Hello All,

I have a 1944 Navy contract Victory revolver. A stamp on the backstrap shows it was issued to the Württemberg-Baden police, in the American Zone of Occupation (LP-WB). I’m fairly certain of the timing of this because Württemberg-Baden changed its name to Baden-Württemberg in 1952.

My questions are about what the correct holster would have been for this piece.

I know the Navy used the M3 shoulder holster, I’m assuming for pilots and flight crews. What belt holster was used by the Navy? The regular “US” flap holster?

What holster would have been used by my Victory in the police force? Some surplus holster, the Navy-issued belt holster, or would they have procured something more in keeping with their uniforms and standards?


Thanks for any information.

Lee

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-gonzo, SoCenPA.

Hello Lee:

During WW2 the Navy, the Marines and the Coast Guard used as belt holsters for the Victory Model a russet leather flap holster as seen below. It was unmarked but was manufactured by Brauer Brothers.



Post-war West German police forces using the Victory revolvers supplied by the U.S. used a black leather flap holster of local origin. I don't have a picture of one handy right now.

What's the serial number of your Victory? I'd like to add it to the Victory Model Database.

Hope this helps you.

Regards,
Charlie

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Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

Thank you for the information, Charlie. My gun may already be in the database, 477248.

I also have a 5” Victory in .38 S&W with British proofs. Do you record them in your database as well?

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-gonzo, SoCenPA.

Thank you, Gonzo. No, your .38 Spec. was not in the Database but it is now.

Yes, we do record information on 5" .38 S&W guns. In addition to the barrel length and caliber we record the current finish, the stock type, the left top strap markings, any post-factory applied markings (such as the British proofs you mentioned or import marks), and any post-factory modifications such as cut barrels or rechambering. Factory letter data is especially helpful.

Please let me know the details on your 5 incher.

Regards,
Charlie

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Charlie Flick
SWCA 729 HF 215

It was a standard European style flap holster in black. I have one somewhere in the pile. They turn up on eBay from time to time.

I think this is it.

Attached Images

Screenshot_20240224-110426~3.jpg (20.3 KB, 53 views)

The hold down tab looks very similar to German authority holsters in my collection. Thanks for the information.

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-gonzo, SoCenPA.

Charlie here are some photos of the British Victory.
S&W Victory .38 5**� Lüneburg Polizei - Google Photos

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-gonzo, SoCenPA.

I have another question about these two Victory revolvers. The
Navy 4” is stamped “38 S. & W. SPECIAL CTG”. The British 5” is stamped “38 S. & W. CTG”. Now, both have the longer .38 Spl cylinders and both will chamber both .38 S&W and .38 Spl cartridges. So my question is: does it matter which caliber I shoot in which gun? Judging by eye, both bullets appear to fit both muzzels to the same depth, with the S&W fitting further in than the Spl.

Thanks.
Lee

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-gonzo, SoCenPA.