SouthwestShooter Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 I have this old Smith & Wesson revolver which I picked up in trade. however, I can't figure out the model and therefore the value. I've been told it may be a airman issued gun as it's marked US property. if anybody can help me with the model and approximate value I would appreciate it thanks Windy City Red raceshots8@gmail.com update - gun seems in pretty good condition considering it's age. serial number on cylinder matches number on the frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nostrum Damus SASS #110702 Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Caliber? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper Jack Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 PM Sent. From a revolver that looks similar: "History: This is a Smith & Wesson Victory Model from World War II. It is U.S. Property marked and G.H.D (Guy H. Drewry) inspector marked from Springfield Armory. These were made from 1942 to 1944. There were a little over a half million made. They were standard issued side arms for US Navy and Marine air crews due to their size and ease of operation. It is .38 S&W rather than the .38 special that the U.S. military used." Will need serial number to determine age & model. Also need caliber as marked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goody, SASS #26190 Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Today known as the model 10, here's a history of that revolver. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_10 https://www.legacy-collectibles.com/smith-wesson-victory-revolver-u-s-property-1214.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudflat Mike, SASS #20904 Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 "Victory" model. Usually issued to USN air crew's in WWII. Saw several in RVN, still in use. Usually parkerized. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boulder Canyon Bob# 32052L Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 I’ll have to take it and bring it home for inspection, it may take a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 18 minutes ago, Boulder Canyon Bob# 32052L said: I’ll have to take it and bring it home for inspection, it may take a while. Hmmm...I was thinking the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 46 minutes ago, Mudflat Mike, SASS #20904 said: "Victory" model. Usually issued to USN air crew's in WWII. Saw several in RVN, still in use. Usually parkerized. I thought all Victory models had a lanyard loop on the butt...? The dead giveaway is if the s/n starts with a V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muley Gil SASS # 57795 Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 You have a S&W Victory model & it should be a .38 special. Ones that were issued to the US military during WW II had 4" barrels & usually went to the Navy and the Marine Corps for issue to pilots. Other Victory models went to police departments and for use by security officers that worked for defense industries. The lanyard loop has been removed. I can't tell by the pictures if the hole is empty or plugged. Other Victory models, known as British Service Revolvers (BSRs) went to the British to be issued to Commonwealth troops. These were chambered in .38 S&W and most of them had 5" barrels, although 4" and 6" barrels are occasionally encountered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 I thought all Victory models had lanyard rings. That one doesn’t appear to have a hole for the lanyard ring in the butt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 A serial number would really help in identifying this cool shooter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 The stamp after U.S., inspector G.H.D (Guy H. Drewry). Better photos as others suggested, will yield more detail. Probably a Victory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthwestShooter Posted June 22, 2022 Author Share Posted June 22, 2022 absolutely thanks to everyone. adding pix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthwestShooter Posted June 22, 2022 Author Share Posted June 22, 2022 dear boulder, I dropped it in the mail box,. hope it finds it's way to you. after added pic, anyone have a guess on value so I can post it here.. Thanks again. Windy City Red Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthwestShooter Posted June 22, 2022 Author Share Posted June 22, 2022 I probably should have included your address. oh well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Does the serial on the barrel agree with the serial on the cylinder and the butt? I wondered why my barrel said that the gun was chambered for 38 special and US service cartridge. The number on the barrel did not match the other numbers on the gun. It had been rebarreled at some time. This did not change the efficiency of the gun, but it definitely lowered the sale value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forty Rod SASS 3935 Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Other than the mother of plastic grips it looks to be in good shape. I'd say it's a keeper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthwestShooter Posted June 22, 2022 Author Share Posted June 22, 2022 yes, both numbers are the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthwestShooter Posted June 22, 2022 Author Share Posted June 22, 2022 Lol , besides my wife, I have enough keepers. This one's gonna go on the market here as soon as I can figure out the value. Oh, you know I'm talking about the gun, not my wife right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 1 hour ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said: I thought all Victory models had lanyard rings. That one doesn’t appear to have a hole for the lanyard ring in the butt. There looks to be a hole right before the number on the butt. Never mind as I read further, noticed the pix were added later! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconKC Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 Yup, the hole in the butt is where the lanyard loop went. Not all Victory Models had the V prefix. It should be in 38 Special as it has the 4" barrel, where the ones that went to Britain had 5" barrels and were in .38-200 [as the Brits called it] the 38S&W cartridge. It would have come with either checkered [early] or smooth walnut grips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hair Trigger Jim Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 What is the caliber marking on the right side of the barrel? I can't tell from the pictures. While most U.S.-issued Victorys were in .38 S&W Special, the internet suggests there were a few in .38 S&W (e.g. this article, although I've also seen it mentioned elsewhere: https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/v-is-for-victory-the-smith-wesson-victory-model-revolver/ ). And it seems there were also U.S. marked Victory revolvers sent overseas as part of lend-lease (normally in .38 S&W), but I'm not versed enough to comment on whether this could be one. I'm guessing yours is in .38 Spl, but if it is marked .38 S&W, you should check whether the chambers were reamed post-war for the longer but narrower .38 Spl, which most shooters would probably consider detrimental. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 2 hours ago, SouthwestShooter said: Lol , besides my wife, I have enough keepers. This one's gonna go on the market here as soon as I can figure out the value. Oh, you know I'm talking about the gun, not my wife right? 1 hour ago, Hair Trigger Jim said: What is the caliber marking on the right side of the barrel? I can't tell from the pictures. While most U.S.-issued Victorys were in .38 S&W Special, the internet suggests there were a few in .38 S&W (e.g. this article, although I've also seen it mentioned elsewhere: https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/v-is-for-victory-the-smith-wesson-victory-model-revolver/ ). And it seems there were also U.S. marked Victory revolvers sent overseas as part of lend-lease (normally in .38 S&W), but I'm not versed enough to comment on whether this could be one. I'm guessing yours is in .38 Spl, but if it is marked .38 S&W, you should check whether the chambers were reamed post-war for the longer but narrower .38 Spl, which most shooters would probably consider detrimental. 1 hour ago, DeaconKC said: Yup, the hole in the butt is where the lanyard loop went. Not all Victory Models had the V prefix. It should be in 38 Special as it has the 4" barrel, where the ones that went to Britain had 5" barrels and were in .38-200 [as the Brits called it] the 38S&W cartridge. It would have come with either checkered [early] or smooth walnut grips. Mine is marked and chambered in .38 S&W, 5" barrel, V prefix, lanyard ring, and I paid under $300 off Gunbroker in 2016. DeaconKC, without the V prefix, what else defines these as Victory models? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconKC Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 3 hours ago, Three Foot Johnson said: Mine is marked and chambered in .38 S&W, 5" barrel, V prefix, lanyard ring, and I paid under $300 off Gunbroker in 2016. DeaconKC, without the V prefix, what else defines these as Victory models? The term Victory came from the V for Victory hand sign Churchill used. Someone at S&W came up with the moniker and it stuck. So when they reached the end of a SN run [I forget which one] they started using a V in the SN. Roy Jink's book has a whole chapter on these smooth shooters. Even in the biggest rush ones, the actions were S&W smooth, even with rougher [Parkerized] exterior finishes. Does yours have the British acceptance and proof marks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 1 hour ago, DeaconKC said: Does yours have the British acceptance and proof marks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconKC Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Just now, Three Foot Johnson said: Sweet! Unlike most S&Ws that will be regulated for a 200 grain jacketed bullet at about 650 FPS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Three Foot Johnson Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 3.0 grains of Unique and a 200 grain LRN does the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 7 hours ago, Eyesa Horg said: There looks to be a hole right before the number on the butt. Never mind as I read further, noticed the pix were added later! Yep, that photo wasn’t there earlier. The side shots that somewhat showed the butt made it appear as if there were no hole. That is a sweet looking revolver. Personally, I would let the grip panels go to someone that might like them. You know what’s damned annoying to me…When I typed that last sentence I went looking for some replica grip panels that would dress this beauty right up. I searched “replica grips for S&W Victory”. What did I get back? A bunch of garbage about that “new” 22 Victory. That thing doesn’t deserve the moniker. It’s a rehash of their 22A. Anyway, some nice walnut would really look good on that old beauty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Numrich used to sell replacement copies of the Victory's grip. Maybe they still do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 12 hours ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said: You know what’s damned annoying to me…When I typed that last sentence I went looking for some replica grip panels that would dress this beauty right up. I searched “replica grips for S&W Victory”. What did I get back? A bunch of garbage about that “new” 22 Victory. That thing doesn’t deserve the moniker. It’s a rehash of their 22A. Anyway, some nice walnut would really look good on that old beauty. Search "vintage grips S&W Victory” and you should get some results. I found several on ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 13 hours ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said: What did I get back? A bunch of garbage about that “new” 22 Victory. That thing doesn’t deserve the moniker. Smith is the worst, but not the only. A CHIEF'S SPECIAL is not a plastic bottom-feeder. It is a J-frame 38 Special. An M&P is also not a plastic bottom-feeder, mor is it an AR15 wannabe. It is a K-frame 38 Special. And a VICTORY is not a 22 LR bottom-feeder, but is a specific version of a 38 M&P. A Ruger HAWKEYE is not a lightweight bolt action rifle. It is a single-shot pistol that greatly resembles a Super Blackhawk, chambered in 256 Winchester. And a Colt OFFICER'S MODEL is not a cut-down 1911, but is a large-frame 38 Special holster revolver. These companies need to hire advertising companies that can come up with NEW names for their products, and quit reusing old ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 1 hour ago, Alpo said: Smith is the worst, but not the only. A CHIEF'S SPECIAL is not a plastic bottom-feeder. It is a J-frame 38 Special. An M&P is also not a plastic bottom-feeder, mor is it an AR15 wannabe. It is a K-frame 38 Special. And a VICTORY is not a 22 LR bottom-feeder, but is a specific version of a 38 M&P. A Ruger HAWKEYE is not a lightweight bolt action rifle. It is a single-shot pistol that greatly resembles a Super Blackhawk, chambered in 256 Winchester. And a Colt OFFICER'S MODEL is not a cut-down 1911, but is a large-frame 38 Special holster revolver. These companies need to hire advertising companies that can come up with NEW names for their products, and quit reusing old ones. I agree 100% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.