Gun Review: 1942 Smith & Wesson Victory Revolver

The Truth About Guns ^ | 3 February, 2011 | Ryan Finn

[Tijeras_Slim]

I think you’re speaking of the M13 Aircrewman which had an alloy cylinder. These were shipped to the Air Force in the 50’s, and usually had the C serial number prefix. Many were destroyed, frequently with a cutting torch. They were engraved on the top strap.

Surviving models are some of the most sought after Smiths and counterfeits are common enough that even Smith’s historian Roy Jinks will only comment in factory letters that revolver serial number XXXXXX with alloy cylinder what shipped to the Air Force, and not oficially declare it an Aircrewman.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Likely a Commando, which was Colt’s version of the Victory. Much smaller production numbers.

Six rounds should have been enough. ;)

[barb-tex]

Interesting Piece. One of these passed through my hands years ago but i can't remember what happened to it.

[R W Reactionairy]

Correct me if I am wrong but the M&P was / is a K Frame. In 38 Special pretty much a lower finish Model 10 from the era before S&W started using model numbers rather than model names.

[marktwain]

Since it is in such rough shape, I will generously take it off your hands for a small sum. ;-)

[marktwain]

Yes, it is a K frame gun. Very nice revolvers. I have owned quite a few. I admit that I am partial to those with 6” or longer barrels, but the 4” barrels are handier to holster while riding in a car.

[Ramius]

I have a 1909 Colt, .45LC. In very nice condition. I know it was originally sold to the USMC and issued to a Marine in Seattle during WW1. I know where it ended up (the guy I bought it from) but I have no idea what all happened in between.

[marktwain]

Please remember to document what you know and to pass it along with the gun. It is a part of history, and whoever gains possession of your gun 50 years from now will appreciate it.

I have an old Russian Nagant revolver that was purchased by the Czar, went through WWI, the Russian revolution, the white and red wars, the Stalin era, WWII, and everything afterward up until the end of the Soviet Union. The Russian Communists never threw anything away, and they were short of every weapon in WWII, so it almost certainly saw action, even if only to execute those who were enemies of the state.

I'd like to know the details, but I never will.

[Ramius]

Oh yes! Absolutely. I already have.

[Wizdum]

Pre-42 Victory models are rarer in this category. They are really very simple to identify as original.

Make sure the weapon is unloaded.
Cock the hammer and check if the hammer block is there. This is a post-42 modification that was done to most of the Victory's after a sailor dropped one 3 decks and it went off.
If there is no hammer block, remove the side plate to see if it is machined for the hammer block. Original models will not have this.

This modification of including the hammerblock has been a safety feature of ALL S&W revolvers to this day.

[marktwain]

Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages. If you can keep the revolver clean, it probably is more reliable with questionable ammo. Under difficult circumstances, but with excellent ammo, good quality semi-autos, such as the Glock, have the advantage.

I like both of them, and carry both depending on the circumstances.

[Gaffer]

I one that is absolutely cherry in every respect. Carried by a T.A Featherstone during the war. Have the holster, too. It ranks in the top 5 of my collection.

[VOA]

“
By the time the second half of the War to End All Wars rolled around,
fighting six guns were relegated to historical footnotes.
Living on only through the legends of John Wayne and Doc Holliday, right?
Wrong. Smith & Wesson revolvers went to war.
“

DECADES AGO, as a teenager, a fellow church-goer had one of these revolvers.
I suppose it was from his father (served in Korea?).
My memory is dim, but IIRC, there was minimal stamping on the gun,
such as no serial number.
Perhaps it was impressed on a part of the gun you wouldn’t see until
the gun was disembled for cleaning.