Picked up another S&W revolver

[GunnyUSMC]

I haven’t had time to stop by the local Pawn & Gun shop for about a week or so, just been busy. But on the way home I stopped in to have a look around. I know the owner really good and the let me behind the gun counter. I even help out at time if they get busy while I’m there.
I looked around today and really didn’t see anything that caught my eye. I was about to leave when the sales clerk asked me to watch the gun room while he took care of something.
A guy came in and I showed him a few guns and we shot the bull a bit. He then pointed out a 38 Spl revolver in the case with about 15 others, saying “ ain’t that an ugly one”.
I pulled it out to have a look. It was a Smith with some odd wood grips on it priced at $199.95. I brought the revolver over to the owner and asked him what would he let me have it for. He said $200 out the door. I countered with $180, he asked if I was going to pay the tax. I told him that would put us back at $200. He said he would do $190 out the door, I said sold.
I’ll let y’all look at the pics. Most will know what this old revolver is and that I would have been more then happy to have paid the asking price plus the tax if I had to.

 

[Sistema1927]

Victory model. Now to find some correct grips for it. Great score, I know that you will preserve this piece of history.

 

[Alte Schule]

A nice old soldier. Great find.

 

[Striker]

Nice find Gunny. What's the bore look like?

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Nice find Gunny. What's the bore look like?

I would have to say, pretty good.

 

[WestKentucky]

Some people just have all the luck... Gunny, your supposed to be cleaning up your gun room, not buying new things to clutter the gun room. And please let me know if you pull that set of grips off. I need some for just a few days to satisfy a weird project desire I have had for a while.

 

[redbone]

Nice!

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Some people just have all the luck... Gunny, your supposed to be cleaning up your gun room, not buying new things to clutter the gun room. And please let me know if you pull that set of grips off. I need some for just a few days to satisfy a weird project desire I have had for a while.

So you just need them for a few days?

 

[WestKentucky]

So you just need them for a few days?

Actually yes, to prove out a weird idea so that I don't buy some and end up blowing money on something I can't use in the end.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Actually yes, to prove out a weird idea so that I don't buy some and end up blowing money on something I can't use in the end.

I just might be able to help you out.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I just installed a lanyard loop.

I bet you’re asking yourself, Where did he get one of those? Or, Who has a Victory Model lanyard loop laying around in there shop?
You never know what you will find in my shop.

 

[If1HitU]

Congratulations!

 

[bikerdoc]

Your my hero gunny. when I grow up ( Im 69) I want to be just like you

 

[WestKentucky]

But now the one in the background is less loopy... it's sad.

 

[Riomouse911]

Nice! I bought a Victory on GB...it was advertised by the pawn broker who sold it to me as a 2" "professionally done" conversion of an original .38 Spl. V model. I will say that the cut down barrel, the new crown, and the installation of the half-moon front sight wasn't bad at all.

What wasn't shown in photos was the cylinder charge holes. I got it home (after waiting for shipping and then our useless 10- day wait) only to find out some Bubba McDoofus had hogged out the cylinder and made a .38 S&W into a semi-useless .38 Spl.

Since the gun had zero collector value anyway, I bought a used .38 spl K-frame cylinder and ejector rod assembly and had it fitted and timed. The 2" "model 10" wasn't a bad gun, but I wanted something else and I sent it along on consignment at the LGS.

I hope your new "V" has a much happier ending for you!!

 

[FN in MT]

I have the near same gun, my FIL carried it on 33 missions over Europe in his B-24.

What a piece of History. Too bad these old guys can't tell their story.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

But now the one in the background is less loopy... it's sad.

The Victory model in the background did not have a lanyard loop when I got it. It was reworked by Parker Hal. I ordered the lanyard loop from Lee’s Gun Parts but never put it on the gun. To restore it l would have to replace the barrel, which is matching to the gun.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Nice old Victory Model.

Two things. Be a little bit careful, the ones with the V prefix to the serial number are the ones with the old style hammer block inside. After the new and (safer) style hammer block was installed S&W started giving them a VS serial number prefix.

The other thing is a question. I have a Victory Model too. I have noticed that with the hammer down the rear sight is obscured by the hammer, making it pretty impossible to aim the gun properly for a double action shot.

Curious if you can see the rear sight on yours with the hammer down?

I have lots of old K frame Smiths, but that Victory Model of mine is the only one who's hammer obscures the rear sight.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

Howdy

Nice old Victory Model.

Two things. Be a little bit careful, the ones with the V prefix to the serial number are the ones with the old style hammer block inside. After the new and (safer) style hammer block was installed S&W started giving them a VS serial number prefix.

The other thing is a question. I have a Victory Model too. I have noticed that with the hammer down the rear sight is obscured by the hammer, making it pretty impossible to aim the gun properly for a double action shot.

Curious if you can see the rear sight on yours with the hammer down?

I have lots of old K frame Smiths, but that Victory Model of mine is the only one who's hammer obscures the rear sight.

With the hammer down I can just see the top of the rear sight.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I did clean it up a little. Here are before and after pics.

 

[WestKentucky]

The Victory models were produced under contract to the same people who logically paid to reduce the rate of fire of the Thompson SMG to keep troops from wasting ammo. That unseen rear sight was likely intentional to force troops to use a slower trigger pull which would aid in accuracy, thus more hits on target. Of course this is also during the time when police were being trained to point-shoot which may have carried over to military training as well. One way you don’t need the sights at all, the other forces you to slow down to use them. Either way it’s typical gooberment dumdum by modifying a system that works well into something else similar but not exactly equal. If it ain’t broke, the government is sure to fix it.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

What a dandy find! I just took delivery of this old soldier's buddy and I paid a [expletive deleted] sight more than $200! Enjoy, and SHOOT IT!

 

[Panzerschwein]

I'd bead blast it and durakote it.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Congrats on a fine gun. I love post like this. Learn a lot of history of firearms along the way. Thanks for Posting and keep up informed down the road.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

I'd bead blast it and durakote it.

Regular krylon, the flat camo kinda, oughta do nicely...