Looking for info and value of this Victory model

LTR

LTR

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I have been doing some research on this Victory model and things don't seem to add up. It is blued with plain grips and a relatively high serial number (V 653 3XX). It does not look like a reblue as some of the bluing is gone from the backstrap and some is going plum. The barrel is marked "3.5 Tons". So some info is suggestive of an early lend lease revolver, while the serial number and plain grips suggest post 1942 - but then I would think it should be parked. It has a P marking on the upper right frame and an NP under a symbol on the barrel. Nothing on the topstrap. Also interesting is the stainless trigger and hammer. Any info would be much appreciated.

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Doubt that the hammer and trigger are stainless - most likely have been polished. I would suspect an old reblue. Are the grips varnished?
 
tiriaq said:
Doubt that the hammer and trigger are stainless - most likely have been polished. I would suspect an old reblue. Are the grips varnished?
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-- Thanks. It would appear, as they are somwhat shiney -- meaning artificially preserved by someone and further suggesting an old reblue?
 
That would be my guess, probably in England, after the revolver was sold surplus. Its hard to say without a physical inspection. But polishing the hammer and trigger would require complete disassembly.
 
Would the trigger and hammer not be case hardened or "blazed off" as the British say. When these get any amount of use the colours fade and they look bright. Just a suggestion. The frame and the cylinder also appear different shades of blue which could be from the fact they would be made of different types of steel. Revolver may just be in original condition. Nice revolver in any case. Dave
 
Thanks Dave. I know the numbers on the cylinder, barrel and frame match. I will try to post a better pic of the hammer and trigger. I did not know that about the case hardening. Having said that, I don't think this revolver got much use as the bore looks really nice.
 
itsacookbook said:
It does have a very nice trigger pull. :) Thanks for your assessment.
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Smith & Wesson Victory revolvers were well known for having a nice trigger pull....compared to Webley or Enfield revolvers.....they are supposed to have horrible trigger pulls....though they had better sights than a S&W..and faster reoading.

A S&W revolver was a sought after side arm by the British Commonwealth soldier.
 
x westie, in my experience this is very true. There is no comparison between the Victory and my Enfield No.2 MK I** when it comes to double action pull. In fact, the victory trigger, is much nicer than my model 10 as well. Having said that, I always have room for enfields and webley's too :)
 
Thanks for the info guys. Hitzy, have you seen other English Victory models with this same finish? If so, then perhaps it is the original finish after all.
 
Thanks for the info guys. Very helpful. I like it but I may hold out for a 100% original one. I may end up posting this one. Thanks again.
 
These can be just GREAT shooters, you know, and quite authentic wartime service types.

I have one marked with the C-Broad Arrow and it just loves a steady diet of .38 S&W brass, two-point-one grains of Bullseye and a 158-grain cast lead slug, the whole seated to the length of the correct (unavailable) 200-grain bullet. This gets you a 158-grain slug at about the same velocity as the 200, so NOT a heavy loading but quite the reverse. Very little recoil and lots of fun.
 
I have a parkerized .38 S&W Victory model that I enjoy a lot. The trigger really is smooth, but the rear sight is a joke :) The 5" barrel is in decent shape for it's age, and yes, the trigger and hammer are case-hardened. Mine says "United States Property" on the left side of the top strap. Thanks for all the info on this, I was wondering what it's worth.
 
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I just picked up (waiting to clear cfc) a 95% condition V model it is parked bore is perfect all matching grips are satin walnut unchequred stamped US Property ande GHD .so I think now I'm mostly complete with my ww1,ww2 allied side arms .I have a .455 webley.455 S+W,pre war No 2 wartime No2,1911 colt ,CDN issue Inglis ,chinese issue Inglis ,1895 Nagant,1944 Nagant oh and a captured artillery Luger (so the storey goes)
 
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