Victory .38 Special

[tw3b3b]

Hi, new to the forum. My grandfather (Army Air Corps vet) gave me his S&W .38 SPL Victory shoulder holster from WW2 before he passed on and I'm trying to locate a Victory model .38 special 4" barrel US version for it that he would have carried in it, the markings on the holster are exact matches to that gun. I've looked on gunbroker and seen some nice ones for around $400-$600. I'm not planning to shoot it, and will only keep it in his holster in a display box I'm building to honor him and his service in WW2. Since I'm not firing it, has anyone seen any non-functionals out there that might be cheaper? If anyone has one they could part with for a good cause, or has seen any for sale, please drop me a line. I'm active military myself (23 years) and this means a lot to me.

Thanks!
TJ

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

I was able to find a Victory model a few years ago for under $300 at a local swap meet. Good luck on your search.

[Absalom]

Welcome to the forum.

A non-functional one is going to be tricky. These didn't break that easily, especially not while still being in nice display condition and in such a way as to be non-functional but visually not impaired .

If they're nice, people will repair them, if not, part them out and sell the components. Only once in a blue moon will I see one pop up offered for sale as defective or a parts gun. The price range you found on GB is about right for nice-condition functional ones. You can possibly find one a bit cheaper with non-matching stocks.

Make sure you find one with a property stamping on the topstrap. Unmarked ones were shipped to non-military destinations. Good luck! Maybe someone here can help you.

[JH1951]

Welcome from Pennsylvania!
Good luck in your search! I hope things work out well.

[robertrwalsh]

FYI, long term storage in a leather holster is bad. Modern leather is acid tanned. Leather is by its nature hydroscopic. Leaving a gun in a leather holster is the same thing as a very mild, long-term acid bath unless the environment is very, very, very dry. Suggest display next to holster, not in holster. Plus that way you can see the gun better. In the holster it is hard to see at all. Good hunting. I think I paid about $400 for my 4" .38 special Victory about 4 years ago. bit mine is in pretty decent shape and fully functional.

[opoefc]

Suggestion: You might search for a replica Victory Model ( non-firing) as their appearance is identical to the real thing and in a GI shoulder holster, all you are going to see is the butt and the hammer area protruding. A supplier of WW2 re-enactor ordnance should have look alike replicas. Ed.

[Targets Guy]

Welcome to the forum. I've gotten both of my Victorys (from Gunbroker) for under $500 but you have to be patient. Also try gunsinternational.com
and this site's gun sale forum.

I like what you are doing.