Confirmed OSS S&W Victory!

[wojak122]

Some time ago i have published photos of my revolver here. I suspected that it was produced for the OSS because it does not have the US Propoerty inscription and the military acceptance in the form of a burning grenade. In addition, it has the W mark on the grip. Now it has been confirmed by a factory letter! My revolver was sold on December 21, 1943 on a government order and delivered to the OSS warehouse in Rosslyn. What's more, I probably deciphered the W symbol! Together with the certificate, I received a purchase invoice. Notice that in the upper left corner you have the contract number starting with ... W! In my opinion revolvers from this contract (it numbered 2610 pieces) have the letter W denoting this special contract!
Greetings from Poland
Bartosz Skolik from Arsenal Silesia (gun store)

 

[DWalt]

I wonder what markings were machined off the frame? First letter of second line could be M

 

[wojak122]

Bavarian Municipal Police After WW2 this revolver as many other OSS ones was used by german police.

 

[Bald1]

I know it says it went to Navy but what does OSS stand for?

 

[stansdds]

OSS, Office of Strategic Services, the precursor to the CIA.

 

[wojak122]

Yes, OSS warehouse in Rosslyn, VA belonged to US Navy

Photos from OSS Pistols | Jan C. Still Lugerforums

 

[Hawg Rider]

Yes, the Navy and the CIA are closely associated. I had a fraternity brother in college in the 1970s who attended OCS for the Navy after college graduation. He dropped out before graduating OCS and joined the CIA. Although he was working for the CIA, the CIA "commissioned him as a Navy 2nd Lieut."...I guess that was his cover story. Interesting!

 

[Muley Gil]

Yes, the Navy and the CIA are closely associated. I had a fraternity brother in college in the 1970s who attended OCS for the Navy after college graduation. He dropped out before graduating OCS and joined the CIA. Although he was working for the CIA, the CIA "commissioned him as a Navy 2nd Lieut."...I guess that was his cover story. Interesting!

That is interesting, as the Navy has Lieutenants, Junior Grade (JG) and Lieutenants, but no 2nd Lieutenants.

Usual officer grades in the Navy are ensign, lieutenant JG, lieutenant, lieutenant commander, commander and captain. Then come the admirals.

 

[DWalt]

The CIA does not use military-type hierarchy ranks (such as Lieutenant, Captain, Colonel, etc.) but those holding active military ranks can be seconded to the CIA under certain limited circumstances. In general, active duty military personnel cannot also be CIA employees. The usual implication is that guns shipped to USN in Rosslyn (a Virginia DC suburb) were destined for OSS use. And maybe other stuff besides guns.

 

[kwill1911]

Yes, the Navy and the CIA are closely associated. I had a fraternity brother in college in the 1970s who attended OCS for the Navy after college graduation. He dropped out before graduating OCS and joined the CIA. Although he was working for the CIA, the CIA "commissioned him as a Navy 2nd Lieut."...I guess that was his cover story. Interesting!

Yeah, doesn't work that way.

 

[stansdds]

I was a USN colonel in the CIA, assigned to the SSS, Super Secret Spy department... think maybe I could have used that as a pick-up line in a bar?

 

[Valmet]

My Victory was shipped to Office of Naval SS at Norfolk on Aug 22, 1944. One of a shipment of 250.

 

[Retired W4]

I was a USN colonel in the CIA, assigned to the SSS, Super Secret Spy department... think maybe I could have used that as a pick-up line in a bar?

That might work. You never know.

This Victory model has the W stamped on the butt, so I requested a letter. It was shipped, along with several others to the Illinois state AG (1 star general for the National Guard). That was a waste of $80.

 

[wojak122]

That might work. You never know.
This Victory model has the W stamped on the butt, so I requested a letter. It was shipped, along with several others to the Illinois state AG (1 star general for the National Guard). That was a waste of $80.

US Property mark present?
It has also a flamming bomb next to W?

 

[Retired W4]

US Property mark present?
It has also a flamming bomb next to W?

Yes to both questions.

 

[wojak122]

OSS guns what i know:
1. Don't have US Property stamp.
2. Don't have flamming bomb acceptance stamp
3. Have "W" letter on butt nex to serial number
4. Have "P" military acceptance mark