Charlie Flick nailed it and Roy confirmed...

[tsellati]

...that my 1943 S&W Victory revolver was issued to the U.S. Navy . Here are some pictures of the revolver with its documentation -

Apparently, some of these revolvers were pressed into service by U.S. Navy personnel, but, did not have markings to indicate such issuance. This example only has the "Flaming Bomb/U.S. Property/G.H.D." stamp on the top strap above the cylinder -

Now I just have to find a nice period U.S.N. holster for this revolver. If anyone has a pistol belt or shoulder version for sale or knows where one it please drop me a PM.

Tim

 

[TACC1]

Very nice looking! For safe, or shooting? I'm not familiar with the rarity of these, bet that letter brightens up your day. TACC1

 

[DCWilson]

That's a really good-looking Victory, and I bet the documented early history makes it especially appealing to you. Nice one!

 

[tsellati]

Very nice looking! For safe, or shooting? I'm not familiar with the rarity of these, bet that letter brightens up your day. TACC1

As much as I loathe to say it, I will probably let "her" relax in the safe. I have a shooter pre-Model 10 that I can give a good work-out at the range. This Victory is just too pretty and collectible to risk devaluation.

Tim

 

[tsellati]

That's a really good-looking Victory, and I bet the documented early history makes it especially appealing to you. Nice one!

Yes, though I wish the historical records were more informative (as I assume we all do) and told us something about the Theater of Operation to which the revolver was sent from Norfolk, VA.

Tim

 

[opoefc]

Victory Models with close serial numbers to V305488, were provided the ROTC at Notre Dame Univ. and then later sent to Ft. Myers for "Disposal" which may explain the top strap markings not usually seen on USN Victory Models. At the time this gun, V305488, was made the Navy had no inspectors at the plant to inspect Navy revolvers, and about 30% of the guns were rejected by the Navy , due to defects. So it may be possible that the Navy turned over some of these rejects to other users, such as the ROTC, rather than return them to S&W for repairs. ( The Army did have onsite inspectors at the S&W plant, but they did not inspect guns made for Navy contract orders.) Ed.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Tim:

Glad to hear that estimate I gave you a while back was accurate. The Victory Model Database, which my pal LWCmdr45 and I administer, has been continually refined and is now pretty darn accurate in the ship date estimates we can give to collectors.

Thanks for posting the factory letter data. I will incorporate it into the Database, a process which over time helps to further refine the Database.

Enjoy that nice Victory.

 

[Dragon88]

Very nice. Congrats on your Victory and documentation.

 

[Frank237]

Congrat's ! Nice when a letter works out in your favor.

I've got a Victory model with the ultra rare OSS red insert frt sight used for clandestine night Ops.

My FIL's gun from the Air Corps, that he had red ramped in the 70's. At least he took care of it, shot it very little, then passed it on to me.

FN in MT

 

[JSR III]

That is a beautiful Victory model. I would love to find one like that but all I am finding are pretty rough. Where did you find it if I may inquire?

 

[digi-shots]

Congrats!

Very nice looking Victory model and I'm happy for you that it lettered to the U.S. Navy.

During WWII Norfolk, Virginia had and still has the largest Navy base in the world. There's a good chance yours was either used locally or put on one of the many Navy ships that were based there during WWII.

 

[tsellati]

Victory Models with close serial numbers to V305488, were provided the ROTC at Notre Dame Univ. and then later sent to Ft. Myers for "Disposal" which may explain the top strap markings not usually seen on USN Victory Models. At the time this gun, V305488, was made the Navy had no inspectors at the plant to inspect Navy revolvers, and about 30% of the guns were rejected by the Navy , due to defects. So it may be possible that the Navy turned over some of these rejects to other users, such as the ROTC, rather than return them to S&W for repairs. ( The Army did have onsite inspectors at the S&W plant, but they did not inspect guns made for Navy contract orders.) Ed.

I do not dispute your history regarding the disposition of some revolvers originally shipped to the U.S. Navy. However, despite the "Flaming bomb/U.S. Property/G.H.D." marking on the top-strap, this is not a Navy reject that made its way to the ROTC.

This revolver is flawless in fit, finish, and function at the range. There was/is no basis for thinking this particular example did not pass muster with the U.S. Navy and was diverted elsewhere. It clearly saw little if any action with whatever sailor/pilot received it and it will see no more with me after having function tested it at the range (POI = POA for two cylinders-worth at 7 yards ).

Tim

 

[scha]

According to Charles Pate's excellent book - US Handguns of WWII, he explains that only 65,000 Victory Revolvers were marked "US NAVY" and these were those ordered directly by the Navy in 1942. He explains that military small arms ordered after mid 1942 were all ordered under US Army contracts. These revolvers are typically marked "US PROPERTY GHD" on the top strap. According to Pate, while some of these later Victory revolvers were issued to the Army, most of these revolvers were also issued to the US Navy.

Based on Pate's research, it should be quite common for a Victory revolver to be marked "US PROPERTY GHD" and letter as being shipped to the US Navy.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[tsellati]

According to Charles Pate's excellent book - US Handguns of WWII, he explains that only 65,000 Victory Revolvers were marked "US NAVY" and these were those ordered directly by the Navy in 1942. He explains that military small arms ordered after mid 1942 were all ordered under US Army contracts. These revolvers are typically marked "US PROPERTY GHD" on the top strap. According to Pate, while some of these later Victory revolvers were issued to the Army, most of these revolvers were also issued to the US Navy.

Based on Pate's research, it should be quite common for a Victory revolver to be marked "US PROPERTY GHD" and letter as being shipped to the US Navy.

Hope this helps.

Steve

Steve,

Yes, this information is very helpful and much appreciated. One of these days I will have to breakdown and buy Pate's book, it's just so darn expensive even when you do find a copy for sale .

Tim