Victory Base

[oger]

I'll add another Victory to the base. It's not mine but I can relay the info. It's # V73 USN Property DOD #1643 4in 38sp. The story I got was it came out of an auction in Cal. a long time ago. Pictures may be a problem I have seen it and it is almost brand new, all numbers match, not a rebuild. Roy says June of 42 ship date.

[DWalt]

I list several other very low SN Victories as shipping in 6-7/42. I also have listed some very high SN pre-Victories also shipping in 6/42. From what I see, it appears that 6/42 is the boundary for pre-Victory/Victory shipping.

[Absalom]

I’m curious about the “DOD #1643”. Is that stamped on the gun somewhere?

[Targets Guy]

Originally Posted by DWalt

I list several other very low SN Victories as shipping in 6-7/42. I also have listed some very high SN pre-Victories also shipping in 6/42. From what I see, it appears that 6/42 is the boundary for pre-Victory/Victory shipping.

That jives with s/n I have copied.

975093 shipped 5/42
962383 shipped 4/42

[DWalt]

I don't know what DOD would have meant back then. Definitely not Department of Defense as it did not exist under that title prior to 1949.

[oger]

The Gentleman that owns the pistol says it says dod 1643 but he gave me a pencil lead paper scratching of the stamping and I see USN Property
over Nod 1543. I will get him to show me the pistol again so I can make sure. The stamping is very lite so maybe a little white chalk will help.

[Absalom]

Originally Posted by oger

The Gentleman that owns the pistol says it says dod 1643 but he gave me a pencil lead paper scratching of the stamping and I see USN Property
over Nod 1543. I will get him to show me the pistol again so I can make sure. The stamping is very lite so maybe a little white chalk will help.

Just where is that stamping? “USN Property” is not a legitimate marking on a Victory, and I’m at a loss about the rest.

A Navy Victory from that period should have US NAVY and nothing else on the topstrap. It MIGHT have a “Property of US Navy” engraved in the frame below the cylinder latch.

[oger]

It's on the left side of the frame. The scratching definitely shows U. S. N. Property over NOD 1543. I will take a real good look at everything when I get a chance.

[DWalt]

That would be a very unusual, if not unique, stamping. If you can, please take and post some clear pictures, also of anything stamped on the topstrap.

[oger]

Tried posting pictures with my phone no luck actually had to pull batt. out of phone to get it to work again.

[Absalom]

Originally Posted by oger

Tried posting pictures with my phone no luck actually had to pull batt. out of phone to get it to work again.

Any smartphone should automatically format the photos correctly. Try this:

Go to Go Advanced below the Quick Reply window, scroll down to Manage Attachments below the text window, click that and follow prompts to attach up to five pictures from your device’s photo library to your post.

[Targets Guy]

Mention is made in the Summer 2017 SWCA Journal of 2" Victory's shipping to Fort Mason, CA. They were billed to the Springfield Ordnance District (SOD). Maybe there was a DOD and/or a NOD. Navy Ordnance District??

[Rmasters3]

Just picked up a Victory, 38 Special, Serial # V64776. Can post pictures later, but can someone give me a ballpark date of manufacture? I assume fairly early with the 5 digit serial number. Thanks.

[ordnanceguy]

Oger has sent me the photos of V73 which I am posting here for him.

[Absalom]

Originally Posted by Rmasters3

Just picked up a Victory, 38 Special, Serial # V64776. Can post pictures later, but can someone give me a ballpark date of manufacture? I assume fairly early with the 5 digit serial number. Thanks.

Best guess is August/September 1942.