hey guys! newbie here, and was wondering about a vic. model i have? it is a .38 s&w, ser. no. v(in front of lanyard on butt) 348889. it has a C w/arrow in it on left side of backstrap. also on top of frame on left side is a flaming ball w/ u.s. property g.h.d. it also has plain wood grips on it, it has no bluing on it with plenty of wear, but it functions perfectly and is crisp as far as firing ect... 5" bbl. i have no idea as to it's worth, but was curious as to a possible ballpark figure if anyone might have one? any help would be great! thanks!!
ww2 victory model info?
- Thread starter jayc1945
- Start date
First off, welcome to the forum. Sounds as if you have a Canadian issue variant of the British Service Revolver version of the Victory model. From the serial number, it should've shipped in 1943.
On account of the many variables that can affect value, few here will venture to estimate even a "ballpark figure" without seeing a photo (or preferably several) posted.
On account of the many variables that can affect value, few here will venture to estimate even a "ballpark figure" without seeing a photo (or preferably several) posted.
Pictures would definitely help, but it is not impossible to make a couple of generalizations. Many of the Commonwealth guns were modified to take .38 Special ammunition in addition to the .38 S&W round (which the British called the .38/200). If you have a converted gun, its value declines because it is no longer in original condition. Such a gun might be worth $150-225 for starters, maybe a bit more after a close analysis.
If the gun is an unmolested British Service Revolver, basic value is probably $275-325 for a gun that is mechanically sound and not too beat up on the surface. I am a little worried that you say yours has no finish, because that may mean the wartime phosphate finish (like Parkerizing, but called Black Magic by S&W) has been deliberately removed. If what you describe is actually just a very worn Black Magic finish, that is actually good news from the point of view of collectors. But it remains the case that so many tens of thousands of this model were made that there is no scarcity premium. Even in 98-99% condition, a Commonwealth Victory would probably not sell for more than $500 unless it had some special distinction.
So that's the fairly wide range you are looking at. Pictures would definitely help us narrow the possibilities.
If the gun is an unmolested British Service Revolver, basic value is probably $275-325 for a gun that is mechanically sound and not too beat up on the surface. I am a little worried that you say yours has no finish, because that may mean the wartime phosphate finish (like Parkerizing, but called Black Magic by S&W) has been deliberately removed. If what you describe is actually just a very worn Black Magic finish, that is actually good news from the point of view of collectors. But it remains the case that so many tens of thousands of this model were made that there is no scarcity premium. Even in 98-99% condition, a Commonwealth Victory would probably not sell for more than $500 unless it had some special distinction.
So that's the fairly wide range you are looking at. Pictures would definitely help us narrow the possibilities.
DWalt
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Are you sure the SN is not V348889? This would be a Lend-Lease Victory-model .38/200 revolver dating from mid-1943. It sounds original from your description. Many of them were mutilated in various ways after WWII, including having the chambers reamed out to accept .38 S&W Special ammunition. Value would depend greatly upon condition. If original all the way, and not in badly-abused condition, I'd say $300-350. These are becoming increasingly popular items.
