Navy Victory ??

[PistolPackinDaDa]

This a.m. noticed an ad on the guns for sale/ "Smith and Wesson 5 screw Victory Revolver with original holster, cleaning rod and lanyard. I got this from a relative of a WWII PB4Y1 (B-24) pilot. Comes with a very interesting letter of provenance I received outlining his 40 year career in naval avation." Seller said it had the GHD-Government property mark but nothing relating to the USN. My question is, if the pistol was issued to a Naval Aviator wouldn't it have some sort of USN markings on the top strap or left side? I am not doubting the claims of the seller. Perhaps there were exceptions where the USN would have issued weapons without the USN markings ???

Thanks in advance,

Pistol Packin.........

 

[Art Doc]

Not an expert but I think some Navy guns are not marked as such. I have one from 1942 that letters as a Navy contract gun but has no USN markings.

 

[opoefc]

Lots of Victory models were sent to the US Navy and then issued to various naval & Marine Corp units and were never marked or stamped with a Navy ownership stamp. The only way to tell for sure about your gun would be to get a factory historical letter from Roy Jinks that will give you the date shipped from S&W and to what destination. If you post the serial number here, we can tell you where close serial numbers were shipped, which is a clue, but not a guaranty as to where your gun was shipped. Ed.

 

[Citiboy289]

I picked up a Victory last year, It was not NAVY MARKED , I sent off to S&W to get a " letter " , Came back saying when it was made and that it was shipped to US NAVY Norfolk VA --- shipped under NAVY Contract V2796XX , shipped 05/04/43

 

[mtime7]

I believe, and maybe wrong, that sometime along production the army took over the overseeing production of all victory models. Hence the army acceptance marks, but were shipped to the Navy.

 

[hsguy]

Most Navy Victory's are not "Navy" marked. Perhaps Ed can chime in here but 38 SPL Victory's that are marked U.S. Property often turn out to be Navy guns as the other branches of the military did not normally issue them. The 38 SW guns mostly went to the Allies and 38 SPL guns not marked "U.S. Property" often letter to defense contractors. As with all rules there are exceptions, some very interesting.

 

[scha]

According to Charles Pate's book - US Handguns of WWII, the "US NAVY" marked Victory revolvers were the first 65,000 or so that were ordered directly by the Navy. After those early 1942 orders, all subsequent Victory revolvers were ordered from Smith & Wesson under US Army contracts. These revolvers were typically marked "US PROPERTY GHD" on the top strap. Most of these Victory revolvers, however, were also issued to the US Navy. While a small number of 38 Victory revolvers were used by the Army, most military 38 revolvers were Navy guns.

Hope this helps.

Steve

 

[j38]

I have 2 Victory revolvers that lettered to the Navy - one in Oakland, the other in Norfolk. Neither is Navy marked - only U.S. Property GHD.

Regards,

Jerry

 

[PistolPackinDaDa]

Thanks to all for the quick responses. I learned a little more today !

 

[Texas Star]

The Victory Models that we had in the USAF in the 1960's were said to be Navy transfers, only some so marked.

These guns were used until we had enough M-15 Combat Masterpieces. The Viet war caused a shortage of revolvers, and the new ones had priority for war zones and SAC use.

On one base where I served, only officers and senior NCO's got the M-15's. There were some remnant .45 autos, but not a lot. (However, a base in Newfoundland had ONLY .45's, because there was an agreement with the Canadians that they'd get the supplies when the base closed. So, there was no incentive to update the .45's and M-2 carbines.)