S & W Victory Mdl?

Evening Folks,
Recently ran across what I think is a S & W Victory Model revolver. As I am not familiar with all the nuances of this revolver, I was confused by the serial number. It was stamped SV 757893. The “S” appeared to be added at another time as it was not struck the same as the “V”. The barrel was marked .38 S&W Special Ctg. Is this a Victory Mdl? I did some research, and read that this was a late war piece, but I am unsure, so I thought I would ask here. The sellers price...realistic or is he shooting for the moon? If out of this world, what would be a real world price? Thanks in advance

Starting at serial number V769001 Smith and Wesson added a hammer block to prevent accidental discharge if dropped. This was denoted with a letter "S" before the serial number.

Is that price tag saying $550? If so, that’s a fine price. Not a steal but a fair price.

Yes, I would agree-- a fair price. It looks to be unmessed with. Grips are original and fit perfectly. Screws heads are not buggered. Nice.
I bought one from the old Warshals Sporting Goods in Seattle in the 70s. I paid $39. I shot the 'H' out of it. They are still one of my favorites. A little rough on the outside but a precision machine on the inside. Salt Flat

Yep, it is a late Victory Model. The key is having a V or SV serial number prefix.

From the Victory Model Database I can tell you that it likely shipped in the January, 1945 time frame.

Are there left top strap markings of: ð U.S. PROPERTY G.H.D. ?

You should buy it.

HTH.

Regards,
Charlie

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Originally Posted by Salt Flat

I bought one from the old Warshals Sporting Goods in Seattle in the 70s.

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I was in there then too...standing beside you I'll bet. What a place...

Yes, a Victory model and not bad. That's the one we can't find here, ours are in 38 S&W and I'd far rather have one in Spl. Always like the 4" models.

I picked mine up around Jan 2009. It was offered to me for a early WRA Carbine stock I had.... traded even up.
My serial# V 49434, S&W letter stated V model started @ Jan 1-1942. Mine is Navy marked, letter stating it was shipped July 23- 1942 to US Navy Norfolk, VA.
It is all matching and as made. I have not shot it.

Follow this link will show my pictures and S&W letter:
https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=17960

If the one your looking at is all matching numbers, price is very fair IMO.
I've came across 2 in the last year and a half that were Gov Prop marked in .38 SPL that were NOT all matching. Both were sold before I left the shows. Both had asking prices of ~$700-$725, not sure what they sold for. Condition of those about 60% compared to the one you have pictured.
Your S was hand stamped, I believe meaning it was built, then had the hammer block installed. Later when they were made with the hammer block the SV were machine stampd... IIRC.

Keep in mind not all grips were marked....... Most were but not all.
This link may also help you:
The Collection - US Military Revolvers

HTH :thup:

Thank you to all that have responded! It was a great help!

I have a Victory Model in .38 S&W....Would unmarked grip(s) be indicative of arsenal overhaul? Mine is all matching, except for one of the grips...Paid $400 for it at a show in Tulsa...Not the Wannamacker one...

Nice Victory ;looks clean to me.....

Side Note...… Can a 38 Special Round be fired in a .38S+W barreled victory? I wastold this was done when S+W ammo was scarce but I called boohah….. Just curious?

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Originally Posted by P51Mustang

Can a 38 Special Round be fired in a .38S+W barreled victory?

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Years ago I had one and changed the cylinder to a Model 10 cylinder for shooting. It shot fine without issues. Never had a bullet stick in the barrel nor did it throw flyers on me. I used ammo that I loaded and bullets that I cast.

The .38 Spl has a bullet that is .358 in diameter while the .38 S&W bullet is .360 in diameter. You may or may not get the .38 Spl. to enter a chamber for a .38 S&W all the way in. If you can then it could be fired. But like Jim did it could fire very well and accurately too.

If you get the .38 S&W special to fully seat in a .38 S&W chamber then the case will split beyond use when you fire. There were some that had been reamed to take special but I wouldn't make a practice out of it.