Another Victory

[dillardrg]

I was at the LGS yesterday and they had a blinged out Victory model in their showcase. I made what I thought was a lowball offer and much to by surprise they took it.

I am having buyers remorse. I have been looking for a Victory and wanted a nice one. I saw this one and my avarice got the best of me. I did not expect them to accept my offer.

The good news is I now have a Victory, the not so good news is it is not in the best of shape.

Here are the numbers and marks;

Bottom of barrel; V2679xx
Left side of barrel; Smith & Wesson
Right side of bbl; 38 S&W CTG then a different stamp, looks like it was added later; SPECIAL
Above the trigger guard on right side; Made in USA
Right side plate; S&W logo stamp
Bottom of butt; V2679xx
Rear of cylinder; V2679xx
Crane; N 21359 21359
There are no other marks, proof marks or US Property marks.

The nickel is OK, some minor scratches but on the right side it looks like road rash. The cylinder has some deep scratches and the end of the barrel has some as well. The lanyard ring hole on the butt is apparant where it was filled before refinish.

The timing seems good, the lock up is tight and the trigger is wonderful(it is a S&W after all).

I have the standard questions, what is the date of shipment and what would a Victory that has under gone the humiliation of being blinged out like this be worth?

Here are some pics;

 

[rcmodel]

Well, in addition to all that, the barrel has been cut off and a different front sight added.
It probably started out as a 5" or 6" British export.

So it was a .38/200 somebody drilled out to accept .38 Spl.

All U.S. Victory models were 4" .38 Specials.

It is too early to have the positive drop safety, and should be carried with an empty chamber under the hammer, as it is not totally drop safe like a later S&W.

The serial number probably dates to late 1942.

What is it worth?
Personally, I would not give two bills for it myself.

Here is a pretty good Victory I picked up this summer for $500.



rc

 

[Old Fuff]

All U.S. Victory models were 4" .38 Specials.

No, a small number had 2" barrels. Most went to CID or OSS, but I have a photograph taken in Europe during the Winter of 1944; of a General sitting in a Jeep with one in what appears to be a USGI shoulder holster.

 

[AlexanderA]

From a collector's point of view, hopeless. I can understand your "buyer's remorse." I would have passed on it in an instant -- I wouldn't have taken it even if they had given it away.

 

[rcmodel]

No, a small number had 2" barrels.

Yes, they did.

I guess the point I was trying to make was none of the U.S. GI .38 Specials had 5" or 6" barrels you could cut to 4" and put ramp sights on.

rc

 

[Jim K]

Scratch "GSP" on the grips and sell it for $1000 to someone who will appreciate a rare collector's item.

Jim

 

[rcmodel]

That is by far the best idea yet!!

rc

 

[dillardrg]

Thanks for all the replies.
Your assements have been in line with what I was thinking.
I bought it because I had not even seen a Victory before, much less owned one. I paid $225 for it and still have mixed feelings about it
I just don't want to buy one online and have not found any others locally.
I do have it listed for sale locally and if I can get my money back I will sell it and if not I will keep it.
Not a big deal either way.
On one hand I feel that I may have just paid a "stupid tax", but if so it doesn't really seem to hurt that much.

 

[Old Fuff]

Victory Models, both the U.S. and British versions, sometimes turn up for sale on The High Road, as well as some quality auctions that back what they sell and give accurate descriptions. Also, you can always start a thread asking for advise before you buy. Given that they made over 800,000 it is not a rare bird.

There are also thousands of the same revolver's commercial version, which are identical to the military ones except they are blued or nickel plated with checkered rather then plain walnut stocks.

Somewhere in this mix you should find what you're looking for.