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10-10-2009, 12:55 PM
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SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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""Victory Model" devoid of Gov't markings.
My 4" 38 Special V77420 was shipped 8/19/42 to Springfield Armory. Other than the the usual S&W stampings there are no markings on it at all. No GHD or flaming bomb or anything to suggest military duty. It does have the lanyard ring.
Is this common? I assume it was sent on to a civilian police agency or maybe a security guard at a defense plant or is it possible to be a military pistol without and markings?.
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10-10-2009, 01:05 PM
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Yeah, I think so. Mine has no government markings either.
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10-10-2009, 01:16 PM
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S:
There were some Victory Models without property, proof or inspection markings which entered US service. Most of those did so after the war when some DSC guns were turned in and became part of the military inventory. Others letter as going to military destinations but have none of the usual markings. The latter guns are anomalies for which I have no good explanation.
Your Victory Model serial appears in the Victory Model Database. It is recorded as having shipped to the US Navy at the Springfield Armory, certainly an odd destination for a Navy gun. The Database also records that the 4" barrel on your revolver was replaced with a 5" barrel because of a bulge. Is it possible that your revolver has been refinished? If so, that process might have obscured or eliminated any of the expected property, proof and acceptance markings found on the military Victory Models.
HTH.
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Charlie Flick
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10-10-2009, 01:44 PM
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My 4" Victory is also unmarked. My S&W Letter indicates it was manufactured in 1942, and was shipped to a company in Alabama, apparently for issuance to a defense contractor.
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10-10-2009, 03:04 PM
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Beemerguy53,
Can you post which company in Alabama?
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10-10-2009, 04:23 PM
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My dad's (now mine) old Victory Model, S.N.# V321451, 4", .38 Special, is also devoid of any military markings. This was his service revolver until he retired, can't remember exactly if it was 1979 or 1980. Since I got it, I replaced the original grips and lanyard ring with a set of Pachmayr Grippers. Love that old gun. While looking for any markings, I noticed that the S&W logo had been stamped deeper on one side that the other. Kinda funny. I'd like to run across an inexpensive 4" in .38 S&W (.38/200) to match. I don't like the 5" barrels. I've got a soft spot for the .38 S&W. My first gun was my maternal grandfather's .38 S&W caliber Victor revolver that he used to carry when he was a railroad detective for the EJ&E (Elgin, Joliet, & Eastern) railroad way back when. He was born in 1880. -Ed.
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Last edited by ect1222t; 10-10-2009 at 04:38 PM.
Reason: addition
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10-10-2009, 04:29 PM
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I reckon I need to cough up 50 bucks and have mine lettered.
Mine was my dad's. I remember as a kid shooting that beauty.
Mom called me about a year ago and said that she and dad were making out their wills. What did I want. I told her all I wanted was dad's old .38 Special.
He presented it to me last Christmas. It was the best Christmas gift I had ever received or will ever receive in my entire life.
Thanks Dad!
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10-10-2009, 04:30 PM
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SWCA Member Absent Comrade
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It has been refinished but not buffed to death. The S&W markings are strong and clear so I don't think any added stampings have been eradicated.
Roy's letter says it was part of a Navy contract and it was shipped to Sp. Ar. in MA. That's all I know.
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10-10-2009, 06:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SaxonPig
It has been refinished but not buffed to death. The S&W markings are strong and clear so I don't think any added stampings have been eradicated.
Roy's letter says it was part of a Navy contract and it was shipped to Sp. Ar. in MA. That's all I know.
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Could Sp. Ar. in MA. be the Boston Naval Yard?
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