In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Options
Smith and Wesson Victory revolver questions
beantownshootah
Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
Here's a bit of fun for the Smith-o-philes. What you can tell me about this nickel finished Smith and Wesson "Victory" K-frame?
Unfortunately, my camera isn't able to focus close enough to get good images of the markings, so I'll have to describe them:
Serial number is "V 374XXX", and the serial number is inscribed on the butt, cylinder, and underside of the 4-inch barrel. The "V" and the rest of the serial number are spaced apart in all three places. Gun has five screws. Trigger is grooved.
On the inside of the frame under the barrel the gun is inscribed "K 82838". I understand the "K" (frame/model designation), but what does the number mean? Is that a lot number?
On the right side of the barrel, the gun is inscribed "38 S&W. CTG" then in a clearly different font, "Special". I assume this means the gun was rechambered into .38 special from .38 S&W, and the conversion was done by either the manufacturer, or at least a gunsmith competent enough to restamp the barrel. Is that right?
On top of the barrel, there is an inscription partly covered up by the nickel finish: "XXX Springfield XX XSA". The "Xs" are illegible, but I assume it likely reads "Springfield [MA] USA", the location of the S&W factory. Any thoughts?
The gun also has the usual S&W insignia and "made in USA" on the right frame, and "Smith and Wesson" on the left barrel. I can't find any other proof marks or markings. Is there somewhere else I should be looking?
Lastly, there is a slight oval under the nickel between the "V" and the rest of the serial number on the butt. Am I correct to assume that this is where the lanyard ring was taken off for conversion/refinish?
Action is good, cylinder locks up well, and the rifling is crisp. Nickel is pretty solid and shiny with no pitting or flaking anywhere. Owner claims gun shoots .38 specials fine (though I haven't seen or tried it).
Other questions:
Year of manufacture? (I'd assume this is WWII era).
Am I correct in assuming this gun was refinished in nickel?
Ball park value? (I'd guess about $250 +/- $25, is that about right?).
As a WWII era gun, this one is probably not suitable to +P ammo, correct?
Does this gun have any special collectors' value? Alternatively, for collectors purposes, which would more desireable, this gun, or (say) an original nickel Smith 19? Any other "cool" factoids that might go with this gun?
Unfortunately, my camera isn't able to focus close enough to get good images of the markings, so I'll have to describe them:
Serial number is "V 374XXX", and the serial number is inscribed on the butt, cylinder, and underside of the 4-inch barrel. The "V" and the rest of the serial number are spaced apart in all three places. Gun has five screws. Trigger is grooved.
On the inside of the frame under the barrel the gun is inscribed "K 82838". I understand the "K" (frame/model designation), but what does the number mean? Is that a lot number?
On the right side of the barrel, the gun is inscribed "38 S&W. CTG" then in a clearly different font, "Special". I assume this means the gun was rechambered into .38 special from .38 S&W, and the conversion was done by either the manufacturer, or at least a gunsmith competent enough to restamp the barrel. Is that right?
On top of the barrel, there is an inscription partly covered up by the nickel finish: "XXX Springfield XX XSA". The "Xs" are illegible, but I assume it likely reads "Springfield [MA] USA", the location of the S&W factory. Any thoughts?
The gun also has the usual S&W insignia and "made in USA" on the right frame, and "Smith and Wesson" on the left barrel. I can't find any other proof marks or markings. Is there somewhere else I should be looking?
Lastly, there is a slight oval under the nickel between the "V" and the rest of the serial number on the butt. Am I correct to assume that this is where the lanyard ring was taken off for conversion/refinish?
Action is good, cylinder locks up well, and the rifling is crisp. Nickel is pretty solid and shiny with no pitting or flaking anywhere. Owner claims gun shoots .38 specials fine (though I haven't seen or tried it).
Other questions:
Year of manufacture? (I'd assume this is WWII era).
Am I correct in assuming this gun was refinished in nickel?
Ball park value? (I'd guess about $250 +/- $25, is that about right?).
As a WWII era gun, this one is probably not suitable to +P ammo, correct?
Does this gun have any special collectors' value? Alternatively, for collectors purposes, which would more desireable, this gun, or (say) an original nickel Smith 19? Any other "cool" factoids that might go with this gun?
Comments
It should be a rounded like the edge of a coin but yours has most
likely been filed down. Seen most Victories here in Texas at about 300-500 bucks. The orginal chambering was .38/200- the British name for .38 S&W, which has a slightly larger casing than 38 special.
The original finish was probably parkerization. Stick to regular lead round nose .38 specials and you should be fine.
I believe they were made between 1942-1945.
rechambered to .38 special to kill Officer Tippitt after the JFK
assassination. Supposedly according to forensic evidence his gun was loaded with a mixture of Western Lubaloy coated and Remington 38s.
Interestingly, the unjacketed lead bullets were not indentifiable to the gun because the rifling marks on the bullets were damaged on impact.
It is appears that your front sight has been altered as well.
It should be a rounded like the edge of a coin but yours has most
likely been filed down. Seen most Victories here in Texas at about 300-500 bucks. The orginal chambering was .38/200- the British name for .38 S&W, which has a slightly larger casing than 38 special.
The original finish was probably parkerization. Stick to regular lead round nose .38 specials and you should be fine.
I believe they were made between 1942-1945.
Thanks for the good observation on the front sight!
You kind of figure that *ANY* functional K-frame Smith revolver has got to be worth $200, but it seems this gun is worth a little more than I thought.
As a "shooter" the action seems nice and smooth, but I suspect the conversion means its not going to be particularly accurate.
It was common to just run a 3/8" drill down each chamber to open it up so it could fire the .38 Special.
At best a reamed .38 S&W cylinder gives a sloppy fit for the .38 Special. The cases will be bulged a bit when fired.
I have heard that some V models were chambered for the .38 Special in the first place. Hopefully yours is one of those.
Hope this helps. Please let us know what you learn about this piece.
It is appears that your front sight has been altered as well.
It should be a rounded like the edge of a coin but yours has most
likely been filed down. Seen most Victories here in Texas at about 300-500 bucks. The orginal chambering was .38/200- the British name for .38 S&W, which has a slightly larger casing than 38 special.
The original finish was probably parkerization. Stick to regular lead round nose .38 specials and you should be fine.
I believe they were made between 1942-1945.
Question,they did or did not manufacture.Victory models in .38 special cal.??
Maybe a S&W specialist will come along soon and give us the official skinny.
The Victory model was produced in .38 S&W (.38/200) for the British & Commonwealth countries, and in .38 special for the U.S. The U.S. ammunition was M41 ball, a 130-grain FMJ roundnose at moderate velocity. These were heavily issued to carrier pilots and aircrewmen by the Navy and Marines, but saw other generally widespread use. Somewhere over a million were made. I believe the Commonwealth used quite a few with 5-inch barrels, and the U.S., mostly 4-inch ones. If I remember right, although these are all usually referred to as Victory models, the 'V' prefix wasn't used until fairly late in the war. And now, there's lots of room for someone who really does know about these guns.
I would hazard to guess there are more .38 specials
than 38 S&W (38/200). The ones chambered for 38 S&W
should have some kind of British proofs.
quote:Originally posted by ATF
quote:Originally posted by breakerdan
It is appears that your front sight has been altered as well.
It should be a rounded like the edge of a coin but yours has most
likely been filed down. Seen most Victories here in Texas at about 300-500 bucks. The orginal chambering was .38/200- the British name for .38 S&W, which has a slightly larger casing than 38 special.
The original finish was probably parkerization. Stick to regular lead round nose .38 specials and you should be fine.
I believe they were made between 1942-1945.
Question,they did or did not manufacture.Victory models in .38 special cal.??