepared for a long read.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I guess you know it's a British-version Victory made as a Lend-lease gun for Great Britain, about 1942/43. You'll get a better date here soon, I think.
This is a really nice one. There are a lot of the British ones out there, having been re-imported post-war, and they are generally in crappy condition, have been modified, refinished, had their barrel shortened or cylinder bored out, and at least have been decorated after the war with British proof marks and/or importer stamps. As a result, most are not very collectible.
From what I can see in the photos, yours does not appear to have suffered any of that. Nice find! I'd pay as much for that one as for the US version.
This is a really nice one. There are a lot of the British ones out there, having been re-imported post-war, and they are generally in crappy condition, have been modified, refinished, had their barrel shortened or cylinder bored out, and at least have been decorated after the war with British proof marks and/or importer stamps. As a result, most are not very collectible.
From what I can see in the photos, yours does not appear to have suffered any of that. Nice find! I'd pay as much for that one as for the US version.
Yes. A British Service Revolver (AKA BSR), and it dates to about mid-year, 1943 (the 1943 serial range is from approximately V210,000 to about V490,000). The property stamp on the top clearly shows this to have been a Lend/Lease gun.
I agree with my colleague, Absalom, that this is a particularly nice looking example of a relatively non-tampered-with BSR.
It does appear that the rear-most sideplate screw has been replaced.
I agree with my colleague, Absalom, that this is a particularly nice looking example of a relatively non-tampered-with BSR.
It does appear that the rear-most sideplate screw has been replaced.
Absalom
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Indeed.
How could I have missed that?
I must have been blinded by the (relative) glory of the gun as a whole. You wouldn't believe how many crappy ones I look at on GB every week in my quest for one in this condition. One I've been following, whose "only" issue is that it's been bored out, just hit $200, so that's probably it. It's sad how many nice guns survived the Nazis only to be slaughtered afterwards
.Victory
Thanks for the input, gentlemen, and I welcome more. I also have a 4" barrel Victory in 38 Special, but the variations confused me. FWIW, the rear most side plate screw seems to have had the top flattened--but otherwise appeared to be the same screw as the others (save the topmost, shorter version). My guess was it protruded just enough to get the crown worn down a bit, but it almost appeared to have been sanded or finely filed.
I am a bit fuzzy on caliber--it's clearly stamped 38 S&W CTG, but is that identical to the 38/200 British, or just a "will work"?
I've disassembled, cleaned and lubed it, no surprises and little wear. Bore is particularly nice.
Thanks for the input, gentlemen, and I welcome more. I also have a 4" barrel Victory in 38 Special, but the variations confused me. FWIW, the rear most side plate screw seems to have had the top flattened--but otherwise appeared to be the same screw as the others (save the topmost, shorter version). My guess was it protruded just enough to get the crown worn down a bit, but it almost appeared to have been sanded or finely filed.
I am a bit fuzzy on caliber--it's clearly stamped 38 S&W CTG, but is that identical to the 38/200 British, or just a "will work"?
I've disassembled, cleaned and lubed it, no surprises and little wear. Bore is particularly nice.
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The older wood stock style did not go up to the level of the rear sideplate screw; the flat variety on your gun was made to clear a later type of stocks called Magnas.
.38 S & W is an older, shorter and wider cartridge than the .38 Special. The .38/200 was the original British loading with (surprise!) a 200 gr lead bullet. The WW II jacketed bullet was 176 gr due to lead bullets being banned - have to shoot your enemies humanely, old boy.
Here is one search (using the Search Site/Google Custom Search function) - if you use British Victory Model for the terms you will get several thousand posts to peruse.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/search...cof=FORID:10&ie=UTF-8&q=British+.38/200&sa=Go
Hope this is helpful.
.38 S & W is an older, shorter and wider cartridge than the .38 Special. The .38/200 was the original British loading with (surprise!) a 200 gr lead bullet. The WW II jacketed bullet was 176 gr due to lead bullets being banned - have to shoot your enemies humanely, old boy
.Here is one search (using the Search Site/Google Custom Search function) - if you use British Victory Model for the terms you will get several thousand posts to peruse.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/search...cof=FORID:10&ie=UTF-8&q=British+.38/200&sa=Go
Hope this is helpful.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
From left to right 380 ACP, 38 S&W, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Super, 38 Special and 357 Magnum (looks odd with RN bullet).
