WWII victory model?

[Retired BPA]

Hello,
I'm new and need help with ID on a revolver.

It is a hand ejector with no model number. Serial number is: V342493. it has the 5 screws, 4 inch barrel and hand ejector fixed sight in the rear. It is not parkerized but instead it is blued. I also think the grips are not original and have been modified to allow speed loaders. It is marked for 38 S&W.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

I'm guessing this revolver is marked on the barrel for the .38 special cartridge. What other markings are present? There were two main Victory models-the .38 special for the US military and the .38 S&W that was provided to the British forces.

Please post pictures.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Welcome! Yes, a WWII Victory. If the barrel is stamped .38 S&W Special CTG, it is the US version chambered for .38 Special. For more information, you need to post pictures.

 

[Retired BPA]

Yes. .38

I'll take a few photos. That will be a few minutes.


OK, how do I post a jpg?

 

[Retired BPA]

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Yes. .38

There were 2 versions of the Victory: the US version chambered for .38 Special and the British Service Revolver chambered for .38 S&W. These are different cartridges. So, it's important that you not just focus on the bore size.

Video Tutorials on Posting Pictures

 

[JP@AK]

With that serial number and a 4" barrel it is almost certainly chambered for the .38 S&W Special.

It has been reblued and the stocks are much later than the gun. Also, they have been modified as you noted.

 

[Retired BPA]

Ok. I am sure you are right about the bluing. The stocks are just like the ones that came on my 686, so I was thinking they were not original. I like them so I'll just leave it as is. Someone cut the stocks down to fit speed loaders too. It is a nice shooter.

 

[Matt_X]

The hammer spur may have also been slightly cut down. Hard for me to tell from the camara angle.
Overall it looks like someone did a nice job making it a better shooter after its first agency was done with it. I bought one a couple years ago that was given a new life but not as nicely done.

https://smith-wessonforum.com/141709327-post6.html

 

[DWalt]

The wartime Victories were not Parkerized. Just hot oxide blued over a bead blasted steel surface, aside from a very small number. There were a large number of .38 Special victories made for stateside non-military sale. Those will not have a property stamp on the topstrap. But if yours was refinished, the property stamp could have been polished off.