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01-07-2013, 11:30 PM
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Mystery Victory markings.
I'm aware the "G.H.D." are the inspector marks of Guy H. Drewry...
But any insight on these other markings would be appreciated.
Roe
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01-07-2013, 11:42 PM
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I am not sure, but I suggest these are German markings. We gave lots of Victory Revolvers to arm the German police agencies.
Hope this helps.
Steve
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01-07-2013, 11:52 PM
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Likely German PD. I have one with markings from a town in Germany.
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01-07-2013, 11:57 PM
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The 243 is a rack or inventory number. The WB stands for American Occupation Zone, district of Wurttemberg-Baden (now usually reversed in name order); the S for city police, and HDBG for the city of Heidelberg.
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Alan
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01-08-2013, 01:10 AM
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Thank you gentlemen...I appreciate both the quick replies and the fullness of the information.
Roe
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01-08-2013, 03:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by murphydog
The WB stands for American Occupation Zone, district of Wurttemberg-Baden (now usually reversed in name order); the S for city police, and HDBG for the city of Heidelberg.
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Wow, Alan. Great stuff. I would have got the rack number and the occupation zone mark, but the rest is great! I'm a bit ashamed I didn't pick up on the Heidelberg initials.
And was this right off the top of your head? You are a gem!
Jack
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01-08-2013, 09:13 AM
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Nah...I asked a similar question a few years back, and a very senior SWCA member was kind enough to decipher the stampings on a similar gun for me. Just passing the knowledge along .
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Alan
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01-08-2013, 09:45 AM
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Just one other bit of info to add to the excellent responses given. The marking on the frame below the cylinder in the last photo is GECO. GECO was primarily an German arms wholesale company and distributed guns made by others under their own and other labels. Apparently they ended up with some Victory models to sell at some point and applied their mark much like the import marks in this country. A Google search for Geco guns will provide you with more information.
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01-08-2013, 01:22 PM
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If there's more info to be had on those markings, and the gun's post-WWII history, you may want to contact Jim Mock at:
U.S. Carbines during the American Occupation
He's done an incredible amount of research on the Austrian/Bavarian history of post-WWII US weapons.
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01-08-2013, 06:07 PM
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Great info on the back-strap markings!
All I can add is that the Eagle/N on the the bbl and frame are the W/German nitro proof marks.
The revolver would have needed to be proofed in W/G before sale on the civilian/commercial market there.
GECO (Gustav Genschow & Co (SP?) probably bought them from the Police ,,had them proofed according to W/G law, then marked them with their stamp and resold them commercially.
GECO had been around for a long time already, a retailer of sporting goods of all types. You will see that same logo marking on all sorts of firearms & related accessories they traded in.
Just my guess as to the order of events of course..
IIRC, handguns were not allowed to be sold on the commercial market there till after 1955 or '58 (nor mfg'rd--reason why Walther had to move actual production to Manurhin, France before returning it to WG).
Can't remember the exact year,,but I think I'm close..Long guns were allowed a few years prior to handguns I believe.
Till that time, only Occupation Forces (mainly US GIs, WG Police & Security Forces could legally possess a handgun.
Interesting Victory. Those revolvers sure got around,,
Last edited by 2152hq; 01-08-2013 at 06:10 PM.
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01-08-2013, 06:21 PM
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Any idea what type victory-holsters were issued by the Germans ?
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01-08-2013, 09:33 PM
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They built flap holsters similar to their P-08/P-38 styles look under the barrel on mine that where the individual proofhouse and date marking are located (they are on there somewhere).
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01-09-2013, 12:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MOONDAWG
Outstanding posts!
There's so much history behind these great old revolvers it makes one wonder why there aren't more people interesting in them.
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Ditto...and thanks for all the replies. It sure has peaked my interest and negotiations are underway. We'll see how it plays out this weekend.
Roe
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01-10-2013, 01:55 AM
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The GECO mark is still in use to this day. GECO merged into a larger company a while ago, but the mark is still a registered trademark.
I have a Victory Model that also has the GECO mark, but it's located on the bottom strap. The revolver also has German proof marks on the barrel and frame as well as the Munich proof house mark on the frame.
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