Smith & Wesson Victory Revolver
Smith & Wesson Victory Revolver
Hey guys! Today we shot the Smith & Wesson Victory Revolver thanks to general coin and gun exchange! The S&W Victory Revolver was made during WW2 as noted by the V in front of the serial number. From my research, this one was made sometime after Feb 1942 and before May 1943.
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When I started my Law Enforcement career, with my home town PD, back in 1976 it was something of a "tradition" of sorts to issue new hires the oldest equipment in department inventory. I was issued the revolver that the last officer killed in the line of duty (it took a bit unintentional homework to make the discovery) had been carrying at the time of his murder in 1975. It was a "pencil barrel M10-1 and I carried that revolver until I enlisted in the Army in 1980….BUT a fellow Officer and recent hire (hired and sworn in only days after I was) was issued what at the time looked like a freak compared to more recently produced S&Ws….It felt different in the hand and never seemed to shoot to the same point of aim twice. the Officer who had been issued this revolver had become a close friend of mine and we were often paired in the same patrol car working one of the two roughest parts of town. Long story short, during a firearms qualification cycle I had the occasion to shoot, handle and examine that odd looking revolver and realized it was an early Victory! When our department switched to +P ammo I felt that my friend and fellow Officer might have a problem with the revolver and the ammo. I contacted S&W and spoke with a gent there who sounded like he was going to faint when I told him what was what. I was told that the Victory models WERE NOT TO FIRED with +P ammo and that the revolver should be retired from duty IMMEDIATELY. Thankfully my friend did not have to rely on his service revolver to save his own or the life of anyone else before, thanks to printed documentation I was able to find and show to the "brass hats" in the department, the Victory was withdraw from use and my friend was then issued an almost new M10-3 which he carried for several years until the department switched over to S&W 9mm pistols in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Enjoyed the video as usual but I STRONGLY recommend that you use caution when it comes to using any ammo other standard pressure stuff. Take care and keep the great videos coming!
There were more than a million Victories made, about half for the USA in .38 Special before the +P ammo and the rest for the British and their Empire in .38 S&W proprietary cartridge. My uncle, a Medic serving in Europe sent back pictures, wearing a holstered S&W. Wonder who has that gun now ?
The 1954 movie The Bridges At Toko Ri depicts a U.S. Navy pilot during the Korean War
(1950-1953). His jet flies over North Korea from a Navy aircraft carrier in the Sea of Japan.
His sidearm was a World War II (1939-1945) vintage Smith and Wesson .38 Special
Victory Model with 4" barrel, wood grips, and butt lanyard. Anyway while flying a bombing
mission over North Korea his jet takes a direct hit from ground artillery. The pilot then is
forced to crash land behind enemy lines. He also carries a survival or hunting knife sheathed on his flight suit. But unfortunately for him, and a fellow Navy rescuer, both are killed by North Korean troops. During World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam War (1961-1975) the standard military .38 Special service load was the M-41 130 grain full metal jacket. This same load was issued to U.S. Air Force Security Police, and no doubt U.S. Navy and Marine Corp, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and perhaps even U.S. Army (limited use).
James A. "Jim" Farmer
Merrill, Oregon (Klamath County)
That was really fine shooting. A Victory model just like that is one of the guns on my "bucket list" to get. Not at the top of the list, but if I find a good one at a pawn or gun shop, it’s going home with me.
Is this the same as a Model 10?
q hermosa es está arma
Have a 1924 38 special. Not a Victory, no V on the serial no. Love shooting it. Had it at the range two days ago. Still a great shooter.
With the victory model, be very careful if you have the .38 S&W cartridge or .38 special factory stamp on the gun, or the converted to .38 special by blah,blah company. .38 S&W marked should use .38 S&W ammo(.360 diameter, short case) . .38 spcl marked guns,, .38 special ammo (I know , Duh) .357 diameter, long case. .38 special will usually split the case in .38 S&W gun and the .357 diameter bullet will not shoot accurately. I know I am probably preaching to the choir here, but I have seen some crazy things and still read some crazy questions about the little S&W, including someone I no longer associate with asking if it was ok to shoot .357 mag in a poorly converted Victory. (sound of me running screaming the other way.)
Mine was power engraved CIVIL DEFENSE … Lanyard ring on bottom of frame … Hand loaded light charges with a reversed hbwc …
Your v is on the left side of the strap on the bottom of the grip, my v is on the right side next to the serial number. Also the left side stamp just above the cylinder that you referred to is not on mine at all, any idea why. My serial # is v154801
Great video! Where abouts are you in Northern WI.? I like to shoot up in the Minocqua/Arbor Vitae area.
Great video. Being parkerized puts your Victory after April of 1942. Mine was made under a US Army contract because of a P stamp, but was probably used to guard some sensitive installation since there is no US Property marked on it.
Nice shooting, that is a great gun considering the age.
Are these chrome lined ?
I have a victory revolver that was my grandpa’s. He was in the navy during World War ll, mainly in the Philippines. He worked in the supply room on the ship he was on because he was one of the few who knew how to type. Him and one of his buddies stashed a few of these revolvers away in the engine room to bring home. Unfortunately they got saltwater on them and the one I have is really pitted on the barrel and trigger gaurd. Still really cool though, I wouldn’t trade it for any gun out there.
I’d like to get one someday
Great video, excellent piece of history! Whereabouts are you in Northern Wisconsin? I love the St. Germain area.
Hey Josh, you’re right about some early Victory’s ending up in Allied etc hands, mine is 1942 dated (with matching serial numbers) ended up being used by New Zealand. Sadly she’s had to be deactivated, aka butchered, to be legal to own over here (UK) but she’s still one good looking piece!