Another 38 S&W victory model question ... and another .... and another ...
Between 1899 and 1942, Smith & Wesson made one million
K-frame, Military & Police revolvers. At this point they had to start over because the machine that stamped the number on the butt couldn't go any higher. So they started the "V" series at #V 1. The "V" was supposed to stand for "Victory," because (for us) World War Two had just started.
During the war Smith & Wesson made two versions of the Victory Model. One was called the .38-200, and it was made for the British and their Commonwealth countries. As a rule it had a 5" barrel and was chambered in .38 S&W (not Special). The second was simply called the "Victory Model." It was made for U.S. military services, and was similar to the .38-200 except it was chambered in .38 Special and had a 4" barrel, although a few were made in 2" length.
Following the war, by the middle 1950's the British had replaced the .38-200 revolvers with Browning P-35 Hi-Power pistols, and many if not most of the remaining revolvers were sold as surplus to American gun dealers and importers.
A problem developed though. American gun buyers didn't particularly like either the long 5" barrel, or the .38 S&W cartridge. They preferred a shorter barrel and the .38 Special cartridge. So in both England and the United States a large number of these revolvers were rechambered to .38 Special (which for the most part ruined them) and had the barrel shortened and the front sight replaced. A common replacement was a ramp - usual intended for a rifle - soldered to the barrel. The front sight blade might be part of the ramp, or it might be a separate sight mounted in a dovetail cut in the ramp. Some of these conversions were well done, while others were very crude.
Often the lanyard loops were removed and the hole plugged.
The original stocks, which were plain, unchecked walnut were sometimes replaced with plastic ones - as can be seen on the example shown here. Last but not least the finished gun was occasionally reblued.
Individuals with a converted revolver of this kind should check the cylinder to see if the .38 S&W chambers are still there, or if they have been lengthened to take the .38 Special round. If so, fire only regular .38 Specials, not Plus-P, and expect to get split or cracked cases. .38 S&W rounds can also be fired, but generally accuracy is poor.
Stocks that fit a current day Model 10 Square Butt will fit, or can be made to. Any holster made for the Model 10 that's long enough to inclose the barrel - whatever length it should be now - should work too. If the barrel length is still 5 inches you may have to get a 6" holster.
At the time (middle 1950's and later) they were sold for very attractive prices when compared to a new Smith & Wesson or Colt. But they are an excellent example of the old saying, "you get what you pay for.”