Colt Commando or SW Victory?

[PALADIN85020]

I consider both of these revolvers to be prime WWII collector items. I have a U.S. NAVY marked Victory (illustrated here) that was evidently refurbished for the Vietnam War; I also have one that has CIVIL DEFENSE scratched on the left side, and another I gave one of my daughters for self-defense in the People's Republic of Kalifornia.

The Commandos are a bit harder to obtain, but I did find a fairly nice one, also illustrated here.

I like 'em both!

John

 

[sodacan]

My collection is over 80% S&W, but I'd jump on the Commando, it being a much rarer item.

 

[Muley Gil]

Glad to see you picked the Colt Commando . That would of been my pick as well . As far as turning the barrels on Colts ? I have 2 Colts and both are " spot on " for accuracy , just the way they are . My next Colt will be either a Detective Special or a Colt New Service . Regards Paul

Go for the New Service. There are a whole lot more Dick Specials out there, as opposed to the big, brawny new Service.

 

[tenntex32]

I have a U.S. NAVY marked Victory (illustrated here) that was evidently refurbished for the Vietnam War

John, does your Vietnam refurb Victory have any arsenal (rework) stamps, or any other markings showing it may have been part of a formal rework program?

Thanks in advance,
Dale

 

[tenntex32]

My next Colt will be either a Detective Special or a Colt New Service.l

A Colt M1917 would fit the New Service slot quite nicely.

 

[tenntex32]

My next Colt will be either a Detective Special or a Colt New Service.l

And while yer at it you might as well add a S&W "Hand Ejector" M1917 too.

A Happy Thanksgiving Day to everyone and I hope ya'll have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

Dale

 

[PALADIN85020]

John, does your Vietnam refurb Victory have any arsenal (rework) stamps, or any other markings showing it may have been part of a formal rework program?

Thanks in advance,
Dale

None at all, Dale. My only clue is the later style ejector rod. It may have been a field replacement - ?? Quite a number of Victories were used in Nam. My high school ROTC buddy Ed Cribb had one issued to him - he was an Army Mohawk observation plane pilot, killed in action in 1963. He's the tall guy in this picture, dealing with a blown tire on his plane. Note the shoulder holster rig for his revolver, which includes a spare 12-round ammo holder.

John

 

[Miami_JBT]

The correct answer us get both.

 

[Absalom]

None at all, Dale. My only clue is the later style ejector rod. It may have been a field replacement - ??

There were no "official" post-war rework programs at US arsenals or the factory for the Victorys that we know of, unlike the programs for the 1917s between the wars.

The last formal re-work was the Navy contract from 1945 when 40,000 guns were refurbished and upgraded at the factory with the new safety.

But I'm sure that field repairs happened all the time. The Navy had way too many in inventory after the war and transferred these to anyone who needed some, Army, Air Force, Civil Defense, National Park Service, and so on.