1. Smith And Wesson Victory Model Serial Numbers
2. Smith And Wesson Victory For Sale
3. Smith And Wesson Victory 38 Special

Victory Model. The S&W Model 10 military revolvers produced from 1942 to 1944 had serial numbers with a “V” prefix, and were known as the Smith & Wesson Victory Model.It is noteworthy that early Victory Models did not always have the V prefix. DWalt, is anyone still building a data base of these SN? If so, I picked this one up this week: Pre-Victory Model,.38S&W (38-200), ordnance mark/WB on butt, “UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on top strap.

I concur with Gunbarrel. While there are exceptions, as a rule of thumb, the 5' barrel 38 S&W caliber weapons were generally lend lease; the 4'.38 Special caliber weapons were US issue, although many of the latter were sold through the Defense Supply Agency to defense plants, civilian police forces, etc.

S&W Victory Model info request. Of World War ll, The Secondary Pistols and Revolvers by Charles W. Pate published 1998. Contact Roy Jinks Smith and Wesson P.O. Box 2208 Springfield, Ma 01102. Perhaps he can supply a letter with the history of this revolver. I have a Victory revolver with serial number 305488 and it is marked the.

These 4'.38 Special weapons generally sell for more. Some have various exotic markings-US NAVY, NYMI (Navy Yard Mare Island) USMC.although I believe there's a question about the authenticity of the latter. The half-flap holster was indeed made after the war-I have a brown one marked MRT (mildew resistant treatment) and a black one given me by a friendly ordnance NCO in 1972; its original black color makes it post '58 production. I'm not sure how one tells the original from a reproduction, since I've never looked at an example of the latter. There's also a full flap hoster for these revolvers, and a shoulder holster, often found with canvas cartridge loops added by the unit cobbler. Original examples of the latter seem to be going for premium prices.

There are quality reproductions of all these holsters-a good place to look is Pacific Canvas and Leather. Hello Lloyd: Nice to see you back around the neighborhood. My friends Gunbarrel and EB have given you some good advice.

Let me know what you are looking at and I will fill the blanks for you. From the Victory Model Database I can even give you a good estimate on the shop date and in some instances on the destination. On the holsters, the so-called half flap holster was indeed made in WW2, as well as post-war.

I have a Craighead example dated 1943 on the desk near me as I type this. The subject of Victory Models is actually pretty broad and there is a lot more to them than most people think. Regards, Charlie Flick Edited by Charlie Flick, 08 February 2009 - 04:38 PM. Hello old friend.Charlie sir how are you?.yes back for good now and settled at last so here goes. I am looking for a nice representative WW2 US not Lend Lease 38 Victory Model as its the one US WW2 common GI sidearm i dont have. I have confused myself with barrel legnths.38 specials.Police Positives.US Propertys.and V prefixed serial numbers. I just need the 'Gen' Charlie so i dont buy a wrongun and also a nice half flap rather than the full flap holsetr as i think that is a more aesthetically pleasing accompaniment to the sidearm.

What do i look for sir? Regards LLoyd. Hello old friend.Charlie sir how are you?.yes back for good now and settled at last so here goes. I am looking for a nice representative WW2 US not Lend Lease 38 Victory Model as its the one US WW2 common GI sidearm i dont have.

I have confused myself with barrel legnths.38 specials.Police Positives.US Propertys.and V prefixed serial numbers. I just need the 'Gen' Charlie so i dont buy a wrongun and also a nice half flap rather than the full flap holster as i think that is a more aesthetically pleasing accompaniment to the sidearm.

What do i look for sir? Regards LLoyd Hi Lloyd: I am well, thanks, and pleased to see you back on the Forum. Here is what you need.

It should be a 4 inch barreled.38 Special caliber S&W K-frame revolver with a V or SV serial number prefix. You want one that had military service so stick with an example that is marked 'U.S.

Navy' on the left topstrap or 'ordnance bomb U.S. Property GHD' on the left top strap. It will have a parkerized-style finish with smooth walnut stocks. Inside of the right stock it should be numbered and that number should match the butt serial number. Likewise on the numbers on the cylinder face, the barrel underside, the underside of the extractor, and inside of the side plate. The ejector rod and extractor should be blued. The hammer and the trigger should be case hardened.

On the holster I would looked for one of the WW2 dated Craighead holsters to complete your set. The attached photo shows the half flap holster in question, but this particular example is a Boyt. (BTW, the piece on the left is a USGI.38 S&W 5' Victory with the very scarce 5' Boyt -43- flap holster, which is not what you are looking for, but I had this old pic handy.) Hope that helps you. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Regards, Charlie Flick. My Grandfather worked a Lockheed/Vega Burbank throughout WWII and at the end of the war the Lockheed Guards were disarmed and the Victory Model 38s were sold off to the employees.

Smith And Wesson Victory Model Serial Numbers

My Grandfather wanted to buy one, but for whatever reason did not. He kicked himself for a long time for not buying that revolver. I wish he had bought one of those revolvers. Does anyone know if these Lockheed revolvers werre marked Lockheed/Vega? I've seen a Victory Model 38 marked Vega, but I am not sure if that is how the revolvers were marked. My Grandfather worked a Lockheed/Vega Burbank throughout WWII and at the end of the war the Lockheed Guards were disarmed and the Victory Model 38s were sold off to the employees. My Grandfather wanted to buy one, but for whatever reason did not.

He kicked himself for a long time for not buying that revolver. I wish he had bought one of those revolvers. Does anyone know if these Lockheed revolvers were marked Lockheed/Vega? I've seen a Victory Model 38 marked Vega, but I am not sure if that is how the revolvers were marked. Ian Hi Ian: I have never seen or heard of a Lockheed-marked Victory Model but they may indeed exist. Boeing had their revolvers marked BAC (Boeing Aircraft Corporation) so it is possible that Lockheed employed a similar system of marking.

Those marks would have been applied by Lockheed and not at the S&W factory, of course. Regards, Charlie Flick. My Grandfather worked a Lockheed/Vega Burbank throughout WWII and at the end of the war the Lockheed Guards were disarmed and the Victory Model 38s were sold off to the employees.Does anyone know if these Lockheed revolvers werre marked Lockheed/Vega? I've seen a Victory Model 38 marked Vega, but I am not sure if that is how the revolvers were marked. Ian I seem to recall there was a dealer called Vega Arms in the late '80s, who in accordance with US law marked their imported surplus weapons in that manner.

But this is only my imperfect memory; I can't offer documentation. EB: Your memory on that is pretty good.

The importer was Vega and they were located in Sacramento, CA. A large number of.38-200 Victory and pre-Victory guns were imported from Australia in the late 1980s. Those guns are marked on the left frame VEGA SAC CA.

Perhaps that was the Vega marking that Ian observed. Regards, Charlie Flickcorrect i have mine still - price was $79.95 in good to excellent, $ 99.95 for mint condition - were austalian issue but marked U.S. Property on top strap - purchased in sept. I added the U.S.M.C lanyard to the Victory pistol display for a little variety and to show it off.

It's sorta funny about these lanyards, because I bought a mint dozen of them wholesale about 15 years ago for $5 apiece. Back then they were known as the 'What the hell are these?' A short time later I ended up selling 9 of them at an OGCA show for $10 each and kept the other 3. Glad I did, because they now seem to be worth a little more than I paid for them.

Bob Edited by rambob, 13 February 2009 - 12:05 PM. Just a question.if one had a 5 inch barrel version (lend lease), and could get a 4 inch barrel, how difficult would it be to re-chamber it to.38 sp? Would it also need the cylinder? Is it even worth the trouble? Dogface Hi Dogface: I would strongly recommend against such a modification. There are many reasons to not do so, but the best reason is that such a mod would destroy the collectability, and thus the value, of the 5' revolver. While slightly less desirable than the 4'.38 Special guns, they have their own history and wrecking that to create a.38 Special shooter is not advisable in my opinion.

There are still a lot of nice.38 Special Victory Models around so if you want a.38 Special I would get one made that way originally. Your investment will be protected and you will avoid losing a collectible 5' gun in the process. If you, or any other members here, run across a Victory that you are interested in and need help figuring it out, let me know and I will be glad to assist. They are really neat and under-appreciated guns. Regards, Charlie Flick.

MrWilly: I assume that your revolver is a 4 inch.38 Special. If that is the case I can tell you the following. The serial numbers in the range recorded in the Victory Model Database are scattered over much of 1944.

Understanding that the Victory was not shipped from the factory in strict consecutive serial number order, from close serial numbers in the Database I would estimate that your revolver likely shipped from the factory in the June-August 1944 time frame. With no markings as you describe the revolver likely was a DSC shipment. These went to many DSC-authorized destinations such as defense plants, law enforcement agencies and public utilities. In this case you would need to get a factory letter ($50) in order to obtain a precise ship date and destination. I hope that information is helpful to you. Hello, I am hoping to find out some info on a victory model I have. Does anyone know how to find out what year it might be from?

The serial number is V71507 and it is a 4' and has smooth grips and lanyard ring on the butt end. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. 1942 for sure - but early Victory SNs don't seem to track so well with shipping dates as the later ones do.

Mid-1942 should be close. With a 4' barrel, it should be chambered for.38 Special and smooth wood grips and a lanyard swivel should be correct.

Smith And Wesson Victory For Sale

The SN should also be stamped on the inside of the right grip panel if the grips are original to the revolver. If military, it should have a property stamp on the topstrap. Hello, I'm a new owner of a victory model with no us military markings. On the barrel 38 s&w special ctg and the serial number is v170520 any info would be greatly appreciated thanks.

Assuming that the finish is original and no markings have been removed, your gun shipped most likely in late 1942, November or December, (but possibly in early 1943), on a contract from the DSC (Defense Supply Corporation) to a non-military user in the US somewhere or to the US Maritime Commision at one of its receiving depots. When factory letters are available for order again, that may be an option (unlike on military Victorys, which didn't ship to end users). Sometimes DSC guns went to interesting recipients. I have a Victory model with the following markings: Serial Number: V 5052xx (under barrel, under butt, on cylinder and on extractor) Barrel Markings Left: SMITH & WESSON Barrel Markings Right:.38 S&W SPECIAL CTG Barrel Markings Top:SMITH & WESSON SPRINGFIELD MASS. PATENTED FEB.6.06. DEC.29.14 Crane and Crane Recess:50091 S Frame Top Strap:Ordinance “flaming bomb” symbol and, 'US.

Smith And Wesson Victory 38 Special

PROPERTY G.H.D. Upper left frame:'P' proof Interested in the build/ship time frame and also, I have a friend interested in purchasing so I'm trying to get some idea of what it's worth before the 'Friend Discount.' Not even sure I want to let it go after everything I've read about peoples fondness for them and it was my grandfathers.

It is fully operational and in good condition. He made custom add on mahogany grips and I'm pretty sure he blued it although I wonder if it really was Parkerized originally? Any insight into what I have would be appreciated! I have a S&W Victory Model with: 5 Inch Barrel Parkerized Finish (was under black paint), possibly 2nd finish because markings are faded Serial #V719370 Chambered (unaltered) for S&W 38 ctg No markings can be seen on back strap Import mark under barrel from CAI Walnut grips Yours was very close to the end of the line for V-prefix Victories, as shortly thereafter, the improved drop safety was incorporated into the design around very early 1945.

At that time, the SN prefix was changed to SV. Yours was very likely shipped around November 1944.

Yours was also fairly near the end of the line for the.38/200 BSRs, as the British ceased ordering them early in 1945. You are very fortunate yours has not been rechambered. Any other markings on it? Could be Australian. Well, it arrived, there is some stuff going on here I don't understand. I think I have enough pictures here for you guys to tell me what's what with this?

At least as far as you can go without a letter. And for good measure: All the numbers on the gun match. Nothing on the back of the stocks. No pencil or markings at all. You should be able to blow up any of the images pretty big. I think this thing is just the bees knees. I'm really curious to see if anyone knows anything about the extra markings on there.

V123572 would date from around November 1942. My best guess is at that time, it is very likely to have been a DSC revolver, made for stateside civilian use by police, defense plant guards, etc. As those did not have property stampings. There are a few others shipped without property stampings, but all military Victories did. The other stampings on the butt could well have been applied as inventory or rack numbers, etc.

A factory letter might help if you are willing to pay the $75 to (maybe) find out more about it. Fellas, I would appreciate lil help. Picked up a nice Victory model today along with US Govt holster (person said original to gun). Little info on gun: topstrap is stamped 'U.S. Property G.H.D.'

In front of the 'U.S.' Is a small insignia that I can't ID. Right side of the barrel has '.38 S. Special CTG'. On top of the barrel is stamped 'Smith & Wesson Springfield, Mass.' With patent dates of Feb 8, 1908; Sept 14, 1909; and Dec 22, 1914. Right side of frame behind the cylinder is 'Made in U.S.A.'

And a trademark stamp. Also, has multiple P markings and few S markings. Still has lanyard and original grips numbered to gun. On bottom of gun and inside cylinder is S V 777892.

Info such as date, country of service, etc would be much appreciated. Fellas, I would appreciate lil help.

Picked up a nice Victory model today along with US Govt holster (person said original to gun). Little info on gun: topstrap is stamped 'U.S.

Property G.H.D.' In front of the 'U.S.' Is a small insignia that I can't ID.

Right side of the barrel has '.38 S. Special CTG'. On top of the barrel is stamped 'Smith & Wesson Springfield, Mass.' With patent dates of Feb 8, 1908; Sept 14, 1909; and Dec 22, 1914. Right side of frame behind the cylinder is 'Made in U.S.A.' And a trademark stamp. Also, has multiple P markings and few S markings.

Still has lanyard and original grips numbered to gun. On bottom of gun and inside cylinder is S V 777892. Info such as date, country of service, etc would be much appreciated. Thanks The earliest of the SV-series revolvers I show on my list is SV 7628xx, with an unknown shipping date, but likely in January 1945. I have never seen any solid information as to exactly how many went to the US Military, the British Military, or to other users.

There were numerous SV frames and components remaining in factory inventory which were assembled after the war's end in August 1945 and sold on the open civilian market during the early months of 1946. Those would not have the U. PROPERTY stamping. The total number of SV-series revolvers is approximately 50,000. PROPERTY stamping and in.38 Special caliber, it is very probable yours was initially sent to a U. Navy depot sometime in 1945.

In later years, it's possible that it could have been used by other branches of the U. As noted, many Victory revolvers remained in U. Military service throughout the Vietnam era and even beyond. Last month at OGCA I was fortunate enough to acquire another 4” US Property G.H.D.Victory revolver serial V720558, All indications would leave me to believe that its was only factory fired but who will ever know. Often times, during the wheeling and dealing stage they come with a story and this one is no exception, the seller told me this Victory was sold for $50.00 out of a armory back in the 70’s or 80’s located near Columbus, Ohio.

He said the Victory revolvers were wrapped in a triangular piece of waxed Kraft paper and supposedly this is the piece that came with this gun. I suppose this story could be feasible. Along with this story he said Stevens trench shotguns were sold for $70.00. Anyone here have any information concerning the validity of “the story or the waxed paper”.

Terry ps If someone has time I would be interested in the date terry.