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10-24-2016, 05:40 PM
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U.S. Navy Victory Model in 38 Special
I was recently given a wonderful gift: a Victory Model 38 with US Navy markings on the top strap. It seems in good condition and all serial numbers match, except the grips. The lanyard is still on and it is in excellent mechanical condition. Wondering what the panel of experts can tell me? Year perhaps? Did the Navy models ship to different receiving bases or just one (if I should letter it, what should we expect?). Might someone know what serial ranges went to the Marine Corps?
I was a bit surprised to learn that these guns have minimal markings. The "US NAVY" on the top strap seems to be the only government identifier.
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10-24-2016, 06:00 PM
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I'm not up to speed on the Victories, but to my untrained eye, that looks like a nice one.
Regards,
Bruce
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Regards,
Bruce
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10-24-2016, 06:52 PM
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Nice gun ..I just won one on gun broker myself
navy marked ones generally go for 700+ and yours is real nice
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John Hermesmeyer USMC9296
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10-24-2016, 07:40 PM
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V157300 would likely have shipped Nov-Dec 1942. They were made under Navy purchase contracts at that time, not Army, and apparently the Navy did not require the markings the Army did. Those made after about V266xxx were no longer marked as U. S. NAVY on the topstrap. The Navy revolvers usually were shipped to various Navy receiving depots, not to individual ships or bases. I doubt that anyone kept track of those Navy SNs which went to the USMC, but it's possible that original Navy weapons inventory records could give some information - if anyone could get access to them. I'd imagine most of the USMC revolvers went to USMC aviators.
Navy-stamped guns will usually bring some price premium, but they are in no way rare or even scarce. There are other variations of the Victory which were made in much smaller numbers.
Last edited by DWalt; 10-24-2016 at 07:52 PM.
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10-25-2016, 07:49 AM
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Thank you DWALT! I hoped you would chime in as K-frames are certainly your area.
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10-25-2016, 08:53 AM
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Looks just like the one I carried as Shore Patrol Officer in the 1970's. The Navy tends to get all their money's worth out of small arms. Lol.
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