Dad's Victory Model

[Mobjack118]

I have seen the term “Victory database” used in a number of posts so I guess this post is something to add to that. Plus I am very proud of this family heirloom. What I have is my father’s Victory Model , SN 360984 that was issued to him “off the books” when he was a Navy doctor assigned to duty in China in April of 1945. Dad said the Marines gave him a choice between a Red Cross arm band and the pistol to keep. Most of the medical personnel took the pistols since the Japanese tended to use the arm band as a target. I included a picture of my father wearing the pistol on his web belt; he is the one on the far right. So I know this Victory Model’s history from that point forward. It has been in my family ever since, where it shall remain. Nevertheless, I have included a few pictures of the pistol that include most of the marking I could see on it. (There are a few more but they only give you room to post 5.) I would welcome whatever information you may have on this particular Victory Model’s origins and finish. I think it is parkerized but there has been discussion of so many finishes that Victory Models may have I am not sure now. Looking forward to your comments.

[murphydog]

Hi, and welcome. The finish on these is called Black Magic, a similar process to Parkerizing. The small letters and numbers on the grip frame are assembly or fitter's marks. The letter S may indicate that it has the then-new style hammer block. If you can give the full letter and partial number from the bottom of the grip frame (SV or V789xxx), someone will be along to tell you when it was made.

A priceless heirloom, not to mention I have a special place in my heart for the Navy Medical Corps .

[kikokat]

That's a very nice looking Victory. Of particular value is the history of the weapon as it relates to your family.
That's a heirloom that should be passed down for generations to come. Nice that you have pics of your dad with it.
Congrats!

[psango]

Originally Posted by kikokat

That's a very nice looking Victory. Of particular value is the history of the weapon as it relates to your family.
That's a heirloom that should be passed down for generations to come. Nice that you have pics of your dad with it.
Congrats!

You said it, looking at the pix from WII gave me goose bumps. A wonderful piece of history! I have great respect for all those who served our nation and in particular the veterans from that theatre of the war.

[CQB27]

What a great piece of history and part of your's father life you have there. An excellent post, thanks for sharing it with us.

[Mobjack118]

Thank you all for the kind words. I have attached the pictures of the butt with the serial number.

[ordnanceguy]

Hello Mobjack:

What a wonderful example of the Victory, especially with the family history attached. Hang on tight to that one.

Thanks for providing the details, too. It is so much easier responding to an inquiry when the details are provided up front. From the Victory Model Database, which my pal LWCmdr45 and I maintain, I can tell you that your Victory likely shipped from the factory in the July, 1943 time frame. I agree with Murphydog's comments as well.

Am I correct in assuming that your Victory bears on its left top strap the marking U.S. Property GHD?

Hope this information is helpful to you. Thanks for supplying your data for the Database.

[Mobjack118]

Hey Ordnanceguy:

Thank you for the comments. Here are a few of more pictures, top strap, frame & cylinder. One day I plan to assemble a presentation case that will contain the pistol, the picture, and my Dad's medals from WWII. It will go to one of my sons. Oldest is in the Army and the younger is in the Marines. I have what's left of the holster that he carried in during the war. Dad cut the flap down to a strap and removed the belt attachment. He kept the pistol in it in his night stand drawer for the rest of his life. I recently found a surplus holster on ebay exactly like the original. Of course I had to have it and was glad to be able to win it in the auction.

[Citiboy289]

What a wonderful piece of Family history , that needs to be always retained in the family and passed on for generations!!!!! What you have will always far outbound any collectors value ,

[ajpelz]

Photographs of your dad saving the world with the gun that is now yours, Priceless. Congrats. Thanks for posting.