Interesting Pre-Victory model

[KEN L]

I ran across this one the other day and was intrigued by the "United States Property" marking on the topstrap, rather than the U.S.Property mark. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. Obviously the gun is in rough shape. The bore is nice and still chambered in the original .38 S&W caliber. I'm guessing probably Dec 1941 or Jan 1942 ship date.






Anyone know the meaning of the W.B. by the ordinance bomb?

[Absalom]

I would agree on the approximate ship date, and the long version of the property stamping is appropriate for that time period. Lend-lease pre-Vic BSR's began to receive that stamping in late 1941 and it continued until about May 1943 and serial V300,000 (per Pate) before switching to the short US PROPERTY version. W.B. is Waldemar Broberg, Hartford/Springfield Ordnance District inspector.

[DWalt]

From SNs I have listed, the topstrap stamping changeover from UNITED STATES PROPERTY to U. S. PROPERTY probably began around V27xxxx, and as typical, both markings may have been used simultaneously during a transition period. I'd say yours could have been shipped as late as Summer 1942. I list 8944xx as shipping in 7/42.

[Targets Guy]

My s/n 765xxx shipped in April 1941
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and s/n 877xxx shipped in December 1941
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s/n 975xxx shipped in Apr 1942
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[Absalom]

Originally Posted by DWalt

..... I'd say yours could have been shipped as late as Summer 1942. I list 8944xx as shipping in 7/42.

I think that one was still produced in late 1941 and held back for some reason, likely quality control as happened frequently. Weren't four- and five-digit V-prefix guns shipping by July?

[DWalt]

Originally Posted by Absalom

I think that one was still produced in late 1941 and held back for some reason, likely quality control as happened frequently. Weren't four- and five-digit V-prefix guns shipping by July?

Indeed there were. The lowest Victory I show shipping in July 42 is V21xx, the highest is V494xx. But there is also a sprinkling of pre-Victories having July shipments, probably holdbacks for one reason or other. If you go back a bit to May and June 42 shipments, there are many pre-Victories on my list (which is not comprehensive).
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