Navy Victory issued to West German police: what holster?

gonzogeezer · Feb 22, 2024

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

ordnanceguy · Feb 22, 2024

gonzogeezer said:
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?

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

gonzogeezer · Feb 22, 2024

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?

ordnanceguy · Feb 23, 2024

gonzogeezer said:
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?

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

Ameshawki · Feb 24, 2024

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.

gunbarrel · Feb 24, 2024

I think this is it.

gonzogeezer · Feb 25, 2024

gunbarrel said:
I think this is it.

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

gonzogeezer · Mar 2, 2024

ordnanceguy said:
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

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

gonzogeezer · Mar 2, 2024

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

Navy Victory issued to West German police: what holster?

gonzogeezer

Member

ordnanceguy

SWCA Member

gonzogeezer

Member

ordnanceguy

SWCA Member

Ameshawki

SWCA Member

gunbarrel

SWCA Member

Attachments

gonzogeezer

Member

gonzogeezer

Member

gonzogeezer

Member

Similar threads

Latest posts