Smith & Wesson Victory

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Dragon48
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Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Dragon48 »

Picked up a pretty nice example of an early Victory in .38 Special. I believe it to be a late 1942 or perhaps early 1943. It has no US Property markings of any type. It is numbers matching on the frame, barrel and inside right grip. Research seems to indicate that it was an early issue to an agency or contractor for security guards. I don't think there were many Specials made early on as most seem to be .38. It has "231" stamped on the lower back strap. I'm wondering if that is indicative of the agency/entity it was issued to. The left grip is a different color and may have been a replacement. The inside left grip is not serialized as was often the custom, I'm led to believe. Parkerizing is in pretty good shape. Lockup,is tight but with a bit of a rotational wiggle in the cylinder. Timing is very good.
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"I think the Johnnys are getting rattled; they are afraid of our repeating rifles. They say we are not fair, that we have guns that we load up on Sunday and shoot all the rest of the week."
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Brian the Brit
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Brian the Brit »

Looks nice ,
Have you used it yet ?
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Dragon48
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Dragon48 »

Nope. Cleaned it up a bit this morning. Going to the range with it and a couple of other pistolas next Friday. With all this recent craziness, I'm trying to manage my ammo expenditure. Don't have much .38 special on hand.
"I think the Johnnys are getting rattled; they are afraid of our repeating rifles. They say we are not fair, that we have guns that we load up on Sunday and shoot all the rest of the week."
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Junk Yard Dog
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Junk Yard Dog »

Nice looking revolver :) The 231 is probably an agency or company number.
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
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Dragon48
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Dragon48 »

That's what I was thinking too. Probably have to go to S&W archives to get that. I think they want $50 for that. I'm a cheapskate.
"I think the Johnnys are getting rattled; they are afraid of our repeating rifles. They say we are not fair, that we have guns that we load up on Sunday and shoot all the rest of the week."
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Celt
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Celt »

Nice! Those are the nicest revolvers I've ever shot. I've got a model 10-5 in nickel that ticks like a Swiss watch.
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Dragon48
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Dragon48 »

Thanks. It's a very interesting piece. I carried an issue one in the Marine Corps right up til I retired n 91. Handling it was like coming home.
"I think the Johnnys are getting rattled; they are afraid of our repeating rifles. They say we are not fair, that we have guns that we load up on Sunday and shoot all the rest of the week."
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Junk Yard Dog
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Junk Yard Dog »

That letter from S&W should add at least $50-$100 to the value of the piece and any gunsmith worth their salt should be able to tighten the lockwork up for you. The S&W company would probably do it for you.
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
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Dragon48
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Dragon48 »

Wow. Okay, I'll look into that. I tossed an inquiry via the S&W forum. I'll bring it to my gunsmith for a look. I'm not sure it's even bad. Just a little rotation. Not a budge fore and aft. He'll look at it for free. I'll just bring donuts.. Besides I need to brag on my little coach gun too.
"I think the Johnnys are getting rattled; they are afraid of our repeating rifles. They say we are not fair, that we have guns that we load up on Sunday and shoot all the rest of the week."
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Junk Yard Dog
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Junk Yard Dog »

:thumbsup:
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
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Noble Sniper
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Noble Sniper »

Very nice revolver ;)
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Dragon48
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Dragon48 »

Thanks Noble. Can't wait to shoot it this Friday.
"I think the Johnnys are getting rattled; they are afraid of our repeating rifles. They say we are not fair, that we have guns that we load up on Sunday and shoot all the rest of the week."
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Rongo
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Rongo »

Looks Good! :vcool: :vcool:
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Dragon48
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Dragon48 »

Range report later this week!
"I think the Johnnys are getting rattled; they are afraid of our repeating rifles. They say we are not fair, that we have guns that we load up on Sunday and shoot all the rest of the week."
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Junk Yard Dog
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Junk Yard Dog »

Look forward to hearing how it shoots :)
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
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desdem12
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by desdem12 »

:vcool: :vcool: :vcool:
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Brian the Brit
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Brian the Brit »

Nice Revolver , I want one :Drool1:
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Dragon48
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Dragon48 »

It shot great for something just a few years older than me.
"I think the Johnnys are getting rattled; they are afraid of our repeating rifles. They say we are not fair, that we have guns that we load up on Sunday and shoot all the rest of the week."
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Junk Yard Dog
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Re: Smith & Wesson Victory

Post by Junk Yard Dog »

:lol:
Leave it as it is. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.
Theodore Roosevelt
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