Navy Contract Victory

[Retired W4]

After CapeFearElvis' thread I got this out of the safe just to wipe it down. No, actually I wanted to fondle it! Not Navy marked but it shipped to United States Navy, Norfolk, VA on May 19, 1943. It's in pretty nice condition for one shipped in the middle of the war.

BTW, in my letter Roy state, "military midnight black finish".

 

[TJm15.38]

I like that revolver a lot.

 

[MelvinWalker]

I have to admit that I am coveting your gun...Very nice. I like how the grips meet the metal. You can tell it's just a time capsule.

 

[Baxter6551]

Very nice Victory OP ! Mine is pretty rough compared to your fine sample. I think mine saw use somewhere based on wear.
Have not lettered it. Serial V2970xx
My ejector rod is blued.

 

[Retired W4]

Very nice Victory OP ! Mine is pretty rough compared to your fine sample. I think mine saw use somewhere based on wear on stocks. Have not lettered it. Serial V2970xx

Yours is a real war horse. Mine was probably issued to a REMF.

My first unit in Vietnam issued me a Victory model. I only know that because it had that funky finish and the lanyard loop. Most everyone else had shiny model 10's

 

[chiefdave]

My first unit in Vietnam issued me a Victory model. I only know that because it had that funky finish and the lanyard loop. Most everyone else had shiny model 10's

Until I retired in '88 we used Victory's for annual qualifications. Ammo was usually headstamped from the 40's.

 

[S&W Neophyte]

I had a Victory Model I regret selling. I let it go because the lanyard loop was gone and the hole plugged. It had been commercially refinished with an odd looking bluing that had all but obliterated the property stamp and other markings. It still shot better than most guns I've owned and I wish I'd held onto it.

 

[dobegrant]

Very nice piece of history

 

[ordnanceguy]

Retired W4:

Nice looking Victory there. Is it listed in the SWCA Database? If not, would you please provide me with the complete serial number so that it can be added?

Is the ejector rod blued or Black Magic finished? Hard to tell on my screen here.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[Retired W4]

Retired W4:

Nice looking Victory there. Is it listed in the SWCA Database? If not, would you please provide me with the complete serial number so that it can be added?

Is the ejector rod blued or Black Magic finished? Hard to tell on my screen here.

Regards,
Charlie

Hi Charlie,
I probably posted this one back in 2012 so you might have it already.
V267332. Hard to tell about the finish on the ejector rod in person. It appears to be the same as the rest of the gun. The SN is on the grip panel but it's scattered all over.
Tom

 

[jpage]

I have an unmarked Victory, #257xxx, pretty close to the OP's. Were USN shipments in standard amounts such as 500 or 1000 ? Hoping one of the Victory gurus reads this.

 

[ordnanceguy]

Thank you, Tom.

The ejector rod should be blued. If it is the same finish as the rest of the revolver then that indicates that the rod, and perhaps the entire gun, may have been refinished. I can't tell on my screen so I'll leave that judgment up to you.

Regards,
Charlie

 

[Retired W4]

I think you just burst my bubble Charlie. All the roll marks and stampings look so crisp. No arsenal marks either. Oh well.

Learning something new every day.