S&W .38 Victory Proof Marks?

**gallerygun4u** · December 14th, 2011, 04:51 AM

Cleaning the old mans S&W Victory revolver today when i noticed some faded proof marks i had never noticed before. Stamped very small underneath Made In USA, is the following: "IA CO SAC CA". Import Arms Co. Sacramento CA, is what comes up when i search for it, although nothing dealing with a S&W Victory, can anyone shed any light as to why these marks are there?

**PaBimmerGuy** · December 14th, 2011, 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by gallerygun4u

Cleaning the old mans S&W Victory revolver today when i noticed some faded proof marks i had never noticed before. Stamped very small underneath Made In USA, is the following: "IA CO SAC CA". Import Arms Co. Sacramento CA, is what comes up when i search for it, although nothing dealing with a S&W Victory, can anyone shed any light as to why these marks are there?

many victory models were sent to british commonwealth countries. to get home most would have been brought back by a licensed importer who has to mark his company's name on the gun.

**gallerygun4u** · December 14th, 2011, 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by PaBimmerGuy

many victory models were sent to british commonwealth countries. to get home most would have been brought back by a licensed importer who has to mark his company's name on the gun.

Ah, i understand, so this was more then likely a "lend lease" gun then? He has another victory gun that was one as well, stamped with an Austrian Police mark.

**PaBimmerGuy** · December 14th, 2011, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by gallerygun4u

Ah, i understand, so this was more then likely a "lend lease" gun then? He has another victory gun that was one as well, stamped with an Austrian Police mark.

likely. is it a .38 special or .38 s&w?

**gallerygun4u** · December 14th, 2011, 05:47 AM

Originally Posted by PaBimmerGuy

likely. is it a .38 special or .38 s&w?

The gun in question is chambered in .38 special, single action, 4 inch barrel, the Austrian marked is .38 S&W, double action, 6 inch barrel.

**PaBimmerGuy** · December 14th, 2011, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by gallerygun4u

The gun in question is chambered in .38 special, single action, 4 inch barrel, the Austrian marked is .38 S&W, double action, 6 inch barrel.

single action? that must have been a conversion or something is broken.

**gallerygun4u** · December 14th, 2011, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by PaBimmerGuy

single action? that must have been a conversion or something is broken.

it's factory, they where converted to single action after a sailor was killed putting his victory in a holster with the hammer cocked.

**Dave_n** · December 15th, 2011, 11:18 AM

No, the modification was shown by an "S" after the "V". This was insertion of a hammer block, not conversion to SA.

Go to the Smith and Wesson Forum and ask there. They are the experts on S&Ws, with a lot of information on M&P revolvers (which the Victory series are part of). Known today as the model 10. Dave_n