[mkk41]

slug the bore, they are much larger than the .357 and .355 bullets readily available.

a true .38 calibre

No, they are not. They used the same barrels. At least those I've slugged and measured. The chamber of the .38 S&W cylinders are larger, as the OD of the cartridge cases are. Many .38 S&W chambers had the shoulders reamed, which could result in split cases. But the barrels were identical. I've swapped out quite a few cylinders for .38 Special back when they were relatively cheap.

 

[Kamerer]

No, they are not. They used the same barrels. At least those I've slugged and measured. The chamber of the .38 S&W cylinders are larger, as the OD of the cartridge cases are. Many .38 S&W chambers had the shoulders reamed, which could result in split cases. But the barrels were identical. I've swapped out quite a few cylinders for .38 Special back when they were relatively cheap.

This.

I don’t want to step into something but the barrels are the same. I’ve had about five of these over time (only one now) but except for cylinders they are the same.

 

[martin08]

My Victory was very poorly plated & had fake stag grips installed. The nickel on the working surfaces has mostly rubbed away. It's a mess. So bad that I've considered spraying a black matte finish over the whole thing to look sorta as-issued. Plus adding some decent used grips, of course.

Some refinishes were better than others.

Here is one I found that had been lightly buffed and then blued. Someone took the time to leave the screw heads rounded, and keep the hammer and trigger still in case color.

 

[riposte191145]

Some victories were issued in .38 Spl. Some blue and some Parkerized - I have one, Parkerized, issued to the Army Air Corps. A friend had one that belonged to his Uncle who was a Prohibition Agent and he lettered it, it was part of the Merchant Marine contract but it went directly to the US Treasury Dept. His was blue.

I forget the year but Victories before a certain date did not have the hammer block. The story is that after some Navy guy had one go off when he dropped it, they installed the internal hammer block - I have no idea if this is a true story, I've always been a bit skeptical.

Riposte

 

[slimwilson]

Like owning a little bit of history! I prefer new ie last 30years made firearms but I definitely admire you guys that collect antiques. Keep up the good work. Semper Fi and Can Do

 

[LouisianaJoe]

After WWII, because of restrictions put on larger calibers, many revolvers in the UK were converted to .22LR by putting sleeves in the barrel and cylinder.
I have a 38-200 that was converted by Parker-Hale. They also put an adjustable sight on it.
The hammer was altered to strike the rim on the inside.
It is very accurate.

 

[magazineman]

LouisianaJoe --------- Wow! That's really sweet. I'm gonna send my hoopty 'ol Victory to those boys at Parker Hale right now

 

[old tanker]

...I forget the year but Victories before a certain date did not have the hammer block. The story is that after some Navy guy had one go off when he dropped it, they installed the internal hammer block - I have no idea if this is a true story, I've always been a bit skeptical.

Riposte

It is true. After the Navy accident, S&W revised the lockwork. Revolvers with the improved sliding hammer block had an "S" prefix to the serial number. This started on the K frames during Victory Model production, specifically in December, 1944, with shipments beginning in January, 1945.

 

[mkk41]

It is true. After the Navy accident, S&W revised the lockwork. Revolvers with the improved sliding hammer block had an "S" prefix to the serial number. This started on the K frames during Victory Model production, specifically in December, 1944, with shipments beginning in January, 1945.

Right, the Navy guns were marked with a VS.

 

[mlin]

Here is an example. Side plate marked w/ S and SV Sn#.

http://www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/sw_sv774890/Victory%20Model%20SV%20SN.htm

 

[Sweetvictor]

Magazineman... your are hilarious!🤣🤣🤣🤣😭😭