Wheel Gun Wednesday! Victory Model

Published on August 17, 2022
Duration: 3:41

This video provides a historical overview and technical comparison of the Smith & Wesson Victory Model revolvers, focusing on their production during World War II. It details the differences between the .38 S&W and .38 Special cartridges, discusses the firearm's specifications like frame size and barrel length, and touches upon its service history and post-war surplus market.

Quick Summary

The Smith & Wesson Victory Model, a WWII K-frame revolver, was produced with a utilitarian finish for rapid deployment. Key distinctions include its chambering (.38 Special for the U.S., .38 S&W for Commonwealth nations) and a 'V' prefix serial number. Conversions to .38 Special from .38 S&W can cause extraction issues.

Chapters

  1. 00:06Introduction: Going Retro
  2. 00:12Smith & Wesson Victory Model Overview
  3. 00:20Wartime Production Finish
  4. 00:29Caliber: .38 S&W vs. .38 Special
  5. 00:51Firearm Specifications: K-Frame, Barrel Length
  6. 01:06.38 S&W Cartridge History
  7. 01:31Rechambering Dangers: .38 Special Conversions
  8. 01:57K-Frame Production Numbers
  9. 02:06Cartridge Comparison: .38 S&W vs. .38 Special Bullets
  10. 02:41.38 Special Cartridge Details
  11. 02:53Bullet Weight and Velocity Differences
  12. 03:01Victory Model Identification ('V' Stamp)
  13. 03:19Surplus and Origin (Australia)

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguished the Smith & Wesson Victory Model revolvers produced during WWII?

Victory Models featured a non-bright finish to expedite production for military use. Those for the U.S. were in .38 Special, while British Commonwealth versions were in .38 S&W. They are identifiable by a 'V' prefix on the serial number.

What are the key differences between the .38 S&W and .38 Special cartridges?

The .38 S&W, introduced in 1876, is an older cartridge typically using a 146-grain bullet and historically black powder. The .38 Special is longer, uses a standard 158-grain bullet, and achieves higher velocities (around 850 fps vs. 650 fps for .38 S&W).

Why is rechambering a .38 S&W revolver to .38 Special potentially problematic?

Rechambering can create a bottleneck effect in the cylinder when firing .38 Special rounds, leading to erratic extraction and performance issues. It's generally not recommended to fire .38 Special from a cylinder originally chambered for .38 S&W.

What are the typical specifications of a Smith & Wesson Victory Model?

The Victory Model is a K-frame revolver. This specific example features a 6-shot cylinder and a 5-inch barrel. While chambered in .38 S&W for this example, U.S. contract models were in .38 Special.

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