WWII Victory Identification

[CrossHare]

I have an old Victory Revolver and the serial number on the butt is V 6271xx with the last 2 digits being much smaller and looking as if they were added separately (almost on top of each other). The number on the cylinder matches, and looks normal. However the number under the yoke is 828xx. There is also a BNP stamp on the left side of the frame.
Based on some of the posts in this forum, I am assuming it may be a returned British Service Revolver reconfigured to use .38 Special rounds for commercial sales? Also the lanyard hole is filled. Were these guns given new serial numbers when converted. Hoping someone can shed some light on this for me.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome to the forums from the cotton and peanut covered plains of the Wiregrass! It is a British Service Revolver and the cylinder has been reamed for .38 Special. It has been refinished and the lanyard ring hole filled. Need a more sharply focused picture of the butt serial, the rear face of the cylinder and underneath the barrel where the extractor rod docks. The grips are also not original and much later in manufacture.

 

[DWalt]

It is just a utility curio shooter, and has no collectible value as it has been extensively modified from its original condition.

 

[austintexas]

I have about 10 or so Victorys in my collection and from what I've seen the 4" barreled victory were 38 special from the factory and the 5" barreled ones were 38 Smith & Wesson. I have one in my collection the Brits converted from 38 Special to 38 S&W by reaming the cylinder to 38 S&W.
SWCA 892

 

[CrossHare]

Thanks

Thank you so much for the info. Afraid my phone camera skills are not that great, I'll have to have one of my kids give it another shot for me. It's definitely a project gun, and I was just curious about the history on these in general. The grips are definitely new, the ones that were on there were in very rough shape and did not appear original anyway. Also had to replace the cylinder stop, as it was pretty loose and the timing was dangerously out of whack. Works great now, and it's a fun range gun at the very least.

 

[fiasconva]

I wonder just how many Victories and Pre-Victories were later "modified" so their collector value was diminished. My Pre-Victory was refinished and the original grips were replaced with Hogues (sp?) so it's now a fun shooter and a good conversation piece.

 

[Christopher Barnes]

Doesn't S&W have a serial number lookup site for the Victory models?

 

[DWalt]

Post a SN here and someone will provide an approximate shipping date.

 

[CrossHare]

Post a SN here and someone will provide an approximate shipping date.

The SN is V627182, would appreciate any information you can provide.

 

[DWalt]

On my list are six fairly close serial numbers, all of which shipped in the mid-1944 period. I also show two others which shipped in the Spring of 1945. Can you provide the barrel length, caliber stamping on the barrel, and exactly what is stamped on the topstrap, if anything.

 

[CrossHare]

On my list are six fairly close serial numbers, all of which shipped in the mid-1944 period. I also show two others which shipped in the Spring of 1945. Can you provide the barrel length, caliber stamping on the barrel, and exactly what is stamped on the topstrap, if anything.

Thanks Walt, I had assumed it was probably a late WWII model so thanks for confirming. It's a 4" barrel marked 38 SPC with nothing on the top strap. Interestingly the barrel seems to have a different finish than the rest of the frame - also confirming that it was a commercial conversion. I fitted a new cylinder stop because it was a bit loose, and now it shoots great.

 

[DWalt]

It was .38 Special. That there is no topstrap stamping indicates that it was very likely a DSC revolver, one which had been used stateside by law enforcement or industrial defense contractor security guards. It would not have shipped to the Commonwealth or US military. DSC stood for Defense Supplies Corporation, a government agency which, among its other responsibilities, handled procurement and distribution of small arms to essential civilian users, such as police. At that time, military Victory revolvers would have “U. S. PROPERTY” stamped on the topstrap. During WWII, most ordinary American citizens were not allowed to be sold new small arms and ammunition. For $100, you could purchase a historical letter which might be able to tell you what LE agency or government contractor your revolver was sent to, if you are so inclined.

 

[CrossHare]

Thank you!

 

[MelvinWalker]

I wonder just how many Victories and Pre-Victories were later "modified" so their collector value was diminished.

Every single one that Hunter's Lodge, Klein's and other wholesalers could buy by the shipping container full during the 50's and 60's.