38 s&w ctg revolver

[Adonaioc]

I would like some help identifying this revolver it was my grandfathers and I dont know anything about it

 

[pmbiker]

Smith and Wesson Victory model.

http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/victory_model_smith_and_wesson.htm

Quick Google search gave me that. Surely there's more info out there.

 

[rcmodel]

Made during WWII - 1942 - 1945.
Total serial number range was V1 - V811119, so you could surmise yours was made probably in early 1944.

It has fake plastic stag grips & a Tyler T-Grip adapter.
Other then that it appears to be in nice condition near as I can tell from the pictures.

rc

 

[Adonaioc]

I was reading that sight and it mention that sn 40000+ are 38 specials can this gun shoot 38 special ammo? (i know this is a noob question but i will slowly learn)

thank you guys for all you your help.

also i have no plans to sell it but do you happen to know its approximate value?

 

[Radagast]

It looks like it has a five inch barrel, which would make it a British Service Revolver, which were made concurrently with the Victory Model, in the same serial number range.

The first 40,000 were manufactured in .38 S&W because S&W were already supplying Great Britain at the time that the new serial number was introduced. Both guns were produced concurrently after that.

If you barrel is marked " .38 S&W CTG" it is a British service revolver. You cannot chamber .38 special in a .38 S&W gun.

If it is marked ".38 S&W Special CTG" then it is a Victory Model. You cannot chamber .38 special in a .38 S&W gun.

Some .38 S&W British Service Revolvers had the cylinders bored through to accept.38 Special and were sold as surplus after WWII. If your gun will chamber .38 Special but is marked for .38 S&W, then it is one of these. These bored through guns should be safe to shoot with standard velocity, standard pressure lead ammunition. Even then you can expect cases to bulge and potentially split, the rear of the .38 S&W chamber is wider than the .38 Special case. For safety's sake never shoot plus P ammunition or unknown handloads through such a gun.

If it hasn't been bored through then it is probably worth $250-$350, depending upon condition. If it has been bored through, maybe $150 or whatever you can negotiate. A million victory models were made,.

 

[Adonaioc]

you mentioned that the grips are fake plastic horns and an extra grip, are they original or would be ok to replace them with something i like better? I dont want to de-value the gun by removing them if they are original.

according to the thread above it is a British service revolver

 

[Radagast]

The original grips would have been smooth walnut. The plastic grips have no collectors value.

 

[SaxonPig]

The 38 S&W is not the same as the 38 S&W Special. The Special is longer and slightly more powerful. The 38 S&W (the WW II service cartridge for Great Britain, Canada, etc.) has a slightly larger bore. The ammo for you gun will be much harder to find and much more expensive than for the 38 Special. Unless you are seriously into shooting and load your own ammo a gun in the 38 S&W caliber is a bad choice as a shooter because of the ammo situation.

This revolver is a great keepsake but if you want to do some shooting you may want to consider acquiring something in a more usable caliber.

These Victory Models have become collectible in recent years and prices for nice ones run $400-$600 or more depending on variables.