S&W Victory model questions?

[pitoloco83]

anybody know how mach worth a s&w victory model 38 special 4''barrel,nickel finish with all matching numbers.1923 85% grade

pitoloco83:
The victory model wasn't made in 1923, it would be a .38 Military & Police Model of 1905 4th Change with that date. These were available in nickel and blue.
The Victory model was manufactured from 1942 to 1945.
Apart from a very small number of guns the Victory model was not nickeled, any aftermarket nickeling would detract from it's value to a collector.

Post the serial number (replace the last three digits with xxx for privacy) and we will give you a date. Post pics for an estimate of value.

the serial number 693xxx ,and is 85%-90% with all matching numbers,the man want $700 but i dont know if the price is ok or expensive

 

[Radagast]

pitoloco83:
The Standard Catalog of S&W notes that serial numbers around 651500 shipped in 1935 there is then a large gap until 1940, when Britain began ordering guns from S&W at around serial number 680,000 or 700,000, so your gun probably dates to 1940.

The British guns were ordered in .38 S&W, not .38 special. Many were imported into the USA and bored out to .38 special after the war. If the barrel says .38 S&W instead of .38 special or if it has British proof marks then it is probably such a gun and has a real value of $150 or so.

If it is an original .38 special, then the Standard Catalog of S&W gave a value of $335 in excellent plus condition for a .38 Military & Police revolver. Original nickel would add a premium. If the hammer and trigger are nickeled then it is not original.
If it has a round butt then the value may double as these are rare.

So, unless an original round butt, nickeled Military & Police, the price is way to high.

 

[Keb]

The bid / or sold prices on Gunbroker are way higher than $150. More like $275 for an Aussie with wear showing.

 

[rainbowbob]

It has Smith & Wesson's famous "long action." All were exceptionally good, but some were more exceptional then others.

What models featured the "long action" triggers - and when did S&W stop making them? How can a novice collector tell the difference?

 

[Oro]

What models featured the "long action" triggers - and when did S&W stop making them? How can a novice collector tell the difference?

C. 1948 all the K and N models switched to the short action. K models were in the spring of 1948 and the N's followed shortly thereafter.

How to I.D.: You can tell at a glance by examining the hammer shape. Long-action models have a very flat profile across the top line hammer when viewed from the side. Short action guns have the characteristic notch behind the hammer nose and the spur rises up out of the body of the hammer. Now that I've described it, a quick look should make it apparent. I think Xavier's sticky at the top of the forum has a nice side-by-side example which would be more illustrative than photos I could post:

Look at the upper right illustration (scroll over if you need to):
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=356710

Since the mainsprings were the same, the "long action" spread the force of cocking out over more time and distance, making it feel smoother and lighter. However, it did increase lock time. Also, the higher hammer profile prevented perfect sight alignment prior to working the action on fixed-sight guns. There's no free lunch.

 

[Old Fuff]

Another quick way is the the long-action hammer spurs had fine checkering, where short-action ones are more course and sharp.

Also all World War Two era Victory Models have long-actions, and late production SV serial numbered ones have both the long-action and positive hammer block. In addition, all post-war commercial production have the hammer block.

All post-war K and N frame long-action revolver had serial numbers with an "S" prefix, but this is not a sure thing because some short-action K-frame guns as well as N frames also have an "S" prefix. When you get to the "C" prefix and later the long-actions are past history.

These are what I look for, and if you find one you can't have it 'cuz I want it...

 

[Oro]

Also, the higher hammer profile prevented perfect sight alignment prior to working the action on fixed-sight guns. There's no free lunch.

Here, let me argue with my own post: This only applies to the K frame models. The N frame is taller and you can see the sights clearly over the hammer when at rest on an N.

Another point is to not judge the "long action" quality with 1917 and .455 N frame models. These had stiffer mainsprings. The "long action" really shines in the K-frame - like a Victory M&P model or pre- or immediate post-war civilian M&P.

 

[Radagast]

Keb, I was talking about British Service Revolvers that have been cut down so there is no barrel lug, re-chambered to .38 special, usually nickeled and given a set of plastic stag grips. Are you talking about an unmodified and therefore collectible gun or a chopped one?

 

[Old Fuff]

The "long action" really shines in the K-frame - like a Victory M&P model or pre- or immediate post-war civilian M&P.

Yes indeed, this is one reason exhibition shooter Ed. McGivern preferred them. However I have handled many commercial N-frame revolvers (.38/44 Heavy Duty and early .357 Magnums in particular) that had double-action trigger pulls which were fully equal or better then those found on the general run of M&P K-frames.

In October 1943 Smith & Wesson thinned the mainsprings used in Victory Model .38's to conform with new trigger pull specifications. So far as I know they still use that spring today.

 

[Oro]

In October 1943 Smith & Wesson thinned the mainsprings used in Victory Model .38's to conform with new trigger pull specifications. So far as I know they still use that spring today.

Thanks for that information. I had wondered if the springs specs had ever changed and when - had heard a hint about that in the past.

 

[Erik Jensen]

friend of mine has a revolver out in his garage. knowing that I'm into old guns, and neither him nor his family are very interested in handguns, he's offered to sell it to me. in looking at it today, I at first thought it was a 50's or 60's Model 10, until I noticed the serial number has a V prefix. the cylinder, yoke, and ejector rod have been nickel plated, like most WWII bring back pistols I've seen. it appears to be all original otherwise. bore looks good, it's missing the lanyard loop, has original smooth grips, and no rust, but the finish is worn pretty smooth for parkerizing.

how much do you guys think I should offer him for it?

 

[kanook]

Is it 38S&W or 38 special?

If it's 38S&W has it been altered to take special?

To me it's been altered to a $50-$100. So give him $75

 

[Erik Jensen]

It's marked .38 S&W Special on the barrel. I'll have to take a measuring tape to it, but if the OPs pistola is a 4", this one appears to be a 5". the only alterations I can really see are the missing lanyard loop and the nickel plating. my instinct was to offer between $100-150.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

I just bought a Victory Model, SN V245xxx. I won't have the weapon until Friday, so I can't post pics or verify any other details. It had some very lumpy staghorn grips which I will certainly replace.

It was $200 and sort of a spur-of-the-moment purchase. I needed something for home defense since my .357 Rossi has a cracked frame and will be sent out for repair (and then will be sold or traded).

No idea as to the value, but if it shoots straight it's gotta be worth $200. I'll post pics and hopefully a range report later this week.

 

[Husker_Fan]

Hoppes,
Provided it is not a rechambered .38 S&W, I tend to think any functional k-frame is worth $200 as a shooter.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

Pretty sure it said .38 Special. I know it was stamped "U.S.Navy", so that should mean it's a .38 Special. Of course, since I made the purchase I have come home and learned all I could about the V series. Sure wish I had looked at the markings more closely. I was pretty busy giving it the used revolver once-over (cylinder gap, etc).

Really, I'm just hoping for a reliable weapon for home defense. If I'm extra lucky it'll be an accurate shooter at longer ranges. And I love the fact that it's a WWII relic, like my Dad.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

I picked up the Victory Model. The barrel says "SMITH & WESSON" on the left side and "38 S. & W. SPECIAL CTG. on the right side. Left side of the top strap says "U.S. NAVY", but it's pretty faint.

The serial # on the cylinder matches the one on the frame. Right side of the frame has the S&W Trademark emblem and says "MADE IN U.S.A."

I ran a box of wadcutters through it. Keep in mind that I'm a K-Frame virgin, but I thought it shot very well. Comparing it to my Rossi snubbie, the extra size and weight of the Smith helped tame the recoil, the 4" barrel made for noticeable better accuracy, and the trigger was superb (the Rossi has a good trigger, but the Smith was better). Only thing I didn't like were the grips. The staghorn is not comfortable at all, and the left grip is loose at the top. I'll probably just put a Hogue monogrip on it for better comfort and accuracy.

 

[diamondjim]

V series S&W .38, marked U.S.Navy

I have had this weapon several years and have decided to research it. Above the cylinder it is stamped "U.S. Navy". On the butt, before the lanyard, is the letter "V". On the other side of the lanyard is 267XXX. Smith & Wesson is stamped on the left side of the barrel and on the right side of the barrel is "38 S. & W. Special CTG". Serial numbers on the bottom of the barrel, butt and cylinder match. The thumb release is missing part that screws onto it to make it easy to open. It appears to have been well used with the trademark and the US Navy being partially worn off. There are other numbers if needed.
Questions: When was it made and an idea of value.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Radagast]

diamondjim:
Manufactured 1942 to 1944. Probably 1943 is my guess.
Value is dependent upon condition. Missing parts it's probably worth around $150, if all there probably $300 or so due to the worn condition. If you can post a couple of decent pics you may get a better response.